Geometrid
Looper began as the side project ofBelle & Sebastianbassist Stuart David. Now he's doing the quirky techno gig full-time, and the proof is in Looper's strong sophomore release,The Geometrid. Owing a great deal to the influence of armchair techno geeks such asLand of the LoopsandBuckminster Fuzeboard, David's bouncy tracks aren't crafted for dance-floor action. Instead, the grooves become internally focused and never too heavy, never lacking a kernel of intrigue. "Modem Song" builds its thrust around a computer and a carrier signal, perhaps becoming the first call and response number for the binary set. "Uncle Ray" and "These Things" are more typical Looper, laid back and springtime fresh. Stuart's wife, Karn, sings backup, lifting songs such as "Tomorrow's World" into nitrous clouds.The Geometridmay be light, but its chipper disposition turns introverted techno into smart pop.--Jason Josephes