The Clockwork Mouse

I always loved that spangly toy rhythm-box music. It was hearing Peaking Light's under-rated "Lucifer" in my local record store that set me off. (I went to the counter and asked what it was - the temptation these days is to not risk asking a human and turn to Shazam - much less humiliating). I asked them if they had a copy, and bizarrely the guy said, "No but you can get it on Discogs." Dude, that's not the idea. I told him, "er, I'd rather buy it off you." I ended up buying it from Discogs.

There were a bunch of songs I would have included but I realise they've been on other mixes in the past and, well, I hate to repeat myself. So I didn't include the Steve Beresford floot number from Prince Far-I and the Arab's Vol 3. Also not the great Video Aventures. Neither Roj's brilliant "Morning Break". In fact the music box cut up from The Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" would have been good. (scratches head) I could have even put something from the last Woebot EP on it.

Personally I find the rigidity of clockwork rhythms bracing. I'm quite happy listening to wooden, entirely unflashy repetitive beats. The notion that electronic music needs to be funky or rhythmically "interesting" seems incredibly gauche to me. Of course this is an extended symphony in praise of the Labcast Mouse Groop. But equally I guess one for the Young Cluster Strike.

Cluster - Hollywood
Wally Badarou - Mambo
Shantel - Tosca Session
Hercules & Love Affair - Time Will
Broadcast - Corporeal
Suicide - Touch Me
Young Marble Giants - Cakewalking
Grimes - World Princess
Nini Raviolette - Suis-je normale?
Stereolab - How To Play Your Internal Organs Overnight
Harry Hosono - Honeymoon
Mouse On Mars - Rompatrouille
Peaking Lights - Dreambeat
Little Annie - Third Gear Kills
General Strike - Danger In Paradise
The Focus Group - Salty Sun Tales
Joe Meek - I Hear A New World