A Million Microphones

Always Never Again, the former El Guapo bandmembers' first album as Supersystem, felt a little bit like an afterthought to the dance-punk trend, although its nods to world music kept it from being totally derivative. A Million Microphones finds Supersystem honing in on the unique parts of their sound, resulting in an album that's at once sharper and sleeker than their debut and more eclectic. While the hip-hop-tinged opening track and brash, bratty "White Light White Light" are great examples of the band's edgy dance-rock, the album's most interesting tracks go farther afield. "Earth Body Air" flirts with electro and has a heavy, heavy synth bassline that bubbles and sucks everything in like a tarpit. "The Lake," meanwhile, has intricate guitar work, a loping rhythm, and an odd, lilting melody that makes it sound a little like Kraftwerk performing a West African folksong. "Prophets" takes this exotic influence in a more rock direction, while "Eagles Fleeying Eyries," with its tale of a battle between birds and hunters and its prickly harps and lock-step beats, emphasizes Supersystem's interest in juxtaposing folkloric and modern themes and sounds. Based on "Joy"'s mention of city dwellers "making up songs" and "The Pinnacle of Experience" -- a song about taking drugs that underscores how impossible it is to convey what's great about taking drugs to those who don't partake -- that interest extends to creating their own urban folktales. A Million Microphones isn't perfect: Supersystem's moody melodies and the crisp coldness of their music can sound stiff and repetitive. And, as on Always Never Again, the vocals aren't as strong, or compelling, as their surroundings. However, the band has made real progress in making songs full of intriguing sounds and ideas, even if they don't always connect. ~ Heather Phares