Each time Tom Jenkinson makes me believe that he can't get any better, he comes forth with yet another curveball that's more fresh, innovative, and inspiring than any of his previous efforts. This time, Jenkinson manages to keep his own unique and crazy sound while somehow displaying an acute ear for pop music. He's always embraced jazz and felt the funk, but to know that he can tackle popular music and make it all his own forces one to wonder just how far Squarepusher can go.

Squarepusher's music has always been an acquired taste, and demanded some patience from the standard listeners. Those who appreciate experimental music, though, have been treated to some of the most avant-garde and inspiring electronic sounds this side of Aphex Twin and Boards Of Canada. However unapproachable his music has been in the past, the only aspect of "Shobaloader One: d'Demonstrator" that might be hard for passers-by to digest is the title of the album itself. It's interesting that he titles one of his most palatable records with such a daunting title, but maybe that's the point.

"SO: d'D" extends what came out of his recent efforts "Just A Souvenir" and "Numbers Lucent" in that they tackle a slightly retro sound and intertwine it with high energy electro madness that sound distinctly Squarepusher. He never quite loses that drum 'n bass type of sensibility, but he's always tweaking and updating it, constantly keeping the listener slightly off-balance. What's so unique about this new album is his deployment of pop sensibilities swathed by vocals on nearly every track. However, it's not straight-up vocals like you hear on Jenkinson's cover version of "Love Will Tear Us Apart" - the vocals come via a vocoder and sound dangerously close to Daft Punk. In fact, I'd be surprised if most people who know Daft Punk might think they have broken off into a different electro direction after hearing this album. The screeching electro guitars and breezy vocals definitely sound like the French duo, but Squarepusher's knack for nostalgia and melody far out-distance Daft Punk's somewhat limited approach. Tracks like "Into The Blue" hark back to the strange and wonderful electronic melodies from the 70's brought to us by people like the other Frenchman, Bernard Fevre, with its simplistic yet powerful melodies and synth production. Songs like this pay homage to those old classics, but it still manages to sound completely new and fresh.

Jenkinson also reminds us that he is a master bass player, and brings the funk into the fray on tracks like "Cryptic Motion". The slow grind, analog boogie, and cheesy synth explosions on this song wouldn't sound out of place on an early 80's Prince record.

Most of all, though, this album has just a flat out bizarre motion to it which any Squarepusher fan has become accustomed to. The track "Frisco Wave" sounds reminiscent of old Steely Dan and Peter Frampton and somehow gets away with it. It's completely lighthearted with fake symphony washes and corny synth waves flowing to and fro, but the production and direction is so focused that you don't notice, especially as its wedged in between such fiercely danceable and funky tracks elsewhere.

Like any Squarepusher album, "SO: d'D" is an exhilarating experience. I've always found that repeated listenings to Squarepusher albums bring further appreciation into the extremely complicated and diverse sounds he's able to create. What's most exciting with this new album is Jenkinson's ability to maintain his weirdness while becoming more - dare I say it - pop. It will be interesting to see how "SO: d'D" is received with the more mainstream types out there. Most importantly, Jenkinson just keeps doing what he does, keeping us on our toes, and always challenging himself along with his listeners.

[...] spends the first half of their review of this album accusing this record nothing short of plagiarizing Daft Punk's sound. I used to read Pitchfork, but after realizing 1. this record really sounds nothing like Daft Punk, despite it's copious use of vocoders and synths, and 2. This record actually is IMO pretty great, and deserving of at least a 7.5, not a 4.2 - I am reconsidering my readership of Pitchfork altogether, despite some decent music journalism here and there, I feel (in more cases then just this) they are getting too arrogant, and too sloppy. You just have to listen to work more then a few times in order to fairly review something, and you should also know enough about context not to make superficial comparisons based on some all too obvious formal similarities.

All over the internet, reviewers are giving this record poor ratings, all I can say is, they're full of beans. This album is amazing, every song is worthwhile, and as someone who's been listening to Squarepusher since the old days, I'm glad he just keeps evolving and trying new things - if not altogether new, then new directions for him. It's rare that in the long-term, he has ever put something out devoid of merit, and even his most challenging work opens up after repeated listens. I think in the internet age, people just don't give art it's due anymore. Most of this stuff is pretty catchy right out of the box, and what isn't grows on you. They're great songs, and clearly time was put into creating them.

I can't wait to hear this stuff live, I hope he tours it.

This is the best album of 2010 hands down. Squarepusher has pushed boundaries in more genres than any single musician since Zappa. He is fearless, and this album is dope.

Expecting a comfortable and polished pop album, void of sonic exploration, would be a mistaken approach to this album. It's strength comes from it's unique harmonic structure. Compared to other albums by Tom Jenkinson, it is rhythmically simple, slower paced, and generally less abrasive, so Drum and Bass loyalists may not appreciate it as much as his insanely intense projects. But for listeners who seek forefront progression in music of all genres will surely respect this album. Although it ranks lower than some of his other works according to my personal taste, I thoroughly enjoy many sections. Many of the melodies and harmonies throughout the album are very pleasant, powerful, and original. In my opinion it only strengthens the Squarepusher repertoire, and several of the songs will remain high on my list of favorites.

Tom Jenkinson has produced another wonderful piece of music. He seems amazingly prolific and for this I'm eternally grateful. This new album, though short, is packed with some lovely, funky melodic tunes that show how far ahead of everyone else he is in contemporary music. This is not to say that I am a die hard fan or don't feel able to criticise his music. Not in the least. Its just that are so few bad tracks here. Only the last one do I find a bit of a tough listen. Everything else is smooth and absorbing. This is great stuff and if you have any kind of ear you will love this. There have been a lot of comparisons to Daft Punk, which is understandable considering the style. But those people who make that comparison fail to realise his extensive body of work and I think it is genuinely just coincidence that this music resembles them. In any case this is just light years ahead. I can say with confidence that I will love and listen to this album for many years to come. Thank you Tom.