Zombi

On Spirit Animal (this Pittsburgh, PA duo's latest Relapse release), the basic drum plus synth set up was given a rock upgrade, with anthemic guitar parts and cubic prog clusters aplenty. From the opening title track it's obvious that the path they follow this time has circled back into Tangerine Dream and Giorgio Moroder (or even Jan Hammer) territory. Steve Moore's arpeggios and echoes bounce out into the cosmic void, given propulsion by Anthony Paterra's steady kick drum foot, but not much else happens. We passengers can watch as light speed makes stars into streaks across the windshield, but the trip doesn't promise a destination. And it's a brief trip, barely half an hour of quasi-nostalgic theme music suitable for neon lighting, coke spoons and frosted glass room dividers. If you're ready for that, break out the deck shoes and roll up your blazer sleeves, we're heading out.