Seefeel

Immediately following their magnificent performance at Warp Records' 20th anniversary celebration, the recently reunited Seefeel were greeted by label co-founder Steve Beckett, who supposedly pleaded with the band to make another record. They answered back with Seefeel, the UK electro-shoegazers' fourth full-length and first in 15 years, an album that skilfully mimics their original output (1993 to 1996), covering vast territories in relatively short intervals. Between the heavily processed "O-on One" and the headily progressed "Aug30," Seefeel explore more than they retread, presenting the listener with tracks that sound like they're floating along amiably ("Dead Guitars") and pulled across steampunk's muddy pasture ("Airless"). "Rip-Run" and "Sway," the only tracks that feature vocals from the ineffaceable Sarah Peacock, cast such a warming glow over most of the album's chrome-plated electronics that it's easy to see why Beckett so desperately needed them to return. Nice call, Steve!