Hypewatch – Vampire Weekend
Now, when indie bands try to import traditional African sounds and beats (I’m keeping the term continental as it’s not my area of musical expertise), and the music press start getting all excited I can’t help thinking that a trace of colonial guilt is being expressed. In place of decent musical critique you get uncomfortable righteous fawing. It’s not normal guitar band territory but 1.2 million listens on myspace for one song – either they’re bloody good or that’s a lot of guilt.
Press reaction aside, my problem is usually with bands or artists taking on this musical challenge. Its not that I don’t think that bands might be genuinely trying to create great music from a new influence in their lives, it’s more the fear that they’re not good enough to do so. What you’ll get is the bastard child of UB40 and Paul Simon. Or even worse, Sting. Rather than fusing the sound into something genuinely innovative, they’ll effectively create the musical equivalent of a kid copying all dad’s moves. Nice try son…
So I’ve approached Vampire Weekend with some trepidation after hearing Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wHl9qRsMzw). Recommended by Beth, Mick and my cousin Brenda out in California, and championed by NME they certainly qualify for Hypewatch attention.
We are all guilty (well, except me) of reacting to the boredom of everyday life by doing the complete polar opposite. NME have this lot as the band to go for if you fancy a break from crazed neon kids or mascara-heavy EMO bands
In Vampire Weekend you are taken on a journey into the world of preppy American under-grads, whose eyes and ears have just been introduced to a new musical world. The result: stories about preppy life set to an orgy of instruments with classical, rock and african continental heritage.
NME see this as something to make us feel very humble. On ‘Oxford Comma’:
“The prim choirboy harmonies – amplified by school-hall echo but without a hint of macho distortion – conceal an irresistible geek-pop tune played out over a delectable starched-collar groove. And have you ever before heard a lyric that elegantly rebukes grammar snobs and gives you a lesson in Tibetan geography before ultimately deferring to the wisdom of crunk rapper Lil Jon? “
You wouldn’t want to get stuck with these guys at a party.
It simply suggests the boys are confused. All very well showing off your sweeping knowledge but there’s a difference between cherry picking references and casually dropping them in conversation, and hoovering them up and spouting them at every opportunity to make you appear intelligent.
The confusion reigns through the music as well as the lyrics (Walcott being an example). Classical strings with african drums? Perhaps the bands name sums up the confusion – I was expecting something a little darker…
But actually, it is a promising debut. Musically, I have to single out A-Punk as the one song that gets things spot on – mixing influences strikingly well yet creating the essence of more recent New York sounds with its tight baselines, stand out lead guitar and masked vocals and in a stroke (pun intended) creating a great indie pop song.
And, despite all the above the album does grow on you after a while, but it’s taking me far too long to figure out. I currently have the musical patience of a hutch-bred boy rabbit being introduced to a field full of lady rabbits. So please, take your time, see what you think:
http://www.vampireweekend.com/music.php
Verdict: Have the ability but need to focus
Recommended for: Russ S, Carina, Laura S, Sarah T, Anna Sis, Nick
Steer clear: Justin, Danie, Caroline
Caught out there – The Seahorses
If I were a full time musician, and had conquered the world with a blinding debut album, but had seen others misunderstand my genius then, upon starting up a new band I’d be out to prove people wrong. Instead John Squire of Stone Roses fame hooked up with a busker and two other non-descripts (one who had a very dodgy goatee) and formed The Seahorses. It was promising initially, a bit of support from Noel who penned his own track (Love me and Leave me) and even toured with them, trademark wizardry on the guitar from Squire…but actually, a couple of songs aside you had to be the most dogged of Squire fans to hang on to this lot.
For those of you who like the Stone Roses I know you fall into one of two camps. You’re a purist or a realist. Half way through ‘I Am The Resurrection’ the song effectively ends, there’s a pause and then John Squire gets all fancy with a 5 minute guitar solo. Purists get all indignant when an indie club/radio station stops the song halfway through. Realists walk when they don’t. Not sure where you stand? Imagine watching the real resurrection. I mean, that’s going to be some event. Now imagine people banging on about it for the next 2000 years. That’ll be the guitar solo.
The Seahorses see Squire continue his preaching, except now the congregation is dwindling.
There was, however, one good indie ballad, written ironically by the busker. Blinded by the Sun. For a chance to believe again, the whole album is here.
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Seahorses
Verdict: Smart money was always on Ian Brown
Guilty parties – hmmm, only me? I reckon Vicki W, Si, Andy T and secretly, Russ
Recommended for:
Nick – despite all the above you can always improve on Jamiroquai.
Beccy – the Busker has a solo slot at LSS
Steer clear:
Donald – the unnecessary warbling and guitar nonsense will wind you up no end
Neon Neon
I would normally put this under Hypewatch. But the thing with Gruff Rhys and any project he turns his hand to, is that he never gets overly hyped, yet not a single review can find fault in his work. He is simply a music genius, with a very geeky Welsh voice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4lZqDmCO9c
Fans of all things super, furry and animal-like will not be surprised to hear that the boy has gone all 80’s and electronic, or that there’s a drop of hip hop in this project. You’re not going to put this pigeon in a hole.
