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: #44981 in Music
• Released on: 2008-05-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

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

CD 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.

Customer Reviews

Don't be too hasty...
After their magnificent and defining first album I have waited for this second release with excitement and trepidation in equal measure.
The Shortwave Set have definately moved on musically and production-wise but have certainly not sacrificed their unique sound which still lives at the heart of each and every track.
I was initially wrong-footed by Replica Sun Machine. I'ts slightly less "hurdy-gurdy" than "The Debt Collection" and has a distinct flavour of psychedelia about it. As I listen to it I keep visualising outdoor festivals, flowery dresses and relaxing on scorching hot sunny days while watching the clouds drift by. At times I'm very much reminded of the "The Mamas and the Papas"
Please don't judge this album too hastily, especially if you're a big fan of their first release, Replica Sun Machine is a definite step away from their previous sound. It may take a little time to get used to this new fuller sound but if you give it the time to mature you'll see it compliments the songs without becoming overbearing.

Each track delights equally and I'm only too happy to leave the whole album on repeat without getting tired of even one second of it. The more you listen the more beautiful it becomes and it's 100% destined to be the soundtrack to my summer .....plus I just discovered in July they're going to be performing in a cow-shed less than 1/4 mile from my front door
Life just keeps on getting better.

May I be so bold as to say "well done" and a big "thank you" to all involved ?

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.

A disappointment
Apparently this album was finished by the band over a year ago, and then Danger Mouse contacted them to offer further production and...this is the result: Overproduced. WAY overproduced. There are some nice songs here, but the band is still essentially a fairly wonky outfit, and their often inane lyrics and flat vocals are unflatteringly highlighted by the crushingly dense production. None of the songs are allowed to breathe, and celebratory jams like Now til '69 simply don't work because it all sounds so calculated (and the joyous chorus of "it will never be quite the same again, no way!" is laughably flat, as if all the energy was drained from them at the exact moment the listener was supposed to feel exalted). The songs are mixed - similar to their previous album - but everything seems to be in the same key, so one flows into another with little variation. Based on this evidence I'd say The Shortwave Set have already made their musical statement, so you'd be better off with The Debt Collection.