Search - Codebreaker :: What Is This Earth Love?

Underground Pop Gem!

Oxford Sheen | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Danceably, funky, celebratory and with a decidedly good-time vibe, "What Is This Earth Love?" carries on the musical torch lit by those previous EPs. There are the swirling strings that juiced up the great commercial disco records of the '70s, film dialogue samples, a four-on-the-floor club beat, Latin percussion, an almost disaffected vocal style and the funky, percussive Fender Strat funk of Chic's Nile Rodgers, whose songs, performances and productions are nearly the story of American popular music from 1977 until the '90s. Above all, it's got an alluring, original futuristic sheen.



Compared to Mount Sims (a former band mate of Schwarm's now based in L.A.) mathematically sexy music -- Codebreaker is a warmer, more fluid sound. What's most impressive about Codebreaker is just when you think you know where the record is going, you'll get a sci-fi, post punk, almost spagetti western blistering rock number like the title track, "What Is This Earth Love?" & various other examples of smart, genre-blurring concepts & production.



"Caller" is three and half minutes of modern funk so endlessly danceable that even Chromeo must be jealous. It's got booby-trapped, hip-breaking plot turns throughout. The vocals are incredible - wry spoken parts give way to a sing-along chorus and vocodered pieces of flair. The lyrics alone are hilarious.



Once in a while there's an underground release that's so ridiculously original & good, that you scratch your head wondering...."HOW can this be going under the radar?!"

Well, this is one of 'em."