Programmed to Love

Description

EDITORIAL REVIEWS AMAZON.COM Though they've been compared to everyone from Air to Radiohead, Nottingham, England's Bent are mostly defined by their determination to sound like everyone. With that goal in mind, they've stuffed Programmed to Love with an array of samples from vocalists and snippets from jazz, rock, hip-hop, and God knows what else. Stylistically they flirt with downtempo, but just as often the music winds up further afield, embracing trip-hop, ambient, and post-club anthems. "Private Road" mixes a chilly female vocal with cracked samples and a swaying rhythm, but later the album falls into sillier, Lemon Jelly-like territory with "I Remember Johnny." It all works, making for a record that stays fresh with repeated listenings. Besides, Bent have received the ultimate 21st-century compliment already, as the vaguely big-beat thump of "Invisible Pedestrian" has shown up in a car commercial. With that sort of cachet, can mainstream success be far behind? If not, so be it, as Love finds room for more imaginative fun while being more accessible than anything in recent memory. --Matthew Cooke