The Chicago duo of Peter Dean (guitars, bass, keys, vox) and Jennifer Fox (drums) formed The Fast Computers in 2003 as an outlet for Dean to ?create a soundtrack for an idealized modern life, one free from greed, regret and control by invisible machines.? Lofty ideals, to be sure, but I?m just glad he took time out from his busy schedule of saving the world from mass destruction, to create these four pleasant lo-fi poppers with a comfy, homegrown feel that were engineered by label owners George Ayres and Jake Baker (of Armored Frog). ?December 1999? gallops along with a punchy rhythm under lyrics that combine the mystique of a romantic winter snowfall with the hectic pace of ?everybody lying on the floor? that?s the epitome of the aftermath of too much New Year?s Eve celebrating.

There?s a bouncy, motorik, robotic rhythm to the opening of ?The Robot?s Escape? that reminds me of Kraftwerk and any number of 80s? British synth bands like Depeche Mode, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark or A Flock of Seagulls. Things get a little dizzy with the dreamy middle section, perhaps representing the song?s title, that suggest a nice variety of material from the pen of Mr. Dean may be in store. 7/10 -- Jeff Penczak (15 August, 2005)