Pitchfork

Demonstrating yet again that us record geeks should give up attempts at socializing for good, this week's AOL Interface session sees awkward resident robot "Jeff" interview mild-mannered Mojave 3 main man Neil Halstead, following a five-song acoustic set from the former Slowdiver.

While he doesn't have anything terribly interesting to say, it's quite soothing to listen to chilled-out Halstead's voice as he speaks on a whole mess of topics, including Rachel Goswell's ear infection, Puzzles Like You producer Victor Van Vugt, a particularly memorable gig in the actual Mojave Desert, the allure of pedals and turning it "up to 11", his seaside dwelling place, and the possibility of a Slowdive reunion (not bloody likely, alas).

Plenty of fellow musical acts get love from Neil as well: Nick Cave, Primal Scream ("they just do it for the love of making music"), Camera Obscura ("my favorite record of the moment"), tour opener Brightblack Morning Light ("absolutely awesome"), and even Serena-Maneesh ("I really love them; I think they're great").

Like Neil's chatter, his music is pleasant and calming, if hardly provocative. Here Halstead serenades us with "Who Do You Love", "Trying to Reach You", "Hummingbird Song (Most Days)", "High, Low and In Between", and "Puzzles Like You".

Totally bizarre to think this is the same guy who made Pygmalion.