Shapeshifters

It's easy to understand why the Shapeshifters — Simon Marlin and Max Reich — have scored four crossover chart hits in the U.K., including a top single with their initial release, "Lola's Theme." The DJ and production duo cherry-picks the catchiest elements of any number of styles (techno, electro, deep house, old-school rave, whatever else is lying around) and fuse them into slick, glittery productions full of hooks. In their role as DJs, the two seem to take the same tack, with similar results. The skill behind it is impressive, but the sound is brash and heavy. Taste they have, restraint not so much. Despite this fact — or because of it, perhaps — the music is easy to like, even if it would probably qualify as a guilty pleasure for both mainstream radio listeners and house heads, for different reasons. Yes, it might be cheesy, but who doesn't love a little cheese now and then? Sample the songs at myspace.com/theshapeshifters and then catch the act live this Saturday, April 19, at Vinyl.