New 4-song EP from these quirky lo-fi synth punks.

Our take: Set-top Box previously released a compilation of two cassettes on Erste Theke Tontrger; now theyre back with a new, stand-alone 4-track EP on Frances Polaks Records. Max Headroom continues with the style Set-top Box established on their earlier cassettes: a jittery, pop-infused, yet homespun take on what we now call egg punk. I know everyone hates that term, but when something has this trebly lo-fi production, robotic-sounding rhythms, and Chuck Berry riffs twisted into angular shapes, you have to call a spade a spade. While Set-top Boxs sound is consistent with the egg punk world, their songwriting is strong, with the synth-led Climb the Latter summoning the pop sheen of Freedom of Choice-era Devo and DNA reminding me of Ausmuteants nervous synth-punk. A solid grip for those of us who like catchy punk tunes with grit and personality.