And the Time Axis Manipulation Corporation

Album Review

Under the guise of Mickey Moonlight, DJ/producer Mike Silver curates an album that he describes as “science fiction exotica.” It’s a rather accurate depiction for his unusual Ed Banger debut, which pools together robot impersonations, cosmic analog synths, and thumping beats into a psychedelic electronic experience with an interplanetary theme. While elements of lounge and space age pop are clearly identifiable, Hi-NRG, disco, world music, and new wave also play big parts in the imaginative pastiche. Along with Silver’s own vocals, which are thin but tuneful, sung in a Michael Caine-like deadpan, at least 16 guests make contributions to the album, including Marina Gasolina (of Bonde do Rolê), Anita Blay (CocknBullKid), and George Lewis Jr. (Twin Shadow). Organic percussion and instrumentation give the songs added depth, by way of steel pan or bongos or a steamy sax solo, and Twin Shadow steals the show in "This Son Is Coming Up" and "Close to Everything," but otherwise, it’s entirely a world of Mickey Moonlight’s making. Hard to say what galaxy he’s in, but it's not ours.