So you know what sucks? That we all don't live in New Zealand (which could really use your help and money btw) In New Zealand, this band is so popular that is pisses people off because they've gone mainstream. New Zealand has enough incredible music to choke some sort of large-throated mammal. Plus I think the eighties are still happening there, but with the internet going on at the same time! Which means that everyone dresses like a hipster but has no idea what that means and they write eighties music but with absolute sincerity.
Oh... I was talking about the band The Naked & Famous. Passive Me, Aggressive You, their debut album, basically swathes together all of my favorite musical sounds and spreads them out evenly over a record. Totally personal preference but fuzzy background drone mixed with electro beats and synth, male and female vocals singing driving, clear melodies. Sha-bam! That's me to a T. If you mashed Mates of State and Shiny Toy Guns (when they are being good) into one group and relocated 'em, that would be The Naked & Famous.
This is one of those records with a really even sound, so it's hard to remember which song is which. Either that is because they are a little limited in their scope or each song is so good that you forget about the other songs by the time it ends. Or both. I say a little of both. I've listened to it about 4-5 times now, almost back to back and by far the stand out song is 'Young Blood', the single. But the opening track 'All of This' is a great cut, as is 'The Sun' with it's Nine Inch Nails spare piano opening. The more I revisit the more I cut out some of the inconsequential songs and what started as a 13 track album ends at about 9 or 10. But 9 out of 13 good songs is a damn good percentage, so they are still winning. I can tell you right now this isn't my Album of the Year or anything, but a really strong release nonetheless.
I don't really know Rooney, though in my mind they sit right below Motion City Soundtrack on the popularity scale and compare with The Cribs for sound. And Phantom Planet. If I were going to take a whack-stab at where this newest record-'Eureka'-stands in the world of Rooney, I would say about the same. Which doesn't seem to be a bad thing, since about the same for Rooney means very solid and very very safe. Straightforward as a pop punk influenced rock record can get. The first track "Holdin' On" grew on me big-time after a couple listens, very hooky and maybe smidge introspective on the lyrical end? If the album was a 5 song EP I think it would be perfect, because "Into the Blue" grabs my attention right at the front and then as soon as the chorus hits it sort of loses me. By then end of the song I am ready to let the whole album go. But it just keeps going on! I bet most people have a hard time getting to the back half of the record listening straight through, because something very decisively stops at the 5th track
Ultimately I am surprised because over the past couple of days/week I have kept coming back to it, just to try and figure out exactly what it is, who it sounds like, what works and what doesn't. I really just want to say 'Eh, it's ok' and toss it aside but for some reason I feel like that isn't giving it the fair shake it deserves. Maybe I will listen more and do another write up later on down the road.
Anyways! That is what I've been listening to, there is a Laura Marling EP sitting in my collection that I really want to hear, so I feel like that might be the next project. And maybe the Oh Land EP.........Ep's are going to be the end of me, there are so many! Today's bands were The Naked & Famous from New Zealand and Rooney from LA. Go forth!
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