Shit Robot
From The Cradle To The Rave
Influential Irish Post-New Yorker and member of the DFA family, Marcus Lambkin is known for his unique danceable mix of disco and synth-pop, electro and punk-funk. He got his pseudonym from the Shit Robot party; named after a crap robot drawing by James Murphy. After nearly two decades of DJ’ing and a handful of 12-inch releases, Lambkin is unveiling his first full-length guest-laden album From the Cradle to the Rave. It’s released on James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy’s New York label like his previously released singles that are all featured on the album, and it has the polished and retro signature sounds of the DFA template. All nine tracks features vocals and Lambkin himself goes solo on the two opening tracks.
Opener “Tuff Enuff” is a bouncy and energizing piece of a German-sounding 808 pattern with a deep steady bassline and sweeping synths. “I Found Love” follows with funk-driven electric bass and handclap rhythms. The vocals are cheeky, and the whole production sounds very leftfield. “Losing My Patience” featuring Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor sounds pretty much like a poppy italo Hot Chip track. His melancholic falsetto fits well with lush backing keys and machinelike 8-bit tones. “Take Em Up” with LCD keyboardist Nancy Whang is a shiny synth-pop gem, making you dream of a band named Pet Shop Girls. “Simple Things” featuring D.C. indie icon Ian Svenonious and one of the strongest singles of 2009, opens like a New Yorkian post-disco tune and moves into an old school Chicago piano-house vibe midway. Ian’s spoken/screaming vocals over the bassline and piano keys, makes for an irresistible dancefloor filler. “Answering Machine” featuring Planningtorock is atmospheric and dark late 70’s disco, with theatrical violins and moody cellos. “I Got a Feeling” is the strongest cut on the album and it features Saheer Umar of House of House. It’s a hypnotic Detroit techno track with a break in the middle and classic rave pianos. Saheer’s vocals echo over wobbly basslines and epic keys.
From the Cradle to the Rave has a high “cool” factor, almost too cool; perfect for any semi-ironic hipster party. But it has the elements of a classic house album, filled with analog synths, heavy basslines and nonchalant vocals. Shit Robot has a unique sound, even flirting with acid and cosmic; like Lindstrom & Christabelle’s evil cousin.
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