Brooklyn's own Harlem Shakes released their first full-length album this week on Gigantic Music. This follows an acclaimed self-released debut EP from 2007, as well as a successful tour with Tokyo Police Club this Spring, and SXSW appearances that Paste Magazine applauded. Things seem to only be looking up with Technicolor Health. Recorded with Chris Zane (The Walkmen, White Rabbits), the quiet energy of the album is full of memorable vocals and lyrics - in fact, all five members of the band sing. The album opens with "Nothing But Change Part II" ("Nothing But Change Part I" is available exclusively through iTunes), and includes the lines "I know I'm just a singer/But I feel it in my finger/There are changes coming soon/Nothing but change". The line reflects the fact that the band acknowledges that they are only musicians but still feel like their music can be influential. The album continues with "Strictly Game" which showcases some of the Latin beats that apparently often play outside of their apartment as they try to sleep. Must-listen to tracks on the album include "Niagara Falls" and "Radio Orlando". The music is infectious and the choruses catchy, I listened to these multiple times while thinking back on their Orlando show with Tokyo Police Club and wishing I had taken some videos of them. The title track closes out the album, and while not the strongest song, it seems to appropriately end the album with Brent's drumming and Lexy's vocals (the two original band members) tying the song and album together. It is also nice to know from experience that the songs sound just as good live as on the recorded album. As they say in "Strictly Game", "This will be a better year" for Harlem Shakes for sure, as they have already been met with so much success thus far. See my pictures from their recent Orlando show: http://www.frontandcenterrock.com/shows/tokyopolice.html Learn more about the band on their Official website www.harlemshakes.com or on their MySpace www.myspace.com/harlemshakes
|
