Staff Reviews

Radiation City - Synesthetica

Review by Lee Adcock

About as off-the-cuff as a Coldplay single»

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Radiation City was not going to polish up its old style for 'Synesthetica'; it was going to completely overhaul both its process and its sound. After recording with John Vanderslice (Spoon, Death Cab For Cutie) at Tiny Telephone Studios, the band took its new directive back to Portland and turned to Jeremy Sherrer (Modest Mouse, Gossip) at Ice Cream Party to flesh out its studio sessions. 'Synesthetica' almost killed this band, but instead, it serves as the opening salvo of a monumental second act, and Radiation City is invincible. The band is sensual and synthetic in equal turns - just check out the Bond-worthy 'Butter' or the explosive 'Milky White' for proof. 'ynthesizers comprise a major piece of the band's musical puzzle, especially on the trippy 'Juicy' and the minimal 'Sugar Broom,' which nods toward Portland legends (and Rad City homies), STRFKR. And an interest in retro-futurism, which the title subtly implies, has been a hallmark of its sound and visual aesthetic from the get-go (as the sweeping space-tango, 'Futures,' reminds us).
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