Coda.fm

This Is Alphabeat

by Alphabeat

• Buy it at Amazon.com

It’s difficult not to like Danish six-piece Alphabeat. Their retro-fuelled ‘wonky pop’ is pure optimistic fun of the kind that only po-faced too-cool-for-schoolers could possibly diss. This Is Alphabeat is a version of their platinum-selling Danish release minus some of the cheesier moments and with three brand new tracks produced by Mike Spencer (Kylie, Beverley Knight, Jamiroquai). 80s-style pop is still very much the motto here, with singles like "Fascination" and "10,000 Nights" manifesting more than just a casual aura of fame school about them. "Boyfriend" is reminiscent of 80s Madonna and the skewed electro of "Touch Me Touching You" is ridiculously saccharine and highly infectious. One of Spencer’s additions is worth noting--a cheerful romp through PiL's "Public Image," chirpy whistling and all, that will undoubtedly make John Lydon purple with rage. This Is Alphabeat packs in the musical clichés for sure, but there’s no denying the band’s zest and sincerity. At only ten tracks, this is a short but defiantly sweet statement.--Danny McKenna