Here’s their best tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vJi1fmdYbg&feature=related
And unlike the numpty charged with the eventual naming of Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, the name captures the essence of the music.
Recommended for:
Sarah T – I’m cheating, I’ve previously convinced you about this lot
Justin – If the Pet Shop Boys were a bit more alternative, this is what you may get
Sarah L – It’s not that he’s Welsh, its that he’s God.
Ben – He’s Welsh
Vicki HF – Swindon’s close to Wales…
Russ S – You may appreciate the film homage to Back to the Future
Caught out there – The Levellers
Second in the series, and this may cause a stir. I’ve not hugged any trees. I’ve not protested against a by-pass (despite my career choice). I don’t smell (well, not yet but my stance against Daniel Powter may change that).
The Levellers don’t really split opinions because no-one likes them. At least, not now. But we did. If you were 16 when Levelling the Land was released, then hearing the words “there’s only one way of life and that’s your own” may have had a teeny bit of meaning to you. You are a grown up after all and no-one should be telling you what to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XScq7NLRnYU
Coming from Cambridge, with the Folk Festival and all, the Levellers probably have a natural home so school friends and i can be excused. But now, can i look back with pride? Well, no. The fiddle sounds wrong on so many levels.
And they’re not misunderstood. People understand them perfectly well and still shout explitives.
But you can’t keep shaggy dogs down and a few years back they cleaned up their media image and hit us with a more slick production with what on the surface is a happy song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36gW-IPV0aA&feature=related
Lets be honest though, their reputation cannot be altered, so back to the nostalgia approach – for those who indulged in Levelling the Land, it’s time to cringe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyXN8G–MPM&feature=related
So the verdict is that you really can’t take pride here, keep this lot at the back of your CD collection and give the dust a home.
Not that that’ll stop them. They’ve got a new album…
http://www.myspace.com/levellers
Guilt trippers:
All the Cambridge lads – no you can’t blame the cider/Mad Dog 20 20/cans of lager in the car park before Feet First.
Innocent guv
Matt Christie – Last time I went to Newcastle, glam rock was still the sound/look to have – I can’t imagine Brighton-based fake Irish folk cut the mustard
Donald – Sympathy for the cause, or all a bit unecessary and inappropriate? I’m plumping for the latter
Anna sis – cos you’re far too cool for this
Camp rock
Welcome to a new genre, Camp rock. Dedicated to the most recent album by Of Montreal.
I’m not talking tents and guitars, this is all about dragging the likes of Scissor Sisters away from the glamour, putting them through a Rapture-like shredder and piecing together again to form music with attitude that still makes you want to dance in a faintly camp way. All moves and flailing arms.
Of Montreal are going to be the highlight of this year’s Leicester Summer Sundae, if my addiction to the album is anything to go by.
You can listen to the whole wonderful creation here:
http://www.ofmontreal.net/flashsite/index.html
To really experience what i mean, try Suffer for Fashion uninhibited in the privacy of your bedroom, or the unnecessarily named Heimdalsgate like a Promethean Curse (come on guys, that’s just pretentious).
However, the real gem of the piece is Gronlandic Edit (again, lets just have a name that makes sense). Mika, this is how to use falsetto, and the harmonies work here, as if in homage to Brian Wils… damn it.
Recommended for
Carolyn – Can you have the DJ play them at your wedding just to see how people dance to them?
Nick – I’ve seen you dance
Carina – It has something of a Sheffield feel about it, can’t quite explain. Steely edge to dance music!?
Russ S – It’s experimental enough for people not to be that interested, so get your teeth into them quick!
Beth and Beccy S – Because I will be dragging you both to see them at LSS!
Steer clear
Matt Christie – Doesn’t suit your Jagger-esque style
Caught out there – The Darkness
First in a new series…bands that I liked at the time but looking back, what the hell was i thinking. And I know I’m not alone…
Yes, the Darkness, faux shag rockers from East Anglia. Rockers don’t come from East Anglia. Cambridge hosts the most world’s most famous folk festival, please leave us and our webbed feet alone thank you.
But, as if caught up in some guilt-led excitement, i was the music equivalent of a girl just out of convent school, breaking all the catholic rules…i confess, i spent a whole day at the Darkness video shoot.
It’s easy to look back and sneer, but their gig at The Garage was genuinely exciting, Justin led around the crowd on the shoulders of his Roadie, proper power chords and harmonies on the lead guitar. Wonderful…see there I go again!!
Ok, lets be honest, it was fun while it lasted. But lets not play them in public again. Except at Christmas, because in one song, they found their purpose. Don’t let the Bells End just yet.
Guilt-trippers
Andy Brown and Carolyn – it’s all your fault
Kris – Blame your dad and his stadium rock heritage
James R and Bev – I’m sure you were on the ride with me
Matt Christie – I bet you were in a tribute band
Claire - Anything this cheesy has your prints all over
Innocent guv
Russ S – Wouldn’t even bat an eyelid
Paul – Nothing better than the real thing, so doubt you went near them
Mash secret rocker – Please say you didn’t!
