Gaskets: Loose Change

Electronic pop duo the Gaskets could cause some people to blow a gasket, but the light, breezy, electronic-laced ditties are not too hard to swallow. Sincere and not too gimmicky, the group seem to make the best of each song, especially the mid-tempo “Deportees” and the happy-go-lucky “End Game”, which sounds as if it fell off of some mix tape that included Thomas Dolby, Simple Minds, and Howard Jones. Quirky but not quite entirely out in left field, the duo shines on “Cold Busted” and the poppy, catchy “Left Hand”, which works quite well on many levels. Gaskets also show some moxie with “Earthquake”, which leaves the listener wanting a bit more than they’re given. Unfortunately, “Motivation” is rather cheesy and sounds like some sort bad commercial jingle, while “Pennies and Dimes” loses some steam early on despite name dropping the US Navy. Gaskets make amends for these miscues with “The Easy Life”, sounding like Jack White being influenced by some sample or loop and going to town.