EXRAY’S

Trust a Robot

exraysvision.com

Do androids dream of electric pop? If they do, they might imagine a group like Exray’s, two San Francisco dudes who use drum machines, keyboards and guitars to create wonderfully low-key robo-funk tunes. Much of their third album moves at a plodding clip reminiscent of Trio’s “Da Da Da,” while the synths and muffled vocals place Beck at the helm of OMD’s Dazzle Ships. After instrumental opener “Something Else” establishes an eerie dystopian tone, “You Can Trust a Robot” presents a seemingly more hopeful escape-from-earth fantasy. Elsewhere, it’s less clear if Exray’s are content, scared or sedated—a case can be made for any of the three. A better case can be made for listening.