Much like his other releases for Tigerbeat6 (and this could apply to the label in general),
Electric Company (
Medicine's
Brad Laner) can't sit still to save his artistic life. Throughout
Creative Playthings' 18 tracks there lies an interesting hybrid of indie rock and electronic laptop wizardry, akin to labelmates
Dwayne Sodahberk and
Stars as Eyes. Much like its title, the album invokes a spirit that is childlike and innocent, complete with upbeat melodies, frantic beats, and rapid-fire edits, bleeps, and noises. The hyperactivity abounds -- with one idea jumping to the next without apology and ideas never fully coming to fruition. One of the most notable highlights comes as the end of the record: if played on a computer CD drive, a whole slew of secret MP3s are included, another full-length album of material that almost bests anything on the proper album. Also included in the MP3 batch is a beautiful live performance from 1998. Song titles withstanding, it's an IDM album the whole family can enjoy. ~ Rob Theakston