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- Ghostland Observatory
- Robotique Majestique
- Trashy Moped
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"Heavy Heart" by Ghostland Observatory
Robotique Majestique, the latest from Austin electro-rock weirdo outfit Ghostland Observatory, is a good EP trapped inside a mediocre album. The first half hits hard, from the epic, crescendoing instrumental "Opening Credits" through the party-starting "Dancing On My Grave." But as the second half kicks in, Aaron Behrens' dramatic wild-man vocals transition from Freddie Mercury-like affectation to grating caterwauling, and button-pusher Thomas Turner overshadows them with a never-ending cavalcade of bleeps and bloops, which are extraordinary only in their level of predictability.
While the first 18 minutes of Robotique doesn't entirely make up for the tedium of its back half, it bodes well for the duo's live show, which is where Ghostland Observatory excels anyway. "Heavy Heart" and "Freeheart Lover" are obvious soon-to-be crowd favorites, embracing cheesy synth lines with knowing abandon reminiscent of the smarmiest '80s hair-metal bands. Eventually, though, the tongue digs a little too far into the cheek, replacing that carefree party-hard mentality with stifling—and oh-so-boring—irony.
