Throw Down Your Laptops

Some years back, a certain British vegetarian pop superstar dourly urged us to "Hang the blessed DJ!" Poor dear, he didn't think that the music they played in the discos and on the radio had any relevance to his (too sheltered) life. That may still be, but luckily for us, indie-electronica up-and-comers Books on Tape - the brainchild of Todd Books (aka Todd Matthew Drootin) of Los Angeles - has heaps of relevance to our frenetic modern lives. And given it's plenitude of head-bobbing, homemade beats you'll likely to be hearing it everywhere from Manchester to Manitoba and everywhere beyond, courtesy of Books on Tape's full-length beatpunk debut, THROW DOWN YOUR LAPTOPS, on Deathbomb Arc. With a call-to-arms title like that gracing such a propulsive collection of tracks, there's just no way you won't! Raised on punk rock and hip-hop, Todd Books began crafting his own DIY electronica in the 90s, using sequencers, drum machines and effects units to make his own brand of squiggly good fun. Books on Tape manages to be both warm and futuristic at the same time. And always energetic. And rather obscure, thanks to an early habit of only releasing Books on Tape tracks as MP3s via the net. Eventually, these and the super word of mouth they've generated have made Books on Tape a respected act on the burgeoning indie-electronica scene, and BOT live shows all over the country have kept the kids rocking back and forth to the beat. Add to this resume some prime exposure on MTV and BOT is positioned to leap to real stardom. For THROW DOWN YOUR LAPTOPS, Books on Tapes recorded each track in a single take to 24-track tape, capturing the immediacy and energy of a live show with the pristine sound of a studio recording. Guest musicians include members of Bright Eyes and Slowcoach on an assortment of guitars, synths and drum machines. Todd Books played/programmed the rest - and nothing was edited in the computer. What you hear is what they did. Better listen up!