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Following the incredible New Magnetic Wonder is a tough act, but the Ben Folds-inspired retro-futuristic "Dream About The Future"**** is a strong start. The new wave and disco eras seem to be greater influences this album, and leader Robert Schneider channels Prince's revolutionary combination of both on "Hey Elevator"**** and "Dance Floor," while "Told You Once"**** is like a Daft Punk electronic Beatles. Schneider notes ELO as a major influence for the album, though it's only clear to me on two songs; "Dignified Dignitary"**** has obvious similarity to "Do Ya" (starting with the Neanderthal riffs, multi-layered vocals, and prominent cowbell), while "Nobody But You" resembles "Showdown" (with prominent synth strings). He channels Stevie Wonder soul on "No One In The World," and "No Vacation" is another that is similar to (a very peppy) Ben Folds.
Schneider shares the mic, as well a significant songwriting credit, with his bandmates on several tracks, with John Ferguson on "No Vacation," with Eric Allen on the new wave Stereolab "Next Year at About the Same Time," and with John Dufilho on "Floating In Space." And there are a few that harken back to Schneider's earlier psychedelic power pop Apple albums, including the slightly sinister "C.P.U," the totally Sgt. Pepper "Wings Away," and the exuberant, Discovery of a World Inside the Moone "It's Alright"****; the last is one that sorely misses the backing vocals of former drummer Hilarie Sidney, who is on every Apples album except this one.
Even though Robert Schneider completed his PhD in 2018 this is the last Apples In Stereo album to date; fortunately, except for the last few songs that wind the album down, it's a consistently good one to leave with.
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