Last Year's Model- Life Like

Life Like" by Last Year's Model

Last Year's Model refers to their own music as "robot
pop", and certainly, the 8 bit synth parts that sound
like they could be coming straight out of your NES.
Last Year's Model mixes punk-influenced guitars with
infectious pop sensibilities and decidedly video-game
sounding programming. Their three song E.P. "Life
Like", is part camp, part well-crafted pop, and in the
end, fun. "Life Like" owes a lot to '80's punk acts
that came of age in the nintendo era, especially that
era's more melodic examples. The EP begins with
"Disconnect", which is a bouncy, upbeat sounding tune.
The music always in a way undercuts the tone of the
lyrics. Vocalist, Collin, has an appropriate punk
snarl. The result is a dissonance between lyrics and
lyrical content with the music. The guitars ride
pretty prominently in the mix, which is not bad, in
fact, it suits the songs well. "Disconnect" is
probably the standout track on the EP: it manages to
blend a poppy sounding synth with meandering guitar,
it works. The next song showcases even more the bands
pop sensibility. "Tri" fixes undulating synths with
raucous guitars, and a vocal track that is subdued,
but again, owes a lot to pop music. "Tri" has a
new-wave feel, a sort of industrial lounge music. The
last track, "Infected" is an electro-punk anthem, with
a catchy chorus. This band has no problem creating a
hook in their songs.  Some listeners might hear the
influence of other electro-punk acts in the last song.
"Life Like" is a pretty solid EP, what sets the CD
apart is a very well developed sense of song-craft.
The EP's three songs are catchy, in the same way a
good pop song is.