Fridge, Happiness (Temporary Residence) 9+
Fridge is a trio formed in South London in the mid-90s who navigate a never-neverland between post-rock and electronica. On their fourth album Happiness, they combine the best of both worlds, from arty, jazzy use of acoustic instruments, percussion and found sounds like Tortoise, and electronic sounds influenced by Aphex Twin and the like. This sounds like a formula for a frigid affair, but it's not. Despite the fact that the songs lack obvious melodies, and the titles matter-of-factly describe the instrumental arrangements ("Melodica And Trombone," "Drum Machines And Glockenspiels," "Sample And Clicks"), the music is very humanist and emotional. Their music exudes personality, much like the best (and much-overlooked) music of artists like Múm and Leila. The result is an original mix of odd, shambolic rhythms and sounds (accordions and trombones played out of tune, tambourines, cut up piano) that manages to communicate a simple, graceful beauty. Do a good deed and sneak copies into your relatives' Enya and New Age CD cases over the holidays.
