Product Description

'Replica Sun Machine' is the second album from South Londonelectronica-influenced indie pop band The Shortwave Set. Aswell as furthering the band's unique sound, this release isproduced by Danger Mouse, influential producer and one halfof Gnarls Barkley. To add to the already stellar list of personnel, string arrangements on the album were overseen by Van Dyke Parks (having previously worked with Brian Wilson on'Pet Sounds', among many others) and John Cale of The Velvet Undergrouund can be heard playing viola. Musically, 'Replica Sun Machine' expands on the sample-led songs of their debut ('The Debt Collection') with a twenty-four piece orchestra and various instrumental augmentations.

Track Listing

1. Harmonia
2. Glitches N Bugs
3. Replica
4. House Of Lies
5. Now Till '69
6. Distant Daze
7. No Social
8. Yesterdays To Come
9. I Know
10. Sun Machine
11. The Downer Song

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7422 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-12
• Number of discs: 1

The Word
Replica Sun Machine is a revanchist's dream, a sun-kissed missive from psych-pop's golden age..their way with a tune is undeniable and when they hit the spot (the gorgeous Yesterdays To Come or the Flaming Lips-gone-glam euphoria of Now Til '69), the effect is cathartic

Customer Reviews

No replica of Debt Collector, but definitely a Sun Machine
I came to this with fresh ears, not having discovered their obviously well loved debut, which I am now buying on the strength of my huge enthusiasm for this sophomore effort. SS are off-kilter and gorgeous - it took me three or four listens for the music to begin to develop in my ears, but now it's taken hold of my head and my heart and won't let go. When I select this on my MP3 player, it lifts my whole day. No, it doesn't have the garage ethic of their debut (which is sounding very different but also excellent) but it's streets ahead of anything else coming out of the current UK indie scene. Overproduced? Hmm. Anyone listened to the recent crop of stuff coming out of the other producer-du-jour, Jacknife Lee. This is more about depth and development. Highlights include "Now Til 69" and... oh, dammit, the other 9 nine songs too.

Danger Doom
I was so looking forward to this album after their captivating debut, and the feature in a recent edition of The Guardian review. Sadly I have to admit that it's a major let down. I was so excited to hear about the inclusion of John Cale , Van Dyke Parks and Danger Mouse in to the production melting pot, but what happened. The first album was so inventive, relying heavily on its charity shop vinyl samples yes,but for me thats what made its so charming.Danger Mouse is quickly becoming the producer of choice for many bands across the whole spectrum, and to be honest, I think his sound is becoming a little dull. His work with Gorillaz and The Good the Bad and the Queen was exceptional(not to mention the Grey Album, DM and Jemini, etc.)But the Shortwave Set should have stuck to what they do best. I can understand that it must have been an amazing prospect to work with such a dazzling cast of artists but sometimes its the songs that count...A producer does not make a good album.

Need a Direction
Not quite sure what to make of this. I saw this band supporting Goldfrapp and they have a detached quality about them - but a sort of studied detachment, rather like posing in an affected manner. I was generally unimpressed but kept watching since there was a germ of something there - the different instruments, some of the samples etc. They ruined it for me with a heavy-metal workout at the end - pathetic actually, it was as though that's what they really got off on, but had to do trendy sampling things to get noticed.

So here's the second album. Actually I quite like the first one and thought this would really hit me (Dangermose connection, "names" playing a part and so on). No such luck. It remains "of interest". I really think they need to concentrate on something they really believe in - and do it well. This retro style material is so very very much better done by The Real Tuesday Weld, I suggest they use their musical talents and find something fresh - if they have the creativity to do that. They really must decide if they are a novelty item, a wimpy pop band, or whatever. Oh, I can't be bothered with them anymore. Sorry. The end.