Synth-pop paradise

If you like The Postal Service, but find them just a little too soulful, you should probably know about Jimmy Tamborello’s other pop project, Figurine. (With those two endeavors, plus Dntel, when does this guy sleep?) Figurine doesn't attempt originality of any kind--it's a shiny, plastic facsimile of all those 80s synth-pop bands you love. This trio of long-distance friends--one in L.A., one in S.F. and one in Massachusetts--originally set out, in fact, to sound like Depeche Mode.

Songs about checking email and instant messaging ex-girlfriends make ignoring the words essential if you’re going to find any kind of enjoyment in this music. But if you can get past the concept and the lyrics, Figurine’s a lot of fun, with cracking drum machine beats, electronically blipped and bleeped melodies, ambient fuzz and vocals unabashedly swiped from Bernard Sumner. Nah, it’s not as good as New Order, but sometimes you have to try something different. Or something exactly the same.

Impossible (mp3) – Figurine

Way to Good (mp3) – Figurine

An Electronic Address (mp3) – Figurine

Blue Monday (mp3) – New Order

Figurine's latest album is The Heartfelt from March Records. Blue Monday comes from Power, Corruption & Lies--which you already knew, smarty pants.