Gang Gang Dance: Saint Dymphna

This time out, Gang Gang Dance really means

"dance." The experimental group has gotten down before, but those arty rhythms

and percussive thumps often drifted into ethereal atmospherics, taking the vibe

with them. With newfound focus, the band keeps the motion going on Saint

Dymphna,

to the point where tracks such as "House Jam" even—gasp—could soundtrack a high-end clothing store.

Fans, don't get dismayed: Polyrhythmic noise-textures still pinball from

culture to culture (one minute, Japanese instrumentation, the next, Brazilian

guitar), drum freak-outs still raise a ruckus, and ambient electronica still

lends a psychedelic sparkle. But Saint Dymphna is less The Beatles'

"Revolution 9" (well, okay, except on "Inners Pace") and more Bob Marley's

"Revolution"; without losing its avant-garde, the album always has a scratchy

reggaeton beat or a frenetic first foray into rap ("Princes") waiting in the

wings. Howling with hyperactivity or recalling Low's laziest electronic slosh

on "Vacuum," Saint Dymphna is no easier to categorize than any other GGD

record, but it is

easier to groove to.