With the release of their 4th studio album, Electric Needle Room (brothers, Matt and Steven Beat) seem to be at the top of their game. Safe, Effective and Fun has a more evolved and focused sound than heard on previous records, adding more kooky keyboard and synth noise with "techy" electro drum beats, somewhat recalling the midi-gamer aspect of The Faint and Crystal Castles (One Good Friend, Here's What I Have To Say About Tomatoes), combined with catchy, off-tuned guitar riffs and almost Beach Boys-esque vocal harmonies (Oleaver's Pub Won't Let Us Play There Anymore, We might As Well Live A Little Bit Before We Die). There is also a new-found, slightly more aggressive and sped-up delivery to the songs than in the past, which is much more reminiscent of their actual live presence. The songs were all recorded over the course of a year or more, between the brothers' homes in Nebraska and Kansas, and carefully picked to bring the listener into a whole new realm of sociopolitical-pop perfection.
Electric Needle Room performs live with Bryan Poole on bass and background vocals and Daniel Lewis Diedrich on guitar and vocals. Bryan also added the bass part on "Midwestern City." Matt sings, plays piano, Casio keyboard instruments, guitar, and trumpet throughout the album while Steven plays percussion and provides cool sound effects. Artwork and album design was by Damon M. Marvin and the band photo was by Shannon Beat.
Links
City Weekly interview
