Tyro

A few years ago, scores of bands made painfully self-conscious attempts at the big alternative to electronic crossover, or vice versa. These days, effectively integrating the two without gargantuan production isn't such a tough call. Tyro does it almost seamlessly. This is essentially a lo-fi, guitar-driven pop-rock album in the spirit of Lush and the like, with abundant UK-style melodies and girlie vocals. However, keys and loops are employed throughout, in both the upbeat head-boppers and the moody numbers. Sure, this isn't rocket science and some songs are half-assed, but hearing bleeps and electro-fuzz basking in the limelight with strummy guitars and big drums is somehow innately pleasing. Honk if you love democracy.