Super 8-Bit Brothers: Brawl

And you thought pop albums about video games came and went withPac-Man Fever? Well, not now that the rudimentary electronic sounds of vintage game consoles have found a niche audience. It’s hard to imagine anyone who’d enjoy sitting through all 15 tracks on Brawl, though. The second album from the Chicago duo, one of whom is ex-Mindless Self Indulgence, has some decent electroclash-style grooves, but that’s about it. The songs are novel in the worst way, all pandering and no wit to speak of. There’s a “love” song about two Pac-Man characters. There’s a song about World of Warcraft. There’s a song with lyrics that go, “You can drop your controller / Cause I’m the one who’s in control”. And don’t even mention “postmodern irony”, either. This is just straight-up horrible.