Never a group to let grass grow beneath their feet, Emperor Penguin are back with their third album in less than twelve months. While the disc begins with a quote from Rod Serling's Night Gallery (carefully modified to mention EP), what follows is far from sinister.

Mysterious Pony cuts loose immediately with the infectious "E.D.G.A.R.", which teams persistent percussion, a throbbing bass rhythm and a bouncy keyboard melody. From there, it's on to mellower, funkier climes; check out the chewy, gooey synthesizer squelch action on "Makin' It," not to mention the flute-fill samples on the ultra-suave "Chill or Be Chilled."

The title track opens with a blury of synthesized drums, then works itself into a slow-burning groove as a vocorder intones "Mysterious Pony" time and again. If I was a TV executive circa 1974, and was developing a series about a youthful horse turned PI, with a shadowy past and an eye for the ladies, this would be the theme song I'd write.

"Soft and Easy" -- listed on our review copy, presumably mistakenly, as "Extreme Gaming" -- throws together sampled voices, gently lulling vocals and a gorgeous analog melody. In situations like this, EP sound like Air, only with more ideas.

Perhaps aware that three albums in a year could breed contempt, EP have made Mysterious Pony a far subtler and more sophisticated effort than Extreme Gaming. Its pleasures are simpler, its attitude less assertive. Those who appreciated EP as a borderline novelty act will be obliged to look elsewhere, but the rest of us will welcome the ongoing refinement of their sound.