I am Compltely Oprationa l is a peculiar album for a punk label to release. If you assumed The Epidemic would be punk, you're wrong -- it's experimental pop-electronica, and very melodic for experimental stuff, as well. The sound is soothing, quiet and detached, and evokes no other emotion so strongly as fatigue.

Andy Dixon is the sole member of The Epidemic's staff. He occasionally sighs along with the music in a high tenor as he noodles about with the synth, strums guitar and twiddles knobs on his computer programs. The title isn't just a gimmick, either: the music will be playing, and the listener happily bopping along, when the tune will stop and start up again with odd gaps. You'll think your CD is scratched, or that your player is crusty with the ramen you had for lunch...but nope, these gaps are meant to be there. After all, as the label tells you, the thing's compltely oprationa l. The gaps are particularly notable in "If You Lived Here, You'd be Home Now", the most fatiguing song of the lot; you'll hear the distortion on the beginning of the track over soft synth chords ripped from a Rita Coolidge CD. Finish the song and you'll feel like you're wobbly drunk, or caught in a sensory deprivation tank. It's much the same feel you get from listening to Aphex Twin for an hour.

"Once Upon a Time There Was a Prints" includes a punchy drum machine over a looped synth chord that sounds like ripples in water, as Dixon croons the chorus in a wispy whisper -- "Four letter words are 'test' or 'less', not artist" -- which surely is significant to Dixon, if not to me. He sings "Benny, fuck Hawaii" in the most drawn-out, tender tone I've ever heard words invested with, and while I don't get it, it's definitely grooveable. In fact, I am Compltely Oprationa l sounds like "Once Around the Bend", only more lethargic, in infinite variations. The lyrics to the songs are probably meaningless to anyone but Dixon, but because they are so thoroughly cryptic, the listener can skip straight to the music's emotional content.

I am Compltely Oprationa l isn't the album you should listen to while operating heavy farm equipment, but it's definitely one for listening to when you want to be f*&%ed up and can't afford, or don't want, the drugs or drink most people use for that purpose. Completely enjoyable and relaxing, and totally undanceable, I am Compltely Oprationa l is one of those albums you almost want to hug.