The second album by German-Scots trio
Music A.M. continues the gossamer electro-pop of their debut. Musicians Volker Bertelmann and Stefan Schneider create delicate, lovely electro-beats for singer Luke Sutherland to decorate with his usually whispered, often barely audible vocals. Even the most driving tune here, "I Was Born to Make You Happy," with its chanted, deliberately repetitive vocal lines, is closer to
Brian Eno than
Donna Summer. Opener "Always" is more indicative overall, sounding for all the world like a shimmering, dreamy love song until one finally notices that the song's chorus basically consists of Sutherland repeatedly whispering the phrase "fuck you." Genteel and often almost relaxing, but with a subtle undercurrent of tension,
Unwound from the Wood is as refreshing as a gin and tonic on a hot summer day, with a similar kick. ~ Stewart Mason