Mira Calix: Eyes set   against the sun (Warp) - CD
I try to find value in the obtuse, deeply earthy, organic creations of Mira's latest album. But it's all a bit too arty for my liking. Some of the more melodic orchestral passages trigger memories of soundtracks to Kitano movies. But it's the child-like, bric-a-brac approach to composition that really got on my tits after the second listen.

Anders Ilar: Ludwijka Extended Visit (Shitkatapult) - CD
It's been a while sinced I praised some straight-up electronic music (previously referred to as IDM so regular people were kept at a distance, then changed to Electronica to please the Guardian-reading folk). But veteran Berlin peddlers Shitkatapult have come up trumps with this searing selection of filmic noir techno from Sweden's Anders Ilar. All eerie chords, big dollops of morphing bass and clattering rhythms that simply refuse to sit still. Result!

Harmonic 33: Music for television, film and radio Vol.1 (Warp) - CD
When this first arrived, it seemed totally unappealing. A collection of musical snippets dressed up as soundtrack / library music: functional, incidental, non-diegetic. A style that never really appealed to me. But wear it in a few times and as an album it totally works, certainly in the context of wallpaper or background music.

Various Artists: Hypersex.Code 1 (Disco Inc) - CD
It was through their innovative 'Clicks and Cuts' series of compilations that Mille Plateaux pretty much ruled the electronic music roost during the latter half of the nineties. It all came to an abrupt end when distributor EFA went bankrupt, dragging down every label that depended on it along the way. But label boss Achim is back with a more dancefloor-oriented manifesto that seems a million miles away from Mille Plateaux's digital theory and austere minimalism.

But back to this compilation: CD 1 is a fucking rubbish mix of tiresome energy house (nearly fell off my chair when that Eric Prydz track kicked in. CD 2 is a deeply uninspiring collection of bargain basement 4/4, despite the inclusion of Secondo's awesome 'It's OK'.

DJ Wally: Emulatory Whoredom (the Agriculture) - CD
Narcotic and woozy with lolloping rhythms, quirky vocal samples and melodies that shift from pixel sharp clarity to detuned radio distortion in an instant. This is what The Orb would sound like if they could be bothered to make decent ambient music again. But it's not background music, there's far too much going on to dismiss this as aural wallpaper.

The Emperor Machine: Vertical Tones and Horizontal Noise Parts 1 and 2 (DC Recordings) - 12"
White Light Circus: Marching Orders (DC Recordings) - 12"

A thoughtful, albeit derivative presentation from The Emperor Machine generates a thoughtful, albeit derivative review. Clear production, whizzy FX and some neat ideas gloss over the rather pedestrian composition. The kind of music I see big surly men buying over the counter at Soul Jazz. Artwork is pretty fly though.

White Light Circus' effort settles on a groove and allows sequential ideas to ebb and flow at a natural pace, although I did prefer it at 45. Still totally forgettable though.

Bong Ra: Peel Session (Death$ucker) - 12"

After that well-dressed but tediously noodly Shoreditch music, Bong Ra turns up to increase heart beats and induce murmurs. John Peel was a big fan and it's easy to see why from this debut Radio 1 session. Head-first lunges into the amen headspace, rat-a-tat rhythms and a million and one ragga cliches being fired off in all directions. Surrender and succumb.

Endorphins: Discipline (Eat This Records) - 12"

Scattershot but excellent pot-pourri of disjointed electronica and sneering techno. From the Skam subversion of 'Mammon' to the discordant Aphexism of 'Bassgirl, but the bestest bit is the cold ether drive of 'Yoni'. Eight tracks loaded with sneaky rhythm changes and accessible melodies. Endorphins might be treading over familiar ground here, but rarely has it been done with such vigour.

Man Parrish: Hip Hop Re Bop (Breakin') - 12"

I know that Man Parrish is regarded as an electro pioneer, but it's his collaboration with Eurogay chart toppers Man 2 Man that sticks in my mind. Specifically their UK number 2 hit 'Male Stripper' and a pretty unforgettable Top of the Pops appearance. It'll stay with me to the grave that one.

Latest podcast up. Nearly didnt manage to do one...work issues and just a lack of time and foresight have seen me rush this one. I'd have liked it to be 90 minutes minimum. But didn't quite manage it. That and Traktor kept on screwing up during the recording. Anyway, I will make it better next time. Promise. Also I'll be asking friends and artists to start contributing. Once everyone has worked out that I suck at this podcasting business.

In the meantime, head over to http://www.failme.net/failcast