Blow it Up, Burn it Down, Kick it 'Til it Bleeds

Imitation Electric Piano were formed in 1999 by Simon Johns, Stereolab's bass player of the last seven years, and Andrew Blake, whose credits include Felt and Primal Scream. To sing those words, they chose a rising star in the Brighton folk cosmos, Mary Hampton, and set about writing a handful of songs about breaking up, self-doubt and the death of close friends. Sounds dire, but the songs they came up with retain the catchy riffs and grooves that have been Imitation Electric Piano's forte; this time, with plaintive, fragile melodies on top. Meanwhile, more of Simon's teenage influences have come through, unexpected influences like Black Sabbath, The Stooges, and the Buzzcocks -- all ring-modulated through Imitation Electric Piano's post-modern sonic sensibilities.