Pitchfork

When Shocking Pinks, aka singer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Harte, debuted in the U.S. last year with a self-titled full-length, "Cutout" helped explain how a New Zealand lo-fi pop sad-sack had ended up on a label much better known for dance records. A fast and furious instrumental on an album full of bleary-eyed dream-pop, the track surrounds a frenzied, hi-hat-leaning drum groove with whirring synths, unusually trebly and tuneful bass playing, and ringing, atmospheric guitars. Alexis Georgopoulos, who also records as Arp and was previously with rhythm-heavy San Franciscans Tussle, has joined with Quinn Luke, aka New York based soulster Bing Ji Ling, as Expanding Head Band, and the duo's first release is a "Cutout" remix for Shocking Pinks' soon-to-be-released "Emily" single. One for the bins? Nah, it's mostly in keeping with Tussle's krautrock-cum-Danceteria workouts, deepening the bass and adding even more percussion, along with some synths, while excising the woozy guitar textures that give the original "Cutout" something in common with its A-side. And Harte's journey from bedroom recordist to trippy dance hero is pretty much complete.

[from the "Emily" single; due 03/03/08 on DFA/EMI]