Ocanada, give us your electronica

Maybe it's because he's from Canada, but Dan Snaith's mix of electronica-rock seems surprisingly uncorporate. While other dance/electronic vibes leave me feeling souless with a stomach full of Fast Food nationality or otherwise like a modern American, Snaith's blend of loose, textured percussion and sunglow melodies leaves something for the uncool to grasp onto. From Canada with love, lets say, come the cooing melodies of Manitoba for his second full-length, Up In Flames. \nWith full, lumpy beats the rhythm of Manitoba's 10 tracks tugs with eagerness on your senses to get to the end of each song. Shoegaze guitar and feedback maintains a haze over top of the drums/drum machine, enveloping you with constant sound. Blender that, kitty, with a bit of warm horns, lush keys and taste Snaith's thick protein drink. \nSo with all the smoothy fruit, there must be some aftertaste. The pleasantries of frog ribbits, little-girl backtrack giggling, tight cymbals and salty guitar only last so long, leaving you occasionally wandering in the densities of Manitoba's sound. But for a retrieval by squealing horns and just-fit percussion loops, a bit of selfless wandering is pretty alright.