Another album that’s been sitting in my pile of stuff to review for way too long is the self-titled debut from the Nashville, TN duo Computer vs. Banjo. Now, (at least to me) just the concept of the juxtaposition of traditional folk/bluegrass instruments with modern computer technology and all it’s associated sound manipulations sounds pretty cool. My hopes were high but while Computer vs. Banjo isn’t quite that extreme an example of roots music meets glitchy beats, the duo does dish out some pretty cool folktronica that incorporates at least a little roots music instrumentation. Sometimes the band gets overly soulful and it really doesn’t work all that well. Instead, the band is at their best when they employ sparser and simpler arrangements rather than cramming all sorts of shit together (as they do on “San Joaquin”). Overall a pretty enjoyable listen. Just imagine if The Notwist and Savage Garden got together playing Dada and Velo Deluxe covers in some dusty California warehouse. Something like that perhaps.

MP3 | Computer vs. Banjo – San Joaquin Computer vs. Banjo
MP3 | Computer vs. Banjo – Magazine Queen Computer vs. Banjo