Seksu Roba

On its self-titled debut, Japan's Seksu Roba explores the sexy, over-the-top electronica territory previously owned by groups like Tipsy and Sukia. The only problem is, those groups did it better and a few years earlier. And with song titles like "Zero Gravity Miniskirt" and "Velvet Star" -- and the de rigueur mix of burbling synths, wah-wah guitar, and cheesy strings -- Seksu Roba seems hidebound to the genre's cliches. Overall, the album's sound is just too spare and digitally pristine to reflect (or inspire) any naughty thoughts or actions. That said, Seksu Roba isn't a bad album by any stretch of the imagination; more organic tracks like "Pulsar Cruiser," "Cha Cha on the Moon," and "Crystal Garden" mix sleek sensuality with a dash of zaniness. It's just that the group doesn't offer much originality to fans of lounge-inspired electronica or Shibuya-kei -- yet. Perhaps future albums will reveal a more distinctive sound from Seksu Roba but, for now, the group's sound works best as fun, slightly sleazy background music. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide