7.75 out of 10
Back when "Chill Wave" was arising there seemed to be too many bands doing it and only a few doing it right. One of the said talented-elite few was/is Teeel, his (Jim Smith) debut album 'Amulet' crept it's way onto EIC's 2011 year-end list at #29. And still to this day when people tell me they're tired of "Chill Wave" and all of it's brother/sister sounds I tell them give Teeel a go, if that doesn't do it for you, it's safe to say sexy-retro-futuristic Synth music just isn't "your thing" (this makes you lame in my book). Only a year later Teeel is back at it again with his latest (self)released (check out his awesome label here) album 'University Heights', which takes the concept of "retro-homage Synth Pop" and pushes it into a whole other direction.
The formula, although simple perhaps, always sounds just right betweeen my headphones; synths + synths + more synths + on top of a few more synths with a dash of guitar and smooth vocals (+ synths) = "audial agree-a-mental toe-tapping yes-ness". While few of those words aren't really words at all I'm sure you know what I am getting at.. Most tracks are upbeat/catchy, never too somber, mostly made via synthesizers/Chill-Wavy, and really awesome foreground/background music for any occasion (should be pretty user friendly). On 'University Heights' Mr. Smith takes the same format from his last release ('Amulet') and gives it a punch of Synth Rock. Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't "Rock N' Roll", it's Synth-Rock/heavier sounding Electronic Pop Music with a darker/crunchier edge (such as "R N' R"), but it's still mostly Electronic Pop music. This album kind of reminds me of the mid-late 90's Alt-Rock Industrial sound (one of my fav eras actually) MEEETS/as seeen through the eyes of a modern-day Chill Wave composer. It also (at some points) reminds me of a lost soundtrack to your favorite NES racing game via the 80's. It's a little darker & heavier than 'Amulet', but 'University Heights' should definitely keep the Teeel fans happy as well as seduce/indulge an entirely new scene (quite possibly-maybe). You guys really are missing the boat by not fully knowing Teeel by this time.
I could be wrong, but I see big things on the horizon for Jim Smith. Recommendeeeeeed.
Standout Tracks: Moogwai, 88Mph, Wraith, Shadowbrook Road
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