• Artist website: www.futurekingsandqueens.com
• Listen at: www.myspace.com/futurekingsandqueens
• Available on: Amazon MP3, CD Baby, eMusic

The Day The World Died was made by one guy named Dickie in his “home environment,” a story that I don’t doubt, but which seems ridiculously implausible given how awesome this album is. And it is freaking awesome. The sound is solidly electro-pop and comes in somewhere between She Wants Revenge moody and Blaqk Audio frenetic. The Day The World Died is definitely heavy on synth elements, which are executed beautifully and would be more than enough to make this album crazy good. Dickie has included enough moments of old-fashioned musicianship, like the retro piano elements in “I Hate You,” to give the album depth and credibility that would otherwise be lacking.

The Day The World Died has incredible range. The songs are all grounded in techno-pop, but each is shaded with enough unique influences to prevent the album from becoming the soundtrack to a 90s rave. “The End That Never Comes” soars like an 80’s theme song without the 80s cheestastic lyrics (although it comes pretty close). “The Day The World Died” is moodily atmospheric with an almost choral quality.

Dude’s also from Los Angeles. Point for the locals.

Standout tracks are “Race The Devil,” “I Hate You” and “The Day The World Died.”