Starting with 1996's
We Are the Music Makers album,
Joy Electric dispensed with drum loops and samplers, using just keyboards to create their intricate, bouncy dance-pop. Thematically, the album uses medieval times and the Crusades as metaphors for keeping faith and love in a corrupt world. Musically,
We Are the Music Makers incorporates some of the darker elements
Joy Electric explored in
Five Stars for Failure into their signature bright, animated pop. While the beats on this album are too similar and tend to blend the songs together, "I Beam, You Beam," "Burgundy Years" and "Old Castle Madrigal" are among
We Are the Music Makers' finest moments.