Junior Boys: Beyond Dull Care
Junior Boys: Beyond Dull Care
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Saturday, 23, May 2009 11:20
Domino, out now.
In a nutshell...
Shimmering synth pop from Canadian duo
What's it all about?
Beyond Dull Care is the third full length album from the Junior Boys and takes its inspiration from Scottish-born Canadian animator Norman McLaren. He was responsible for discovering direct film animation - a technique involving physically manipulating and painting on film. The pair claim that his cinematic work stirred the creative juices behind the eight songs on the album.
Who's it by?
Junior Boys are Jeremy Greenspan and Matthew Didemus, a pair of studio bods who've been noodling away since 2003. Constant bouts of touring with the likes of Hot Chip and techno-pop luminary Matthew Dear plus the beautiful electronics of albums So This is Goodbye and Last Exit, have won them a devoted global fanbase.
Throw in a DJ mix for the Get Physical imprint and an indirect Grammy nomination with Carl Craig for his reworking of Like A Child and they've got all the trappings of yer classic 21st century electro-pop act.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Thanks to techno and house behemoth Carl Craig's rerubbing, they've already been...
What the others say
"There's nothing awful on this album, it's more that superior background music is already made by the likes of Zero 7, Lemon Jelly and Mr Scruff. Listeners who just want to dance are better off waiting for the forthcoming Basement Jaxx record or checking out recent gems from Thunderheist and Röyksopp." - BBC6 Music
"It's interesting: Now that the atmosphere's more varied, individual tracks feel more naked, exposed. The overall vibe isn't as cohesively nighttime and frigid." - Stereogum
So is it any good?
Junior Boys have perfected the sweet trick of balancing wistful pop with a satisfying technified crunch and perform it ad infinitum on this third long-player. Critics would accuse them of treading water but Hazel, Parallel Lines and Work are all satisfying bouts of heartfelt robo funk. Fans of Metro Area and Matthew Dear or Manitoba and Animal Collective should find plenty to get their dentures into across all eight of the laid-back electronic shufflers flexing here. Whether you're a new convert or an older follower, Begone Dull Care is a fine snapshot of where all aural things both modern and pop are at in 2009.
7/10
Jim Ottewill