Quinta-feira 1 Nov 2012, 22h:08

A few days ago, when I rolled out my recommendations from this summer, I forgot to mention one other indie band - a German one known as Mikrofisch. I picked them out from the 49 other bands featured on Indietracks' compilation album, compiled in honor of the Indietracks Festival back in July. (That, by the way, is still available for just a pound, right here - although I donated just a little more, for the sake of courtesy.)

Who are Mikrofisch? Well, unlike many indie bands who embrace a stripped down rock outfit, this German duo utilize simple automated instruments: synth melodies, drum machines, the occasional theramin. But while Mikrofisch may sound a bit like a throwback to the 80s, their lyrics are decisively more contemporary. Mikrofisch's "Masters of the Universe" speaks of modern-day music enthusiasts, trapped in their own times and riddled with nostalgia, self-aware of their own hypocrisies and shortcomings. However, as cynical as this may sound, Mikrofisch never come off as jaded. Indeed, when you first spin this album, you'll wonder what on earth I'm talking about, since the opener is perhaps the most endearing song ever written about killer aliens. But that's just what's so charming about this duo - they're equal parts naïveté and experience, charm and wit, while always sounding like just clean, good fun.

To hear Mikrofisch's free digital album, hop on over to this website. And dig that sweet cover.