In an age when virtually everything -- especially music -- is instantly accessible and easily transmitted from anywhere in mere seconds, it's no small wonder that Europe has managed to keep Casiokids to themselves for this long. But, Topp stemning på lokal bar is poised to place Casiokids on the tips of tongues across the U.S. (even if most would be hard-pressed to correctly pronounce the album's title!).
Hailing from the same celebrated Bergen scene that has produced Datarock and Annie, Casiokids were so-named for the beat-up old keyboards with which the band members first conceived their club-ready sound. Formed with the intention of making electronic music more visual, the band has since added guitar and drums to produce a collection of incredibly catchy tunes often sung in their native Norwegian and influenced by afro-beat, techno and out-and-out pop.
Like former tour mates (and now labelmates) of Montreal, Casiokids put on a theatrical live show -- incorporating a blend of shadow puppets, video projections and animal costumes -- that is not to be missed. Whether playing for the truly young (as during a 12-date kindergarten tour in Norway) or the young at heart (at almost all of Europe's largest festivals and on tour with Hot Chip), Casiokids generate the kind of unrestrained party mood that inevitably transforms any audience into a joyous, dancing mass.
And yet, apart from a few much-buzzed about performances at CMJ and SXSW, as well as a short headlining tour in Fall 2009, the quintet has remained relatively under the radar stateside -- an undeserved status that will surely be changing soon.
Featuring the first Norwegian-language pop music ever to be released in the U.S., Topp stemning på lokal bar contains the type of addictive melodies, distinctive vocal harmonies and danceable pop hooks that translate flawlessly no matter where you're from. Spanning the widths and breadths of bass heavy pop, synthy dub and darker percussive club moments, Casiokids makes its music felt as much as heard.
The songs on Topp stemning på lokal bar were previously distributed in Europe via Moshi Moshi, both as part of the label’s renowned Singles Club and as a series of double A-sided 7"s. For this debut US release, all eight tracks have been re-mastered and are accompanied by a bonus disc of new material (including six remixes and two covers).
With Casiokids, even if you don't understand the words, you'll soon find that the music speaks for itself.Hide  More
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