It would be irresponsible (and slightly hypocritical) for me to not mention the upcoming fundraiser on behalf of my radio station WMBR (http://wmbr.org). The facility to donate will be available for a week starting on 11/5 and any donation directed to the Breakfast of Champions – Thursday will net a compilation courtesy of me. And now, back to the music.

Spot The Difference

Zero 7 – Recently I found myself hostage to an ardent Zero 7 fan nattering on about the 70’s prog-rock style storyline running through all of their albums. I silently nodded and wondered if I should counter with my theories on the subliminal lyrical thrust of “Wildfire.” Truthfully it would have been too much for a bloke excited about a four album cycle concerning a meet-up for a cup of coffee. That being said, this song dazzles.

Vitalic – For some all you have to do is combine the words “French” and “electro” and effusive praise will follow. Vitalic’s latest is far more normal than their previous release which intertwined a classical music jones with the dancefloor hits. Predictable and cynical, yet sometimes obvious trumps the more intricate plans and machinations.

Maps – ‘Bout time someone caught the peace train to the blissful mountaintop inhabited by M83’s mellifluous synths (and little else). Maps amps the energy by melding some beats with their beauty in hopes of cashing in for a glittering prize. If they could only trim some of the fat off their land …

Tegan and Sara – I’ve ignored these darlings of the college-age crowd as little more than indigo possessors of a few clunky synths but each subsequent album brings them closer to fine as they’ve motorvated from chick-flick soundtrack wannabes to palatable retro remainders.

Red Wire Black Wire - Don’t ask me which one to cut, my decision will likely grind this whole mix thing to a halt. So if I’m still a willing participant is the now dilapidated post-post punk revival who else is standing beside me – those who fondly remember the first wave or those still craving the halcyon days of early Interpol?

Schlachthofbronx – OK, it’s not exactly scatology on a Tittsworth level but instead an aural history of the rude gesture where perhaps the pictoral will do. Otherwise a passable and possible German or New York or both house (or, uh, grime?) track that delivers on its title promise with the basest of manners.

Silver Starling – If you don’t mind drinking from a muddy puddle this beverage could slake your thirst for a driving swath of controlled noise burbling below some liberally applied grating and grinding.

Rubik – Once again bringing up the rear is a tune I can’t justify reserving, so therefore we get this mélange of handclaps and prog rock tempo changes and faux-falsetto chorus and whatever other trend worth chasing which might bring a few glitter-faced girls to the show.