Code 64- Departure

With its retro synthpop beeps and bleats and its rather geeky science fiction concept, there's no logical reason for this release from Sweden's Code 64 to be so good. If the '80s European disco beats aren't enough to make things cheesy, surely the lyrics about leaving earth on a spaceship should be enough to do the job. Somehow, though, Code 64 manage to make this brilliant, from the uplifting trance-inspired opener "Sea Of Stars" to the driving, video game-laced pop of closing track "Starchaser." The fuzzy beats and warm minimalism of "Guardian" suggest modern influences like Covenant, while the airy pop of "Every Moment" is accessible enough to garner comparisons to The Postal Service, but Code 64 are at their most charming when they're at their most intentionally retro. "Carry Me Home" is an unabashedly romantic ballad, but it's the cheerful background keyboards that set it apart from the typical synthpop love song. Instrumental "Go64" is also a joy to listen to, full of perky 8-bit sound effects that make it the perfect soundtrack to a video game, or perhaps a cartoon about flying robots. There's a refreshing innocence to this music, as if the band doesn't realize how corny they should come off writing all-keyboard songs about space flight. Somehow, in spite of everything, they don't come off as corny at all, and this album is glorious, guilt-free ear candy.

Depart for outer space from the Code 64 Web site at www.code64.se.