Telemetry Orchestra – Empire (Silent Recordings/Undercover Music)

Telemetry Orchestra worked their sound up from of a palette of post-Stereolab and Clan Analogue electronics. Following a string of compilation contributions, the group released an ambitious debut, “Live Better Electrically,’ eight years ago. “Children Stay Free’ followed in 2003, polishing their efforts into a wonderfully matured sound, and marking significant between album growth. Which brings us to today. It’s 2006 and the three piece, which splits its time between London and Sydney, has released a third album, the provocatively titled “Empire.’ Although never as inventive as Stereolab, the group works in a similar musical sphere to another British group, Broadcast. But where Broadcast keeps making beautiful records from their equally limited colour sheet (even their b-sides compilation is great), Telemetry Orchestra’ ambitions seem to have stalled with album number three. That is underlined by a media release for “Empire’ that dwells on sales results rather than the music. However, the album itself continues smoothing Telemetry’ sound: the individual elements of French chanson, Krautrock or the trip hop and electronic undertow are less noticeable, and, although musically less interesting, the songs are stronger.