Monday, January 19, 2009

Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health (2009)

Posted by awmercy | Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

I loved the Harlem Shakes' 2007 Burning Birthdays EP. After over a year passed and instead of a debut, we got a decent side project album by the Arms, I was worried that might be all. But it appears the wait has been worth it. On Technicolor Health the Harlem Shakes bring the sunshine and good times to New York City indie rock. The album infuses some of the Little Ones' pop sensibilities into the cool and angular sounds of the Walkmen, French Kicks, and the Joggers. It's a mix of bright and swirling keyboards, stuttering drum beats, and propulsive strumming all fused together with a handful of hooks and catchy choruses. This may be my favorite type of indie rock. The song "Strickly Game" captures the album's tempered optimism in the repeated refrain "This will be a better year." On the eve of a historic presidential inauguration, the mixture of hope and wariness seems particularly relevant. "TFO", "Sunlight" and "Natural Man" are my favorites.

9 comments:

awmercy said...

So far this and the new Animal Collective and A.C. Newman albums are my favorites of the new year. Granted it is only 20 days old.

January 20, 2009 7:57 PM  
Nightrain said...

HotKAtato is going to write the Animal Collective review... I have been told.

January 21, 2009 9:31 PM  
Mona said...

Okay. This CD is really amazing. I'm kinda pissed off I didn't get into these guys later. Way to put NY indie back on the map.

Touring Tokyo Police Club and/or Born Ruffians... can it get any effin better than that?!

February 24, 2009 10:21 PM  
Mona said...

Scratch "later" and please insert "earlier"

February 24, 2009 10:22 PM  
Mona said...

Touring with* ... jeez, I need to get more sleep, haha.

February 24, 2009 10:23 PM  
awmercy said...

I guess you should read this blog more, then you'dbe in the know.

Ha!

February 24, 2009 11:42 PM  
Mona said...

Ouch! I know, PopWreckoning has taken over my life, but I am determined to come back to QC bigger and badder than before. I dunno how to do it, you're my music writing hero!

Expect my top 5 post today!

February 25, 2009 9:03 AM  
Mona said...

How you* do it.

WTF, seriously, I can't type anymore.

ps- I still read this alot, just haven't posted my thoughts in a bit. But I will!

February 25, 2009 9:05 AM  
Mona said...

Okay, I still can't stop listening to this record. It's pretty ridic, still. They totally sound like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Strokes, Born Ruffians, Vampire Weekend all mixed together, but better than any one of those bands! I need to see them live asap!!!!!!

March 10, 2009 5:24 PM  

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