Plug Research founder Allen Avanessian was striving for a groundbreaking, all-out collaboration with a hodgepodge of his artists-what resulted is a collection of gimmicky leftfield hip-hop ditties and glitch-heavy jazz. Avanessian and Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel, The Postal Service) produced most of these gritty, slow-paced rhythms and melodies collaborating with players like John Tejada, Daedelus and Thomas Fehlmann. Though the names are respectable and the sound is trendy, the beats are ultimately lifeless, and they center all the attention on guest MCs like Beans, Lady Dragon and Subtitle. Headset presents cold fusion indie hip-hop for intellectuals that want to be down.