This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
“Here’s a story for the kids,” yelps Ima Robot singer Alex Ebert by way of introduction on his group’s debut CD. But he isn’t talking about just any kids — the spiky electro-rock sound of this L.A. punk-pop quintet is definitely geared toward some specific demogrphics.
First and foremost, they’re sure to appeal to the young fans of Hot Hot Heat and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, thanks to the spastic grooves, sugar-buzz guitars, rubber-ball basslines and video-game synths of cuts like Dynomite. But there’s plenty here to attract the older crowd too. Like the Brainiac-style mania and Devo-inspired robo-grooves of these futuristically retro new-wave tunes. Or the glammy ice-disco mood swing of Bowie-inspired cuts like Dirty Life. And, most crucially, Ebert’s soaring snot-rocket vocals, which cunningly split the difference between Johnny Rotten and Sparks’ Russell Mael. Back it all up with Beck’s kinetically synchronized rhythm section and you have a treat for kids of all ages.
