by Sean Cooper
The cover art for the Gentle People's 1997 Rephlex full-length -- the band in full space race/cocktail-chic regalia standing before a bubblegum-pink background, their name gloriously rendered in plump, soap-bubble lettering -- is perhaps the best indication of what to expect here. The group's bluntingly non-threatening concoction of sugar-drenched cheese -- all fluffy exotica, 101 Strings-style muzak, and wispy, wordless backing vocals -- is tough to get through even two tracks of without either an exceedingly strong will or a good stiff drink.