Analog Vs. Digital

Just the sheer amount of tracks (a swelling 52 songs in all) on Analog Vs. Digital says a lot about the Philistines Jr.'s audacity. The songs may have been recorded over a number of years (1993-1998, to be exact), but the Philistines Jr. still prove to be one of the more prolific bands of the home-taping phenomenon of the '90s. With the songwriting style of They Might Be Giants combined with the structure and speed of Guided by Voices, the Philistines Jr. rip through the 52 tracks in swift fashion, as the record clocks in at only roughly 70 minutes. Some tracks are melodic and others are discordant, but all are quite intriguing as they cross over many different styles using numerous instruments (many of which are pictured in the insert). The Philistines Jr. work in a similar fashion as the Elephant 6 musicians, creating cute, psychedelic, frayed pop tunes. Still, the Philistines Jr. somehow seem a bit more serious about their craft, as their production and their songwriting is of a somewhat higher standard. But the idea of eclecticism is as rampant here as it would be on any Olivia Tremor Control or Music Tapes record. Sometimes spazzy, sometimes sad, and sometimes pensive, Analog Vs. Digital is an incredible release that is well worth any indie pop fan's money.