Wonderland

DJ'ing celebrity parties, promoting clubs, crafting clubs tracks that sold well, running a successful label, and landing the big-name remixes (how's [wimpLink artistId="606"]Michael Jackson[/wimpLink] for big?) unfairly put [wimpLink artistId="3637200"]Steve Aoki[/wimpLink] on the hipster "hated-on" list, but this first "proper" release is an excellent argument that his talent deserves respect. Approach it in the mood for a high-gloss good time and [wimpLink albumId="21327591"]Wonderland[/wimpLink] does exactly what it does on the tin, taking the listener on a dancefloor adventure that begins with [wimpLink artistId="30157"]Weezer[/wimpLink] member [wimpLink artistId="3500116"]Rivers Cuomo[/wimpLink] making moping sound triumphant during the electro-mover "Earthquakey People." This pumped-up journey continues as [wimpLink artistId="3859873"]NERVO[/wimpLink] joins [wimpLink artistId="3576750"]LMFAO[/wimpLink] for the cheeky fun "Livin' My Love," a track that would be considered an incredibly hip choice if it were labeled "Italo disco." The [wimpLink artistId="6413"]Lil Jon[/wimpLink] and [wimpLink artistId="3668998"]Chiddy Bang[/wimpLink] cut is a big rush on the club tip, as is the [wimpLink artistId="3603175"]Kid Cudi[/wimpLink] and [wimpLink artistId="3805047"]Travis Barker[/wimpLink] team-up only with more of a spacy flavor, and when [wimpLink artistId="55758"]will.i.am[/wimpLink] dons his mask and becomes his alter-ego [wimpLink artistId="6190039"]Zuper Blahq[/wimpLink], "Dangerous" winds up the highlight for fans who don't think [wimpLink artistId="7806"]the Black Eyed Peas[/wimpLink] get silly often enough. Never mind that "Steve Jobs" sounds more Namco than Apple, or that [wimpLink artistId="3637200"]Aoki[/wimpLink] wraps trance, electro-house, and dubstep into one flashy ball that genre fans might find frustrating; he's a fine producer who crafts complementary backgrounds for his guests, plus he has an excellent understanding of melody and song structure, garnishing his tracks with clever touches that are complicated enough to suggest he's done a scale run or two. Towering above it all is the curveball choice of [wimpLink artistId="4020092"]Sick Boy[/wimpLink] -- veteran punks and former members of [wimpLink artistId="3606095"]the Exploited[/wimpLink] and [wimpLink artistId="3647079"]Die Kreuzen[/wimpLink] -- who join [wimpLink artistId="3637200"]Aoki[/wimpLink] to worship '80s industrial music on the [wimpLink artistId="3527085"]Skinny Puppy-ish[/wimpLink] monster "The Kids Will Have Their Say." Now that's a [wimpLink albumId="21327591"]Wonderland[/wimpLink]. ~ David Jeffries