Review: Roulette.

Today, for your electronic music consideration, I would like to introduce you to a fantastic and shimmery record from Cicada, Roulette. Based out of London, England, Cicada consists of producers extraordinaires Aaron Gilbert (AKA Mr Natural) and Alex Payne, with the beautiful Heidrun Björnsdottir from Iceland taking reins of the vocals.

When I listen to Roulette, many words spring to mind. "Lush" would be one of them. So would "energetic," "playful," "sleek," and, my favorite, "soulful." (And, yes, I am a fan of the Oxford comma.) There's just so much to be found here in this sonic landscape, and I have made it my duty today to spread the gospel and explain the myriad reasons as to why you should include this sparkling gem in your record collection. So let's go, shall we?

Opening track "Falling Rockets" starts the proceedings off with a bang (sorry), launching (sorry again) from the speakers with all its electro-disco arsenal blazing. Beginning with shadowy and mysterious sound-effects that whisper in the ether, it then introduces a crisp and driving drumbeat that propels the listener into a series of whirlwind synthesizers that nicely complement Björnsdottir's dreamily icy (think of a Scandinavian Blondie) voice. Exciting stuff, this. When she sings, "So this is what they call entertainment!", hardly ever has a statement seemed so completely apt.

Coming up immediately, the funky grooves of "Metropolis" (their first single off the album) begin to wend their way into your ear. The technological imagery of the lyrics match the notes with a singular perfection that's screaming to be turned up, loudly. There's an edge of wistful melancholy to be had here, as well as some nifty sci-fi synthesizer effects floating around like abandoned satellites whizzing through the expanses of space. It's catchy and heart-felt in equal measures, and I can listen to it over and over again without it once getting boring or old.

For my money, I'd like to nominate track number three, "One Beat Away," as the standout song on Roulette. You've got some grooving guitar bits jangling in the back with a fantastic disco beat and a rolling bass line throbbing like a freight train - it's wonderful to listen to. And when the chorus sets in with a rousing "Oh, oh, oh, oh-oh-oh!" rising analog synths squelch in the background and raise this track to some serious heights. When they perform "One Beat Away" live, it's a veritable show-stopper, complete with an audience sing-along.

Roulette even features a couple of guest vocalists! Björn Synneby from the Swedish dance band Pacific! takes hold of the R&B-tinged "Talking," and Tom Smith of Editors lends his silver tongue to the rainy-day doldrums of the provocative "Executive." The latter of the two has a bit of a darker heart; with a lonely piano, a sexy bass, and the sampled sounds of an office interspersed throughout. Listening to it now, it really strikes a nerve - I think it would make wonderful bad-weather music!

There is a smorgasbord of highlights on Roulette that make it, in my opinion, perfect for listening all the way through, from front to back. There's the jumpy and fun "Psycho Thrills," a pure frolic with a disco heartbeat; "Don't Stare At The Sun," a track that proudly wears its 1980's synth-pop influences on its sleeve; and then there's the beautiful and vaguely sad "Green Light." Frankly, there's not a bum song on this album. I heartedly recommend it to one and all. It's geared to be a dance classic, one that starts off with a bang (sorry a third time) and doesn't lose sight of its aspirations once during its hour-long duration. Monsieurs Gilbert and Payne, with the gorgeous Ms Björnsdottir have knocked this one out of the park, and then some.

From Roulette, here's Cicada and the single "Metropolis."

... And here is "Psycho Thrills," as well!