I Am Robot and Proud: The Electricity in Your House Wants to Sing (Darla)
release: April 4, 2006
styles: Indie Electronic
similar: Manitoba, Minotaur Shock
not to be confused with: Ima Robot
rating: ****

The other night I heard someone say that Toronto is so ahead of the curve, musically. I Am Robot and Proud must be an example to which he was referring. The Electricity in Your House Wants to Sing isn't revolutionary or anything, but it's nice to hear electronic music this warm and friendly. Plus, the record title is just really cute. Sole member Shaw-Han Liem manages to mix in piano, sax and flute to the bubbly synth with no problem. Even when the acoustic guitar threatens to tip the balance, I Am Robot stays focused on producing some of the most endearing machine-pop this year. -Kenyon

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Growing: Color Wheel (Troubleman Unlimited)
release: April 11, 2006
similar: Ulrich Schnauss, Brian Eno
rating: ***1/2

Color Wheel is one of those records that are easily going to be misplaced in the alphabetical ordering by artist. While Color Wheel seems more appropriate to be the name of this ambient electronic band, Growing is actually the name, although the minimally designed CD cover and spine neglects to inform us of either option. Nonetheless, this is what ambient ambient indie electronic is all about. You got your smooth washes of synth that are straight out of NPR's Hearts of Space, the effects-processed guitars, and glitchy, drum 'n' bliss percussion. The 16-minute minimal "Blue Angels" finds Growing immersed in a never-ending hypnotic trip, where everything is peaceful enough to make even that latest bad news about global warming be an afterthought. -Kenyon