This album by pacificUV is pretty great. On the EP side-- the opener
isn’t my favorite but is still way cool; it takes those four minutes to
warm up and punch out “Chemical”, a swarm of synth and dynamics
and funny noises that doesn’t cease to be interesting. Then “50s”,
a dream pop ballad that can be envisioned on the credit reel of a
weepy indie movie (but I still really like it). Then comes “Lapd v. Nypd”,
(remix off their 2003 album) which feels like a race between your
eardrums and your mind’s attempt to make sense of it; it’s noisy and
it’s wonderful, but may not translate well over radio and sounds very
different from the original. Then, Chrysalis—starting out with a remix of
“Ballerina” (think of the original with several more drum layers added),
followed by “Lakes”, a new track with XX-esque sentiments. A remix
of “Sunday Night Dream” follows, a dragging instrumental track that
feels like it takes seven years to get through. Then a very twee “Please
Please Please” that isn’t bad but rather predictable. Then, “The
Archduke”, which feels a lot like ‘Sunday Night Dream Redux’ but with
vocals. Chrysalis ends with a live version of “Funny Girl”, which sounds
weirdly polished outside of its typical electronic setting, but sung well
nonetheless. (The word twee comes to mind, however.) The album
overall is radio-friendly and worth a listen. The parts I critique are more
in favor of the original versions of the remixes; this album alone is very
nice phonetically (except tracks 7, 8, and 10 for me). There ya go.
