I love unexpected treats. Well I suppose everyone does , but how many would viewLost City Folk the debut album by City Reverb as an unexpected treat? Wellanyone in their right mind would. It's great.City Reverb is a band fronted by Chris Coco, Micky Buccheri and Audrey Nugent.Coco, D.J., producer and musician calls the music of City Reverb Robot Soulwhich is a pretty good description all things considered. Using influences likeNew Order, Kraftwerk and Velvet Underground the band created an alluringsynthesis of electronic pop, synthesized soul and low key dance with odd littlestylistic quirks thrown in for good measure.What do I mean by that? Well on the pulsing electro funk Central Heating ahoary great guitar riff suddenly hove's into view like a bellowing grizzly onthe dance floor at Stringfellows. There's some oddly out of tune trumpet too.Star Power develops round a lilting piano and sibilant percussion then goesall rock solo for the last third . Ghetto Glamour is like The Pet Shop Boysremixed by One Dove, a lovely somnambulant fusion. The luxurious down tempostrains of Everything Will Be Alright and the regimented catchiness of TimeSide On are terrific as well.Seventy Three ( complete with lyrical leg up from Stephen Duffy) is a warmharmonious wallow in nostalgia- a more straight up version of Denim .Its thelittle incremental details of the songs that make Lost City Folk such anindulgence.Pinsharp cuts across it's syncopated percussion with eeriekeyboards, peculiar bleeps and barfs and what sounds like treated brass. TheDrinking Song is a surprisingly affecting ballad. Hedonist has a keyboardrefrain over pitter patter rhythms so irresistible I find myself whistling it atthe most inopportune moments. Like on my bike when I'm pulling up a big hill andseriously out of breath. Not a good idea.The vocals are nothing to write home ,or indeed anywhere else ,about and one ortwo songs are a bit ...well dull I suppose but overall Lost City Folk is like Isaid a true treat. I bought this album on a whim and unlike a lot of my recentchoices it was an inspired decision. Soon this song will break your heart they sing on Time Side On . Not true much on this album will make your heartswell with joy.