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.