Fitz and the Tantrums - "Out Of My League" [single] (2013)

Fitz and the Tantrums' new record, More Than Just A Dream, is upon us and I couldn't help but share this single because it's catchier than mononucleosis.  Maybe it's Fitz's anachronistic hair cut.  Maybe it's their stylish and colorful music videos.  Maybe it's the frenetic way Noelle always shimmies around on-stage while banging a tambourine on her gyrating hips (especially eye-catching when done Tina Turner-style in sequins dresses).  Maybe it's the fact that they were and still are, perhaps, one of the most dynamic live bands I remember seeing at SXSW 2011, let alone at the entire Dangerbird Records showcase.  Maybe it's my fascination with their refusal to feature guitar in their songs, almost as a personal band challenge to separate themselves from every other band on the planet and to find creative ways to fill out their sound.  Or maybe, it's simply all of the above.  "Out Of My league" sounds like a bit of a departure from some of their previous efforts that were dripping wet with retrosexuality and I'm not quite sure about this indie-poppish direction in which they're headed.  Is this a reinvention of sound, image, concept, quality?  Noticeably absent: the blue-eyed neo-soul elements or even a modicum of that brass section I became accustomed to from the "MoneyGrabber" days.  Who knows, but for now I really dig this track.  Not enough to move to Los Angeles and start my own tantrum, but enough to recommend "Out Of My League" to you.

Fitz & The Tantrums - "MoneyGrabber" (single)

I learned fairly quickly that when Fitz throws a tantrum, you best stop, drop, and listen. Fresh off the heels of their Songs For A Break Up Vol. 1 EP (still lovin' that album art), I heard "MoneyGrabber" (free mp3) off of their new full-length Pickin' Up The Pieces and instantly dug it... hard. F&TT have this quasi neo indie retro soul thing going on that's utterly refreshing, makes me want to chair-dance and shimmy-shake at my computer, and is such a nice stark contrast against all the downer music that usually rules my wintry airwaves. This single particularly held my interest long enough to want to check out the rest of their LP. To say this shit is Motown-influenced is only partially accurate. I'd rather say it borrows from Motown, but then takes it one step further in another direction adding a little sumthin' sumthin' of their own. Plus, I really love the colors in this stylish music video. It all works and temporarily distracts from Fitz's anachronistic hairstyle.

Upon first listen, two things came to mind. 1) The first thing I said to myself was "Man, these guys must be from L.A. or something." Lo and behold I was right, except this time I didn't half-jokingly roll my eyes like I usually do at the thought of La La Land-based bands. 2) The next thing I thought was how I wanted to immediately share this "new find" with Awmercy because it totally reminded me of something I suspected he especially would go nuts over. I was feeling particularly cocky and it was high-time I recommended something new and awesome to him first for a change (instead of the usual other way around). Much to my consternation, I did a search and, of course, that jerk has already mentioned Fitz a zillion times before on QuickCrit. What was I thinking?! My musical hubris rests indefinitely until next time.

Postscript: If there is a slight chance that this music falls under QuickCrit's ever-exclusive and much ballyhooed "stripper soul" genre, I am not entirely certain. Nightrain, please do feel free to advise.

Top 5 Shows That Should Be Rescheduled

Brasilliant and I are finally off on a two week vacation to Belgium and Germany. And while I am excited about the trip and can't complain about the opportunity to eat my weight in wurst and rustic breads, I will be missing a couple killer shows. Besides the first half of MusicfestNW, here are my top 5 shows that should be rescheduled:

5. Maximo Park @ Berbati's Pan, September 8
   I love too many of their songs to have never seen them live.
   
   
4. The Upsidedown, Asteroid #4 and The Morning After Girls @ Doug Fir, September 12
   It's hard to believe three of my favorite current psychedelic rock bands are all on the same bill.
   
   
3. Floggin Molly and Fitz & the Tantrums, Roseland Theater, September 15
   I'm curious to see if Fitz's performance matches the energy of the EP and it's been ages since I've seen Flogging Molly.
   
   
2. The Night Marchers @ Berbati's Pan, September 6
   Because sometime you just need Speedo to kick you in the ass and remind you what rock n' roll should sound like.
   
   
1. Black Joe Lewis @ Mississippi Studios, September 4
   Jeff The Brotherhood & Ty Segall @ East End, September 4
   This likely would be a last minute coin toss for either lo-fi garage rock or horn-drenched garage soul.
   

Fitz And The Tantrums - Songs For A Break-Up Vol.1 (2009)

While I tend to prefer grittier southern soul to the polished and smooth northern variety, the Motown-influenced Fitz and the Tantrums' will be a nice addition to my next summer mixtape. It's blue-eyed soul with serious pop cross-over appeal. In fact, unlike most of the retro artists you hear these days, this actually sounds like something your mom or dad might have heard it on their AM radios. I hear a little of the 5th Dimension's California soul vibe going on in"Breakin' The Chains Of Love" and the chorus of "We Don't Need Love Songs" reminds me of the Spinners' "The Rubberband Man". Or maybe these songs just sound like a couple highlights off one of those old Slow Jams CDs I used to see in the bargain bins. Either way, these will go great with BBQ .