After years of releasing albums and performing overseas, Mechanical Cabaret makes their longawaited North American debut with the greatest hits collection Selective Hearing! Formed in 1999, Roi Robertson and Steve Bellamy combine a heady mix of industrial-strength electro, memorable melodies, slamming beats, acidic synths, sci-fi soundscapes, and throbbing bass, along with Roi’s lyrical observations on the darker side of life — all delivered with a deadpan dose of sardonic punk attitude and British black humor.
Mechanical Cabaret has been making records and touring for 13 years, releasing four albums and several singles. Selective Hearing provides just a glimpse of the band’s illustrious history, from “Nothing Special” off the band’s 2002 debut to the mega-club hits “See Hear Smile” and “Disbehave,” from the follow-up album Product for Your Insecurity.
The year 2009 brought Damaged Goods, Mechanical Cabaret’s breakthrough release. The duo stepped out of the clubs and into the mainstream with songs like “In Loving Memory,” “Careful Careless,” and “GBH.” Damaged Goods maintained the band’s signature analogue sounds and British dark humor, but showcased more mature in-depth songwriting.
To round out this release, Mechanical Cabaret has added “Why So Serious?,” the first new track from the band since 2009. Overall, Selective Hearing is a great introduction to the North American market and a precursor to what lies ahead
