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indie-snob>+!#
The sounds @ the metro (2-17-04)
With ima robot, kill hannah |
 Photo: Jens-Christof Niemeyer There were few redeeming qualities to the infamous Rooney show I saw in September, however, the Sounds were the best part of it. It also didn't help that several of my friends became terribly obsessed with Ima Robot after the Hot Hot Heat show in October. So, tonight was an evening of openers. Kill Hannah is a favorite of local posers. You'll see their patches peoples' bags right next to that Good Charlotte Riot Girl logo (they don't even have the decency to spell it corretly). If you're lucky, you've seen them featured in the Chicago Tribune… then again, maybe you just don't remember seeing them. However, how could you miss a bunch of fake pretty boys with more normal hair colors together on one head and slightly less make-up than a band of the sort needs? Unfortunately, their fans look like that too, and on this night, they were out in full force. But, Ima Robot did not fail to provide temporary relief. Their spazzed out, but quite pop friendly, tunes were enjoyable and fun to dance to as usual. Singer Alex Ebert flopped around as he screamed lyrics off their self-titled debut. While the sexual references may not be as pronounced as, oh, say Peaches, they are present and make Alex's shirtless romp that much more enjoyable. However, the band lacks a certain spontaneity where the songs are so precise and dictated they have trouble straying from the path. In this way, it makes a dance band of the sort that much less enjoyable. I suppose its one of the troubles releasing a major label debut, but I still would have expected a tad more. It's not to say the performance wasn't highly enjoyable, but nothing out of the ordinary. Grade: B+ Oh and Kill Hannah. Trust me, I thought about making shirts that said Kill Kill Hannah, and who wouldn't? However, I worried for my safety. The crowd went wild jumping to the terribly mediocre songs by the horribly mediocre band. Imagine Placebo watered down sprinkled with a boy band, N*Sync like attitude. Scary? I would say so. People were so infatuated with the actual image of the band, that is, make-up, black clothes and terribly ugly hair, that I'm not sure anyone was really listening to the music. I mean, I'd be surprised. I won't say that Kill Hannah is absolutely terrible, but I don't understand what's to like. Sure, their music would be great with more keyboards and some more strongly distorted guitar to at least add some interest, but when a band is based all on image, it doesn't help my opinion of them much. Fuck fake goth, I can't take it, and no one should have to put up with it. It's bullshit and I'm sick of bands trying to make money off of it. I bet the KH boys don't even listen to the Cure. So, throw away that fucking eyeliner. Grade: F+ (at least their music has potential) The crowd cleared out. There was no doubt Kill Hannah brought in a hometown crowd, but goddamn, at least the Sounds are good! (Please pardon the uncommon use of swearing in this review, I just hate Kill Hannah so much!) Maja, singer, came out wearing something like a low-cut nurse's outfit made out of t-shirt material. Jesper, keyboardist, was wearing a white wife beater highlighting his muscles. There's no doubt the Sounds exude some sexual energy within their music. And hey, it's damn fun to watch and dance to. Listening to the Sounds is like a high, you feel so wonderful and can barely even explain why. Maja's vocals almost remind me a classic rock given a riot grrrl makeover. The keyboards are standard to any nü-wave band of the sort, but it doesn't stop me from liking them. Hey, I'm not saying the Sounds are anything new. It's radio friendly synth pop that's featured on VH1. Maybe since they're from Sweden it makes them special to the garage scene, but whatever. When you hear "Living In America", "Seven Days A Week", "Dance With Me", "Riot" or "S.O.U.N.D.S.", you'll understand. And when you can dance like a maniac screaming along to these songs, you'll know exactly why the Sounds put on the perfect live show. Something about their attitude makes you feel welcomed, and what a wonderful feeling it is. Grade: A Related reviews: |