Bis: Music for a Stranger World : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Originally the Scottish darlings of hyper-sonic, chirpy Brit pop, Music finds Bis following down the trail of Eighties synth darlings Human League. A bit late, perhaps considering Jaque Lu Cont of Les Rythmes Digitales and the Daft Punk duo were championing the Eighties revival a few years ago, but this EP is still an enjoyable discoteque romp. Vocalist Manda Rin has left behind her pip-squeak cheerleader yelps in honor of echo chamber harmonies with Sci-Fi Steve and John Disco. It's music that would sit quite suitably sandwiched between Adam and the Ants and the Teletubbies. Lyrically, it's as tangible as an argument over M&M colors, but melodies like "Dead Wrestlers" are quite solid. Adopting the use of the sampler more than ever before, tracks like "Beats at the Office" are interesting, though not as inventive. Not their best effort, but it certainly shows earlier accolades weren't a fluke. (JOLIE LASH)