Artist: Escape Pod Title: Losing Control 7" vinyl only Label: Dead Digital F/U: Flares, bongs and Beatles RIYL: Flaming Lips, Beta Band, The Troggs I've never reviewed something on vinyl before - it's like being a retro virgin. Never mind - I had to burn a copy (backed by Peter, Paul & Mary's greatest hits) at my father's place because I don't own a plastic player, but if you don't tell, I won't. Escape Pod are, like their label, Manchester based, a three piece who like their electronica as much as their Beach Boys-era happy harmonies. It makes for intriguing combinations, the title track beginning with a Ravi Shanka-like groove over which loops and psychedelic vocals are placed and displaced. Add a Hammond and it's groovy baby all over again. "Change of Pace" is exactly that, a Strawberry Fields-paced bongathon, perhaps displaying their vocal skills more succinctly than "Losing Control" At two songs and sans drugs it's hard to pass judgement - it's definitely not the glip-buzz-bop we've come to expect from DD, but that's not a bad thing either. Eerie, like Tiny Tim, not like Charles Manson.