Many were wowed by the fractured-yet-pleasant pop melodies of Field Music, but with the disintegration of that band, its lead figure, David Brewis, needed a new way to spin his musical sensibilities. And this is where School of Language comes in, a driven and focused effort that features all the polish and shine of Field Music without the bubbling conflict that sent that group on an ominous "indefinite hiatus." The result of Brewis being allowed to explore on his own is the album Sea from Shore, a collection of murky sun-pop songs with a thin experimental edge. Nice to listen to and not particularly demanding, this is music that seems ready-made for a light-hearted good time concert, one that is particularly well-suited for the laid-back attitude of the Mohawk....

Alexis Taylor & Co. were almost laughably adorable when they warned us, "Hot Chip will break your legs, snap off your head," but with Made in the Dark they've lived up to their promise. The album begins with an ode to the low end, a sonic challenge to the listener, and the intensity doesn't let up: "Shake a Fist" asserts the band as much more than a smooth electronic dance outfit. As Todd Rundgren's goofy voice (how fitting) interjects midway through the track, we're asked to grab a set of headphones......