This is the happiest music in the world. This is the best electronic album to come out of Texas since Asmodeus X's
Morningstar. This is a like a synthpop version of
The Wall. This is a really fucking awesome CD.
Hyperbubble is a married keyboard/vocalist duo from San Antonio. They first came to Rocks Off's attention back in 2006, when they were slated to be part of a Nina Hagen show with The Black Math Experiment and SiNDADDY that never came to be. Bummed for missing them, Rocks Off picked up a copy of their debut album,
Solid Pop, and was instantly addicted to Jess and Jeff's adherence to all things beepy and boopy.
It doesn't hurt that Jess is one of the hottest little mods in modern music. Lighthearted, and with a kind of empty orchestral finesse reminiscent of The Buggles, the duo's whole approach to music was a schoolgirl crush on technology mixed with the more mature lovemaking between their dueling vocals.
Candy Apple Daydreams is their third album, and is likely to be the group's breakout effort. The pink vinyl single version of "Supermarket Cassanova" earned them some play on BBC Radio 1 by Huw Stevens. This was quickly followed by a tour in the UK, and a contract with Scotland-based Bubblegum Records. Now on tour in the U.S. with plans to return to Europe, Hyperbubble's star is definitely on the rise.
Released on Valentine's Day,
Candy Apple Daydreams is something of a rock opera, though in this case we guess it would be a pop opera. Utilizing an amazing overture theme that weaves in and out of the entire album, we as the listener seem to follow the evolution of Hyperbubble's new-found fame. The absolutely killer opening tracks, "Candy Apple Daydreams" and "Girl Boy Pop Toy" leave you with no illusions that our heroes are here for one reason only: To brighten your day with their Gary Numan meets the Care Bears audio-electrilizations.
Follow the band as they jetset to the UK and record the semi-sexy, semi-sinister train tube announcer in the dance-club sample-fest "Mind the Gap." But the true gem in the album's A-side is "Picture of Paradise." In what we can only assume is a bitter, but accepting anthem to fame itself, it stands as one of the album's few tender moments. Though it's nowhere in the song's lyrics, hidden between the lines is a deep commitment between the artists that shows that the world outside does nothing but drive them closer together.
After a brief instrumental intermission, the record flashes back to the meeting of Jess and Jeff in "Supermarket Cassanova." A tale of innocent flirtations and plastic sandwich bags, it's not the catchiest track they've ever laid down, but it's pure simple sitcom plotting make sit very hard not to smile. On to a "U. F. O. Beach Party" before coming to what we must call a techno "Free Bird." Split across two tracks ("Hyperactive" and "Moogzilla vs Korgatron"), this one piece of music is one of the most intense bits of electric mayhem ever done.
The song is about the insane energy of childhood, and transitions to a synth duel utilizing the main theme that will absolutely melt your cortex. How anyone could possibly dance to such a track is beyond us, and since we haven't heard of anyone who has we assume that those who tried have died of awesome poisoning. But as the all-out war between protons and electrons fade, we hear Hyperbubble's "Top Ten Lullabyes." Jess soothes Jeff to sleep with a sweet serenade of their favorite pop icons, and a wish for nothing but candy apple daydreams.
Well, we have a daydream too, little miss drum machine and keytar. We dream that you pay attention to our years of begging and get your asses to H-town for a show. We must see this.