12 in Bloomington, MN

German post-rockers
the Notwist
take an unconventional approach to making
dance-pop
on
12
. Though the occasional use of grinding analogue synthesizers makes for a style far from the mainstream, the linear thrust of
rock
is apparent throughout the album. The result is music harking back to
alternative pop
icons like
Dinosaur Jr.
and
Sonic Youth
, as well as
experimental techno
producers
Oval
Autechre
. ~ John Bush