Misplaced expectations can sometimes be a double drag. For instance, if you expect Jellyfish power-pop perfection from Malibu -- a band featuring both Roger Manning, Jr. and Jason Falkner from that influential outfit -- you might initially experience listener letdown with Robo-Sapiens. Although this disc opens with the synth driven (not guitar powered) “Yesteryear,” its title alone ought to give you one gigantic Blues Clue that the song does not foreshadow yet another heartless collection of cold and ruthless techno exercises. Rather, Malibu’s Manning, Jr. -- who has since become an in-demand re-mixer - leads the way with groovy, Stevie Wonder ‘70s synthesized funk. And speaking of the ‘70s, “German Oil” drills into your psyche like an on-the-radio, Georgio Moroder-produced Donna Summer single. Elsewhere, “The Bounce” is a perfect combination of faux reggae and electro, while one called “D.I.E.T” is simply a whole lot of fun; it places spoken word dieting advice over a minimal electronic groove. By the way, only about half of these tracks have lyrics, and when they do, they’re usually slight at best. For example, “Time To Time” includes this vague chorus: “Time to time I feel upset, but after all there’s no regrets.” From time to time you might be disappointed with Malibu’s largely synthetic sound; but if you listen without prejudice, you’ll likely have no regrets.
-- Dan MacIntosh
