Songs
Songs
The beauty of Songs is that they sound like they don’t care – even if they do, writes DOM ALESSIO.
The image of your prototypical “rock star” may have evolved over time, but ever since Elvis shook his hips oh so provocatively on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1956, we wanted our musicians to exude bravado, recklessness and an air of not giving a shit. Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Kurt Cobain, Stephen Malkmus (if you wear a cardigan): all examples of creative geniuses who seemingly couldn’t give a fuck whether you liked their music or not, they just wrote songs because that was their raison d’etre. Somewhere along the line – I blame 1996 – pop music morphed into this gratuitously lacquered beast, garishly gleaming with slick production and contrived perfection. It all culminated with the ’80s revival a couple of years ago, but as we near the end of the decade it feels like there’s a revolt, albeit a passive-aggressive one, from a core group of musicians electing instead to present that time-honoured rock’n’roll facade of ostensible nonchalance.
Shaun Prescott touched upon the unrefined aesthetic of Melbourne’s The Twerps in his review of their debut EP, and while Sydney quartet Songs shares an undeniably similar mentality, their touchstones are quite different. Their self-titled debut opens with the kind of jangly, clipped guitars redolent of The Clean and other Flying Nun luminaries. ‘Farmacy’ is pop in its roughest form, borrowing melodies from the Dunedin sound, as well as The Velvet Underground’s penchant for drug-lined lyricism. It’s a harbinger for what’s to follow: songs that relish playing with and in the pop idiom, endearingly loose but not sloppy. Vocalist Max Doyle (yes, the same Max Doyle: Photographer Extraordinaire) has his Lee Renaldo going on in ‘Something to Believe In’ and ‘Out With The Curse’. He sings within a fairly limited range, but for Doyle it’s more about tone than pitch, particularly on the latter.
“Songs fit well within the current ’90s revivalist movement, but this band is much more than a fickle throwback.”
Musically, Songs flitter between the proper pop-via-punk of The Velvet Underground, the No Wave atmosphere that an act such as Sonic Youth peddled and, as mentioned before, The Clean. But I’m particularly enamoured of the Songs tunes where the band lends their hands at shoegaze. The lumbering ‘It’s Dry’ towards the end of the disc is unique for the album because it’s driven by waves of reverential organ, while Doyle and Ela Stiles sing beautifully in tandem. When Stiles takes to the mic solo for the driving tune ‘Retreat’, it’s an absolute joy to hear her ethereal cadence floating effortlessly above the controlled cacophony of distorted guitars. Her voice is utilised once again in unison with Doyle’s on the disc’s brilliant final track, ‘My Number’. Subtly building over its six minutes, the rumbling bass line, insistent drumming, churning organ and fuzzed-out guitars truly epitomise everything that’s great about Songs’ debut.
Songs fit well within the current ’90s revivalist movement, but this band is much more than a fickle throwback. They mightn’t be creating music that’s wildly unique, but their philosophy on pop – that it doesn’t have to be spotless, that notes can be missed and tones don’t need to be unnaturally polished – is representative of a wider shift away from perfection, music-as-commodity and AutoTune. But the real beauty is that it sounds like they just don’t care, even if they do. That’s a real rock star for you.
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Songs’ self-titled debut is out now on Popfrenzy.
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Holy crap is this a great record! I can't wait for the launch.
For those wanting to get it on iTunes here is the link.
http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/different-light/id341742065?i=341742076&uo=6
Ooops... here
And don't forget the launches this week
Thursday November 26
SYDNEY - Oxford Art Factory with Panel of Judges and Lost Animal
Saturday November 28
BRISBANE - The Clubhouse with The Jezabels
Sunday November 29
MELBOURNE - Workers Club with Kes Band, Fabulous Diamonds and The Ancients
It's not comming out on LP, is it?
It will be later on. Around the time of the New Zealand release which is end of January.
Damn, wasted me money on a CD then, didn't it.
Cool though, thanks.
Didn't really like this when I first heard it but after spending a bit of time listening over the weekend... I DIG IT.
adelaide show by any chance?
Songs - Something to Believe In.
That one right there has some of the best production I've heard all year.
I like the clip on the myspace.
Bad band name for Google searching.
The Workers Club is as proud as punch to announce the return of the Sundae Workers Series. Continuing the diversity offered in series #1 and #2, the Sundae Workers Series #3 will take place over four Sundays beginning on the 29th of November. The Sundae Series #3 will offer you an array of captivating and iconic line ups, trawling the depth of hypnotic romanticism and soaring the heights of super catchy explosive pop. Get in early as this one is going presale and will be sure to sell out quick!
**
For a Full Series Pass to all of the following shows, go to: http://www.moshtix.com.au/Search.aspx?s=0&q=sundae%20workers%20series&c=1|2|3|4|5|6&v=0&p=0&from=20091118&to=20101118
Sunday Nov 29 Songs Album Launch w/ Kes Band + Fabulous Diamonds + The Ancients
Sunday Dec 6 the church w/ Alexander & Thomas (Oh Mercy)
Sunday Dec 13 I heart Hiroshima + Danimals + Gold Tango + Love Connection
Sunday Dec 20 Kelley Stoltz (USA) + The UV Race +The Breadmakers + Ships Piano**
attending the sydney launch! anyone know the playing times?
Danimals - great!
I've wasted an embarrassing amount of time looking for this band's myspace page. link please?
Schlongs
Yeah, i've attempted all sorts of different boolean in google, alas to no cigar. Thankyou untold/animals.
Once upon a time I would have received a promo of this album. sigh
You can have my CD when the vinyl comes out.
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No vinyl man..... No Aus pressing anyway.
Sorry, it kinda sounded like I was referring to wax huh...... Nope, was given the CD earlier this week and have be loving it.
cool. i think the vinyl's out soon though, if not already
2 x LP too, not out yet.
Songs fucking rules.
So there will be vinyl Junkie?
Yep, got told in Jan by Steve that it was coming out on 2 x LP due to the lenght of it.
Sweet!
Such a fucking solid effort! Out With a Curse, Just An Idea, and My Number are favs.
Some pretty killer lyrics throughout the LP.
Brilliant.
So excited to hear it's coming out on vinyl - I was holding out. Anyone check em out last night with Pikelet? There was so much on.
They totally bummed out (with both the weather and venue) when they launched here in Melbourne.
My love for this band totally doubled after last weekend. awesome people.
This album rules. Saw them support Yo La Tengo in February and bought the album afterwards. Will attend every show they ever play in Brisbane.
Any word on vinyl?
necessary vinyl bump. oh and possibly the worst album/ band to google in the world.
the records are lost at sea somewhere.
seriously.
they left america months ago.
we are in the process of trying to track them down.
When we finally get them in our hands, you will know about it, they will be glued to our f**kn foreheads in celebration.
New clip, ace too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8MPlmtS1o4&feature=player_embedded
Come on, watch this!
It's real good.
Props to Claire Evans for making this.
Holy shit, that is beautifully shot. Awesome. Thank you Phil.
Fuck'n word!
1st setting is amazing!
Would have liked more of it. but the clip as a whole is great.
''Oh No'' is a pearler of a song.
That is all.