Dead band walking!
Yesterday, I suggested that Belgian band GIRLS IN HAWAII seemed to take some cues from the now-defunct Modesto, California collective GRANDADDY. The six-song "EP" I've tongue-and-grooved together below may or may not prove my point....
[MP3] "Now It's On"
[MP3] "Elevate Myself"
[MP3] "I'm on Standby"
[MP3] "Lost on Yer Merry Way"
[MP3] "The Crystal Lake"
[MP3] "Shangri-La (Outro)"
GIRLS IN HAWAII are, in fact, boys from Belgium. As near as I can tell, the only other Belgian act I've ever bothered spotlighting around here was AN PIERLE & WHITE VELVET back in August. Which is inexcusable. And embarrassing.So, in a no-doubt-misguided effort to set things right, I'm going to gorge myself on Belgian waffles, chocolates, and endive (not to mention Brussels sprouts). Wash it all down with a succession of Belgian beers. Perhaps adopt a dog of Belgian breed. Griffon Bruxellois? Bichon frise? And the next time I'm asked at the the drive-thru if I want with fries with that, I shall imperiously reply: "Only if they are authentically Belgian! Arrayed in a cone of paper! With mustard, mayo, or peanut satay!" All of these things I will do (just as soon as I stop confusing Belgium with Holland and Holland with Denmark and Denmark with Delaware and Delaware with New Hampshire and New Hampshire with Hawaii and Hawaii with Holland... er... Belgium).Many of the songs on Girls in Hawaii's second album, PLAN YOUR ESCAPE, evoke the late, lamented GRANDADDY. That may be reason enough right there to feature them here.... GIRLS IN HAWAII on MySPACE.[MP3] "Bored"[MP3] "Summer Storm"
A bit of chamber pop for you today....JUSTIN RUSSO plays in the band HOPEWELL with his brother Jason and has also played keyboards with MERCURY REV. He formed THE SILENT LEAGUE in 2002 and released their debut album two years later. OF STARS AND OTHER SOMEBODIES, the band's sophomore effort, dropped in June.Generally-speaking, the Silent League traffic in sad, slow, lush pop. Mercury Rev are one touchstone. THE FLAMING LIPS and GRANDADDY are a couple of others.The Silent League will be playing NYC's Mercury Lounge on August 10 with LOS CAMPESINOS!.THE SILENT LEAGUE on MySPACE.
From the LP OF STARS AND OTHER SOMEBODIES, 2007 >>>
[MP3] "Kings and Queens"
[MP3] "Let It Roll"
From the LP THE ORCHESTRA, SADLY, HAS REFUSED, 2004 >>>
[MP3] "Breathe"
[MP3] [VID] "The Catbird Seat"
Dead band walking!
