Try To Educate A Black Sheep: My Current Obsession Over Two Door Cinema Club

Try To Educate A Black Sheep: My Current Obsession Over Two Door Cinema Club

It has been a while since I stumbled upon a really breakthrough band. Nothing really good has been leaking as of late, or perhaps my taste has deteriorated since I am officially over the hill at the tender age of twenty-one. In the past two weeks, however, I have went from casually hearing this band once on Hypem to buying tickets for their stint at Bowery Ballroom in May to streaming their album six times on MySpace in the span of the day. Yes, folks, I have a new obsession, and their name is Two Door Cinema Club.

Singer/lead Ginger Alex Trimble, guitarist Sam Halliday and bassist Kevin Baird are bringing back indie disco all the way from Ireland (I speak like indie disco has existed since the actual age of disco, but this is not the case). Despite the lack of percussions, one can hardly tell with alternative beats coming from a well-programmed Mac. While their first song I heard, “Do You Want It All” is a lot mellower than the rest of their album, it still has that rhythmic pulse that truly brings the song to life. “Something Good Can Work” has the worldly sound that Vampire Weekend adopted on their debut album, while “I Can Talk” turns into this frantic, Hot Chip-esque orgy of noise that somehow meshes extraordinarily well together. Since the MySpace leak, I’ve grown a fond appreciation for “Come Back Home”, “This Is The Life” and “You’re Not Stubborn”. However, my favorite has remained “Undercover Martyn”. It’s a ditty that combines an opening that slightly resembles Foo Fighters’ “Everlong”, Minus the Bear riffs, and castanets. God knows I love the castanet.

Anyway, check these lads out. They’re one of my picks for Big Deals in 2010.

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Hello, Fyfie, Come to the States!

Hello, Fyfie, Come to the States!

Previously posted on WeekInRewind.com

Not many people in the United States know who the avant-garde pop band Guillemots is. The indie band has done pretty well for themselves overseas. Their 2006 album, "Through The Windowpane," was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, had some chart success with their singles “Trains to Brazil” and “Get Over It,” toured with Rufus Wainwright and has former Beatle Paul McCartney as a fan. With all of this success under their belt, one would think that they would try their luck in their states.

Instead, only front man Fyfe Dangerfield is making the trip. While his debut album as a solo artist may be hitting America in mid-March, Dangerfield already is being buzzed about. With his retro sound and genuinely sweet lyrics, the man is sure to set many hearts racing and listeners tuned in.

Some of the tracks from Dangerfield’s forthcoming release, "Fly Yellow Moon," have been put up on his MySpace page, so it’s a good opportunity to preview his talent. One of the tracks, “When You Walk In The Room,” has been circulating the Internet for the past few months. This one, in particular, is a personal favorite of mine. From his parched-sounding screech in the first few seconds to the bubbly combination of California-tinged-guitar and vintage piano, it’s a fun love song that will somehow find its way on my Valentine’s Day playlist. Fyfe also knows how to play simply, as in the song “Firebird” and “Don’t Be Shy." He knows how to make beautiful music with an acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics. It almost makes you forget that the rest of the instrumentals are taking a hiatus. The switch-up from high energy to mellowness between songs creates a good medium. The 29-year-old’s first single, “She Needs Me,” showcases his talent in a pretty, adult-alternative package.

While the album might be lost in the mix of other, more popular singer-songwriters in America, "Fly Yellow Moon" is worthy of a listen. Fyfe Dangerfield may initially seem safe with his musical decisions, but he does show that he isn’t afraid to have fun and play around with the auto-tune a bit. Trust me, the auto-tune not a bad thing on this record. Also, Dangerfield will be going on a tiny tour to promote the album. If you’re in the New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia or Austin area between now and mid-March, I highly recommend previewing him at one of his live shows, where it’s a near guarantee that he’ll serenade you into a haze of cheerful lust.

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This MC Can Kiss Me Anyday

This MC Can Kiss Me Anyday

Previously posted on WeekInRewind.com

Back in early 2006, electro rapper Uffie released the single "Pop The Glock." Earning rave reviews from both critics and music listeners, Uffie landed a record deal with French label Ed Banger Records. Strangely, she disappeared for a while until just recently. Not only did she finally release a video for "Glock," but also her latest single, "MCs Can Kiss," hit the Internet and took the hipster world by storm.

One word to describe the tune is colorful. The track sounds like a combination of French band Justice and typical 1980s break dancing tracks. Along with that, Uffie has an attitude in her lyrics comparable to M.I.A. However, they are not completely alike, since M.I.A. typically gets very political and very honest. Uffie gets honest, but only when mentioning her rap skills. She states, “I’m an entertainer, not a lyricist." Instead, she's more focused on having a good time. She hollers out to the “freaks that come out at night” and “the ladies who are ready to play” who want to spend their Saturday night dancing until the morning. While the tune ends with a messy saxophone solo, I doubt many listeners will judge the rapper’s lack of instrumental skill. Most people will probably be too absorbed in the fact that the track is absolute fun.

Uffie’s "MCs Can Kiss" may have debuted a little later than most had expected, but the wait was worth it. The track solidifies the longevity of electro pop, and also marks Uffie’s unofficial comeback. Eager listeners are encouraged to pick up her album "Sex, Dreams and Denim Jeans" when it drops in February 2010.

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