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On its first few releases, an album and a bunch of EPs and singles, Broadcast relied on a certain sweetness and charm. The Birmingham, U.K. band's listenable electronic pop and Trish Keenan's skimming vocals found a loyal audience, but it never truly challenged its fans. With Haha Sound, its second proper full-length and first in three years, Broadcast sends a slightly darker message. There's more clank and static, a creeping sense of malaise under the veneer. Guitars linger on a high, near atonal series of notes, Keenan's syrupy voice or an effected acoustic riff offering an organic respite from the simmering storm. The songs that extend these striking juxtapositions make for some of the best atmospheric music this side of Radiohead. And lest anyone fear that Broadcast is ignoring its melodic strengths, qualities that earned comparisons to Stereolab and St. Etienne, songs like the spirited "Man Is Not a Bird" and the carousel-like "Lunch Hour Pops" still provide moments of clarity, sounding like whimsical soundtrack numbers from quirky European films.
And even when it appears Broadcast is about to embark on a gloomy trip, as on the threateningly titled "Ominous Clouds," Keenan conjures a little-girl innocence that finds her avoiding the menace rather than riding on a Willy Wonka-like bad trip down a scary psychedelic tunnel. On this and the ringing "Colour Me In," Broadcast's strengths almost undermine the band, which achieves its more inspired moments when losing itself in the buzzes, drones and echoes that develop and evolve out of its pop songs. Of course, as the song "Oh How I Miss You" proves, the band is also capable of experimenting within its pop songs, which is why Broadcast is nearing the top of its game.