Fake French

Sounding a lot like Wire, Mk II (post-punk, pre-punk-revisited), El Guapo bring together smart hooks, a subtle mix of electronics and traditional rock arrangements, half-spoken half-sung vocals mixed somewhat low, and smart lyrics. Good pop sense but held in check by the limitations of their vocalists. Maybe they should tour with Wire as a tribute band, as did the Ex-Lion Tamers, who did Wire, Mk I, songs to open for Wire Mk II.

1. Electronic throb underlying a jolly pop tune
2. Eurodisco-like arrangement (Giorgio Moroder's "I Feel Love", anyone), but the vox are supremely detached
3. Cool loose bassline
4. Befitting the title, Space Tourist, the melody and vocals here take off for parts unknown
5. Swirling synth, call-and response simple vocals
6. Bored-sounding French phrases interleaved with detached English-language nonsense; tune turns more catchy after midpoint
7. Lyrics animated by the same forces as those that drive The Matrix - paranoia of systems controlling everything; cool music
8. Circus music vibe, lyrics about the end of the Sun, and the singer drolly declaring that he won't be here then so "I Don't Care"
9. Almost a Sixties spy-theme vibe with its muted twangy guitar
10. Pretty decent hook but the vocals, especially the backing vox, are totally drag-ass
11. Must-be-a-joke lyrics but the tune rocks nicely along
12. Mild waltz