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_San Bernardino_ is a nuanced slice of goodness. This album is like a cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer’s day, refreshing. The sounds on this are intricate and engaging. This is what Electronic music should sound like. Jesse creates melodies that are quite simply gorgeous and then he accentuates them with clever embellishments. As I listened to this album, an incredible sense of calm and peace enveloped me. It felt like I was experiencing a crisp autumn day with a slight breeze, and the sun shining bright. The song titles are playful to evoke a playfulness that is evident throughout (“Hearing Device for the Hearing Adivce,” “Watching Myself Watch Myself,”). You can tell Mr. Carrigan had fun composing these twelve tracks, nothing seems forced at all. Not one note is out of place on "San Bernardino" and amazingly although most of the songs are under two minutes long they don’t sound under done. They pull you in with a theme, dance around with you for a moment then pass you on flawlessly to the next song. “Dances w/ the Elephant Man” is a multi-layered gem. The laughter in the background really finishes off what is probably the best song I’ve heard in awhile. Although all the tracks are instrumentals, they perfect the way they are. Lyrics would just get in the way of these finely crafted pop songs. I don’t see this album leaving my stereo in the near future. Fans of Joy Electric, Travelogue, Kraftwerk or Electronic music in general should most assuredly give _San Bernardino_ a spin. 

Aaron C. Anderson

In addition to writing for Phantom Tollbooth, Aaron also independently writes poems, devotionals and more about the human condition. To read more of his writings or order some of his books go to: www.aaroncanderson.us.