To Rococo Rot refined -- and perhaps perfected -- soft indie electronic pop with 1999's The Amateur View. What did that accomplishment leave them to do? Lesser groups would coast by on reputation, produce retreads of their most inspired moments, and wind up making records smaller in stature than that of their marginal imitators. It happens all the time, yet Hotel Morgen is no such example of this phenomenon. Five years on from its most inspired work, the group has remained creative as ever, if not nearly as stylistically unique. This record isn't about progressing or regressing, and one hesitates to refer to such a strong, enjoyable listen as a holding pattern. In fact, its flawlessly measured contrast between maximally fleshed-out, roundly structured melodic tracks and mood pieces makes for their most complete record to date. In spite of all the like-minded groups and bedroom producers who have sprung up since this one formed, Hotel Morgen shows how To Rococo Rot are now, ironically more than ever, in a class of their own.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo