Apples in Stereo Collects Strong Songs, Gimmicks on Electronic Projects for Musicians

The release of Apples in Stereo's compilation Electronic Projects for Musicians had drawn some mixed reviews from critics throughout the Internet. I like to listen to new albums a few times before delving into reviews to form my opinion and become conversant about the topic at hand. The common response to this new compilation by Robert Schneider and his cohorts was tepid to say the least.

One of the common complaints given by reviewers about Electronic Projects for Musicians is that it pleases no one outside of the group's loyal fans. I would say that this criticism is accurate when "best of..." albums and compilations feature throwaway songs and gimmicks that failed to make it on a studio album. Electronic Projects for Musicians is not my first experience with Apples in Stereo and Iknow that its poppy beats and playful lyrics will attract some new fans.

I share a similar affliction with music reviewers who are still stuck on the idea that albums trump singles in terms of indie rock. I would love the re-emergence of albums as the dominant force in the music industry but the Internet and the struggles of major music labels will not allow that to happen. Apples in Stereo's b-sides and oddities are more appealing than the singles of most bands in action today. I have a feeling that plenty of people will come to Apples in Stereo via Electronic Projects for Musicians on websites like eMusic and iTunes.

There are a few highlights from Electronic Projects for Musicians that I think will do well as singles in today's world of downloads. The first track, "Shine (In Your Mind)," is a strong rock song that gets listeners engaged from the first minute of the album. "Other" is a pleasant, poppy song that displays Schneider's pleasant vocals and the band's instrumental experimentation. "Man You Gotta Get Up" is well paced and it would work on a traditional album as a middle track to keep the band from sinking into a lull. The final track, "Dreams," lives up to its name by providing a soft landing to an album that maintains a solid pace from start to finish.

Reviewers mentioned the track "Stephen, Stephen" as a gimmick that was hardly worth including on this compilation. It seems that reviewers at Pitchfork Media and All Music Guide have lost their sense of humor when it comes to music. "Stephen, Stephen" is a song that was used on The Colbert Report as the satirical TV host was about to engage in battle with The Decemberists in a "green screen" contest. It is a fun homage to Stephen Colbert and Apples in Stereo made a good choice by including this unrecorded track on their compilation album.

I would suggest Electronic Projects for Musicians to anyone who has not heard Apples in Stereo in the past. I have heard snippets of the group's work over the last decade and I think that this collection would be beneficial for music fans just finding Apples in Stereo. Electronic Projects for Stereo is akin to taking a behind-the-scenes tour of a brewery because this album lets you see the band's thought process while sampling some of their work.