This album came out in 2008, and based on this band's Spotify alone, it looks like they keep busy. They're minorly comparable to The White Stripes, but definitely have their own thing going on here. Ever noticed how you don't know most of the music that plays in the best TV shows though? This band is one of the many amazing ones that contributes those tracks. Speaking of which, I really need to go back and make a "Grey's" playlist...
Anywhos... The track-by-track!
"U.R.A. Fever" starts things off extremely cleverly. So we've got a male and female voice, trading off lines and coming together in the bridge and chorus. This is intense, biting, and lovely. Very simple beat lends itself well to lyrics that are anything but simple. This was also the first single and a video was released to accompany it:
We get our male voice back for "Getting Down." This band vaguely reminds me of a group I saw at a house show a year or so back. They performed in a little corner, but made that whole place light up. There's another rhythm thing going on here that's just fantastic to hear. There's something seriously fun and wonderful going on here.
"Last Day of Magic" keeps the energy high and dark. I am still not 100% sure what's going on here honestly. I think they lost me a tiny little bit on this track. Maybe I'll chalk it up to being sick? Is that an acceptable excuse? The thing that saves it for me is the video though. This time, it's an actually filmed video, not compiled footage:
"Black Balloon" made me think immediately of the Goo Goo Dolls, but trust me, it's nothing like it. It's haunting while maintaining a beat for you toes. There's been a over-lying darkness to this entire album in a way that actually doesn't make it completely depressing. It's got just the right balance of what you need. There's a video for it too, which I think does a freaking amazing job of personifying the band's feel:
"Sour Cherry" has this insane downbeat that almost makes you want to drop it like its hot. Yes, you read that right. I'm not digging this one as much - I think it's almost too stripped down for me; there's something missing. It's interesting though, and I always dig the weird. Here's a live video from SxSw, because I think the live experience can be so much a part of what a band is. This one seems to not disappoint!
"What New York Used To Be" is already interesting to me thanks to the title. They the song starts and I'm confused as hell, but kind of okay with it. Someone's mixing something weird on that board. The only thing keeping me from this track is the electronic sound to the voices as well. It's a departure from a lot of what we've already been hearing, without leaving the idea of the album as a whole. Eh, yeah, I'm a little confused too.
"Goodnight Bad Morning" slows things way down with much more familiar sounds. This is actually kind of trippy in a way - something much more appropriate to get lost in than the rest of the album. I love it enough to hear this on a bad day in some twisted way.
We end with "Night Train" which leaves me wondering how many times I've used "departure from" in this write-up. Again, something different. There's a heavy emphasis on the electric guitar and giving it that garage band sound. I like that she's taking charge here, "all my lovers take the train." There's something oddly empowering and kick-ass to this one.
Stuff I Wouldn't Mind Hearing Again:
- "Cheap and Cheerful" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Getting Down" - Spotify, YouTube
- "Hook and Line" - Spotify, YouTube
- "M.E.X.I.C.O." - Spotify, YouTube
- "Night Train" - Spotify, YouTube
Actually if I'm being honest, given the right atmosphere, I could probably listen to this whole thing again.
The US Heatseakers chart placed this one at #1 actually. This is a chart compiled of songs that haven't made it into the Billboard top 100 with their initial release, but are kicking ass in sales regardless (just not as good as those top 100) and are set to do something big.
The title apparently refers to that moment when the moon comes up and everyone else goes to bed. I think it's appropriate, then, for me to get the feel of wanting to get ready to go out to that album. I like the general feel of the band, and am incredibly grateful to have gotten into them. I feel more enlightened and kick-ass after this album. :)
Thoughts? Did you discover something new here tonight? Or am I behind the times? Either way, let me know!