The Presets - Beams (2006)

So, Australian duo the Presets came together because each dug how the other dressed. It musta been kinda like your favorite direct-to-Trio sitcom pilot: Keyboardist/yelper Julian Hamilton was the baggy-pants raver, while drummer/programmer Kim Moyes' grandpa-chic proved the Cardigans aren't just a band (what no laugh track?). Anyway, when they get together, dirrty electro-punk ensues. After all, the only trend trendier than apparel is pop music.

"Steamworks" opens the Presets' debut full-length, Beams, with nifty "Billie Jean" nods and hella somethin' Gwen Stefani pantwork, but keep your distressed denim on. The Presets are also in an avant-garde instrumental band called Props, but when your pop is as tuneless as "Are You the One"-- all hoovering bass and forgettable lyrics-- I'm not gonna be impressed just because it's also got handclaps.

A.R.E. we having fun yet? No? More lame sex puns and sub-sub-sub-LCD Soundsystem beats, then, starting with "Down Down Down", another shout-along future Gap ad that whips it good on the verses and slyly ends with "I wanna go down down down-- on you!" Doubling that entendre isn't doubling anybody's fun, especially since "Girl (You Chew My Mind Up)" puts the same bass line through a different distortion pedal, beneath different inane yelps.