Album Details

• Artist: Casiokids
• Album: Topp Stemming Pa Lokal Bar
• Label: Polyvinyl
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2010-07-09

Pay attention! There is so much going on in every song on this compilation of singles released over the last year by Casiokids, that any distraction would cause you to miss a whole world of hooks. "Topp stemming pa lokal bar" (roughly translated as "Great Vibe in the Local Bar") is groove rich dance music that experiments with other styles like crafty pop, krautrock and 80s techno. The Norwegian quintet has been together since 2005 and apparently has absorbed a massive amount of cool.

A big fuzzy keyboard riff, hypnotic and brash, underpins all 16 tracks, over which Casiokids layer drums, vintage video game blips, "Fot i Hose"-sludge ska guitar, slowed to a cold groove, matched with glittery percussion and that whimsical but groove keyboard main riff. This is a key track, as there are no less than three remixes (the aptly named "Lo-Fi Fnk Extension" isolating the main beats even more). Others are the icily hip "Verdens storste land," the childlike opener "Gront lys I alle led," or surefire dancefloor killers "En ville hest" and "Gormumamma." This is only the tip of the iceberg, as repeated spins of any track reveal layers or beats, cheeky vocal risks, and depth of production.

Casiokids have performed everywhere from clubs to schools and on the streets. They have been paying attention to all the sounds and rhythms available in each space. "Topp stemming pa lokal bar" is dizzying in its complex but seemingly simple jams.

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