A is an album of moderately successful techno beats surrounding one overwhelming track -- the retro-disco wonderbox that is "Shangri-La" (the single that became their biggest hit) -- so much so that most listeners may skip ahead to it again and again. And indeed, it's a terrific track, based heavily on
Silvetti's 1977 hit, "Spring Rain," but, in a way, better: Here's
Denki Groove's singing at its most pop, here's a terrific drum track, and here's all the extra instruments the original lacked. The rest, well, doesn't follow from where "Shangri-La" leaves off: The group's vocal contributions are mostly reduced to shouted chants. But bright spots abound, as well. "Parachute" has a mid-track shift that turns its techno attack into a spacey shuffle. "Wicked Jumper" is drum'n'bass slowed down and grown underwater. And "CATY Summer" gives
Aphex Twin a run for the money. Certainly not one of their best, but will reward listeners who stick with it.