Ghostland Observatory

Less rock and more electro than their past two albums, Robotique Majestique falls somewhere between Daft Punk, Depeche Mode, Front 242, Mars Volta and just about any soundtrack to any sci-fi movie set in outer space. Not such bad company for the Austin duo. They sound like androids on stimulants, mixing clinky staccato beats, dramatic reverb, funky breaks, gritty industrialism and art rock theatrics. Bringing the human into their robot rock is Aaron Behrens' quirky Freddie Mercury falsetto, which is as boisterous as ever here; just listen to "Heavy Heart" and the dark and dirty "HFM."

The two Austin dudes in Ghostland Observatory like electro rock with extra drama — which
might be why the duo's rhythm/production ace Thomas Turner often wears a cape. On
their third disc, released on their own Trashy Moped label, they've got an over-the-top
sound to match their style: Robotique Majestique is a sexy mash-up of Eighties synths, Euro
pop-metal hooks and twenty-first-century sleaze. Turner and shades-sporting si... More >