Destroy Rock & Roll [CD]

The Isle of Skye is not the prior origin point of bright, inventive new electronica. But that is where label founder/artist Mylo got his start, crafting complex, warm and danceable electronica on his computer. Now he's being put up as the savior of dance music.

Why? Apparently he says he's "just having fun." Here's hoping he keeps on having fun, for the sake of music fans. His debut "Destroy Rock & Roll" is a surprisingly fresh and fun sound, with bubbling electropop, staccato breaks and unstoppable basslines.

The first trio of songs show the sunnier side of Mylo -- it starts off with a warm wash of summer electronica that seems appropriately called "Valley of the Dolls," some languid downtempo, and some fun dance music that would sound at home in a kids' video game.

Then things take a slightly harder line, with rapid electronic jabs, computer twiddles and sampling. Songs like "In my Arms" sound like thinking men's club tune, danceable but also very complex. Then there are songs like "Guilty of Love," a smooth, sweet, still catchy number. The title track is a break from the usual, with a tongue-in-cheek recitation of all the legendary people who have contributed to the "destroying of rock'n'roll."

And as the album winds down, Mylo gives his colorful album another twist. The final three have a stately, almost classical downtempo sound, with yearning vocals layered in. Listening to these, it's impossible not to wonder where Mylo will go next in his career.

Like any other kind of music, electronica is hard to do -- for every genius, there are a bunch of idiots who think a catchy beat is all it takes to make it memorable. Which makes it impressive that Mylo has done all this at twenty-four, with mainly a computer, and put it out on his own little label.

Aside from his rich electronic noodling, Mylo also layers in some charged guitar licks and thin basslines. He also diddles around with the pace of the songs -- "Rikki" opens with your basic electronic song, but it's deliberately given little breaks, so that it sounds like a CD skipping, even as a smooth little electropop melody comes in. The skipping vocals will probably drive you insane after a few minutes, but it can't be said to be boring.

"Destroy Rock & Roll" won't destroy your taste for rock'n'roll, but it might revive some interest in the tumultuous world of electronica/dance pop. Definitely worth listening to.

I don't agree with the other review. This album has lots of merits especially for a debut. You only have to look at how popular this guy is live. Check out mylo.tv for the recently added one hour live set. I love the simplicity of this album and yet there are many layers to it. Actually it grows on you a lot and I think it deserves the 5 stars! Get it

Here's the Tracklist.

1. Valley Of The Dolls 3:29
2. Sunworshipper 3:27
3. Muscle Cars 3:39
4. Drop The Pressure 4:16
5. In My Arms 3:46
6. Guilty Of Love ('05 Version) 3:06
7. Paris Four Hundred 3:33
8. Destroy Rock And Roll ('05 Version) 4:04
9. Rikki 3:18
10. Ottos Journey 3:59
11. Muscle Car (feat. Freeform Five) ('05 Mixdown) 3:52
12. Zenophile ('05 Version) 4:11
13. Need You Tonite 4:51
14. Emotion 98.6 5:36

-Japanese Bonus Tracks-
15. Soft Rock 4:01
16. Peach Melba 4:41
17. Destroy Rock & Roll (Tom Neville's Clean Edit) 4:45