Splendi E-zine
Feb 7,2003

While they're unlikely to win any awards for inventive group names, Californian rhythm-protagonists Beat Corp are an altogether different kind of post-modern concoction. What initially appears to be another wannabe white b-boy outfit quickly morphs itself into a peculiar miasma of buckling electronics, heavily treated guitars and vocodered vocal thrusts.

At its most visceral, Permanent Jetlag evokes memories of defunct techno-rockers Pop Will Eat Itself, particularly the beat-happy scratch-and-strum of "Disturbing Love Song", while the album's moments of Pro-Tools-aided Motown permutation ("mSoul (in the field)") bring to mind the Marvin Gaye-gone-laser gun disco of the Lo-Fidelity All-Stars. That said, the album has its derivative moments; "I Wish" sounds a bit too much like Filter for its own good, while the skiffling techno-lite of "Idea" comes across like one of Prodigy mastermind Liam Howlett's less inspired cast-aways.

Devoid of any real heart but laden with sonic fortitude, Permanent Jetlag is the perfect soundtrack for a dance-and-drink-till-you-drop night on the town with your favorite raver-cum-rocker.

-- Jason Jackowiak, Splendid

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