When they were young, Irish natives Shaun Robinson and Rocky O’Reilly were probably the type of kids whose curiosity got the best of them, pushing buttons that read “Do Not Push” whenever possible. Years later, joining under the name Oppenheimer (supposedly because it sounded cool, not in reference to the famed Manhattan Project director), the two are still pushing buttons and tweaking control knobs, but with the purpose of producing their own gadget–infused tunes.
Following the success of their 2004 self-titled debut and its popular single “Breakfast in NYC,” the duo’s latest offering, Take the Whole Midrange and Boost It, continues their disarming fascination with synthesizer fuzz and boisterous, bright pop. The album combines the admitted infl uences of Brian Eno, Kraftwerk, and My Bloody Valentine with the spirited harmonies and concise compositions of Brian Wilson. Their musical approach does not lie in the coma-inducing stereotype that the layman listener associates with electronica. Every quirky tick in their songs is meant to further the energy of a melodic arrangement, crafting a sunnier doppelganger to Ben Gibbard’s Postal Service. From the beginning of their blitzing opener, “Major Television Events,” Robinson and O’Reilly act as kids burning off sugar highs with cheerleading handclaps, glockenspiel chimes, and amped-up guitar distortion.
– Mike Hilleary
Oppenheimer: www.oppenheimermusic.co.uk
Bar/None Records: www.bar-none.com