Mikael Jorgensen & Greg O'Keeffe

Before keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen became a full-time Wilco member, he was an accomplished recording engineer who knew how to put sounds together in unusual but pleasing ways. This self-titled album for Jorgensen and his longtime musical accomplice Greg O’Keeffe (who also recorded together as Pronto) explores electronic-based music from a beautiful and idiosyncratic style, free of the clichés often heard in a genre often practiced by less accomplished musicians. Sonics are improved by producer/engineer Allen Farmelo (The Cinematic Orchestra, Talk Normal) and mastering engineer Valgeir Sigurosson (Björk, Sigur Rós), who ensure a depth and consistency of sound. Jorgensen himself aimed to have synthesizers play the roles of all other instruments besides drums. “Armz” displays a subtle minimalism. “Quincy” brings symphonic grandeur and funk. “Angry Americans” creates a sci-fi feel with vocals lurking in the mix before they finally commit to becoming lead vocals. “Don’t Wait” emulates a hard rock band with an all-synth army and desperate vocals. The variations are limitless.