Review: "Favorites At Play" by Joy Electric

Joy Electric is a curious little band. Their music is very specific: electronic beeps and blips (what the creator refers to as 'house music') with singing on top that speaks of unicorns, candy canes, lost love, and toys.

They've put out almost two dozen CDs in the past 15 years and I have to admit: sometimes I really dig the band and sometimes it really annoys me. I guess I have to be in the "correct" mood to really get into Joy Electric.

Having said that, I have purchased almost every album they've put out and I haven't really disliked any of them. They just take time to grow on me...

But not "Favorites At Play." I liked this album straight out of the gate. It's a covers album - every song on this release was originally recorded by a different band - and that makes all the difference in the world, I think.

It's not that Ronnie Martin is a bad songwriter. In fact, I think a lot of his songs are amazing and catchy. But by moving away from his 'normal' topics, this CD gives the band a chance to breathe and exist in a world slightly different from the normal JE music.

Songs such as "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay and "Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once" are odd choices for turning into house music, yet they really feel solid when you listen to them. It's like hearing these amazing songs again for the first time, which is something that all audiophiles wish they could experience.

I suggest you try some of Joy Electric's music here to see if you like them. If you do, definitely give this CD a chance. Then start working backward through their catalog and I'm sure you'll find some tracks you really enjoy.

This CD is for people with a certain taste in music, but if you read my blog, you might be the target audience. Give it a chance.