The Pandas are a not so cute and furry four piece hailing from Massachusetts. Solutions is their second release, a follow up to the self-described "cut and paste" Pan de Monio, a description of the approach, not the sound. For the most part, Pan de Monio flew under the radar, and The Pandas are just now beginning to catch people's attention with the unique craftsmanship of Solutions.

The new album continues the band's style of mixing elements from electronic, post-rock, and art music to create a varied and original experience. This is highlighted in the title track, which begins with electronic beats and then, over its seven minutes, see-saws between a wide variety of moods and tempos. "Solutions" undulates bewteen slow melodica led passages to upbeat guitars fixed on top of smooth electronic beats. The sound the band creates throughout both this song and the album as a whole is organic and very distinct, something that is hard to come by with groups that present a similar mesh of sounds.

The albums strength lies in its lengthier songs, where there is a greater sense of space for the music to evolve and The Pandas presents a good progression of its music. The band doesn’t simply make a four minute track and stretch it in order pass it off as an eight minutes of distinctive music. Each one of the 7+ minute tracks on this album are a journey, consulting a variety of musical ideas along the way.

However, there is an element lacking in the album, and its somewhat of a killer blow. The album lacks a feeling of engagement (most often manifested through emotional content, but such is not always the case).  It struck me from the first listen, and has not buried itself over repeated listens. Its tracks are of high quality as I have explained above, however they present a sound that alienates the listener, failing to avoid sounding robotic on many levels. Originality and emotion are two important elements for a post-rock band emerging into such a crowded genre. It is disappointing to see, after succeeding with one, The Pandas could not achieve both.

Aside from this, The Pandas have impressed with a distinct and enjoyable debut album. This sound can only progress and its will be intriguing to see where it goes.

- Idris Hussein