The Apples in Stereo

Electronic Projects for Musicians is nothing more than an indie band's obligatory b-sides and rarities compilation. Yet an argument can be made that it's better than the Apples' previous album, the 24-track New Magnetic Wonder, an ambitious but flawed stab at ELO-like art pop. Electronic Projects, in contrast, captures the band doing what it has always done best: crafting nuggets of pure pop, plain and simple. There's no pretense here, just a 12-year overview of dudes idolizing Brian Wilson.