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It's ironic that the recent Joy Electric EP Montgolfier & The Romantic Balloons is available only from joyelectric.com.  The  quality and accessibility of the EP make it an excellent introduction for anybody unfamiliar with or hesitant towards Mr. Ronnie Martin's pure analog synth and vocals-only approach.  The website-only point- of-sale and limited print run mean that mostly hardcore JE fans will  enjoy what is a truly pleasant listening experience.

Part One of the EP, "Montgolfier & The Romantic Balloons" is a five- track concept piece; the theme being the beginning and end of the dirigible as a major form of aerial transportation.  Marked by romantic whimsy and pulsing synthesizer beats and leads,  "October,  1783: The Romantic Balloons" and "May, 1937: The Brass Stopped Before the Second Mooring" are two of Mr. Martin's finest analog pop-songs deserving to be highlighted in a future JE compilation.  (May, 1937  is remarkable as the date the of the historical Hindenburg dirigible explosion.)

Part two, "Other Archers", features three excellent remixes from the  full length _Ministry Of Archers_ and the "previously released only on vinyl" track Octuplet Down,  "Octuplet Down,"  "Fantastic."  and  Montgolfier & The Romantic Balloons is a  must for any Joy Electric fan, and a worthy purchase for the casual or curious listener.  Again, truly a pleasant listening experience.

Ryan Ro / CNXmusic.com]