Monday, August 24, 2009

The XX



I feel like all the new cool Pitchfork/Hype Machine bands are all these uber-trendy-electro-dance-punk-rock that no one really likes, but the internet music crowd pretends to like them because nobody has heard of them. I was pretty sure, given their spot at the top of the hypemachine's "most blogged" artists list -- see the sidebar on their website -- they were going to fit into that uber-trendy, but unlistentoable category.

But, and granted this analysis is based on two whole songs "Basic Space" and "Crystalised", the XX is much more laid back than I expected. It would be inaccurate to say that the XX is not at all part of the uber-trendy-electro band movement, but, again, based on my two song experience, they seem to be one level cooler and thus don't need to be all brash with the electro ish. I mean, look at the photo, they're so cool that they don't even look at the camera when their picture is being taken!

After doing a lot (not a lot) of research I have discovered that they have a self-titled album out now, which presumably you can purchase from the usual outlets. Also, they do a pretty cool cover of "Teardrops" (which, I guess is not a cover of Massive Attack's "Teardrop", so, sorry if you're an ass and were offended by that mis-cue earlier).

[mp3] The XX - Basic Space

"Crystalised"

9 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

hey Bobby, I'm right behind you.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

it's not my fault you can't not listen to music, and then act like you have and attempt to write about it.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you on the premise of the hype surrounding these uber neon bands that have an extremely, and this is generous, stretched melody and mediocre actual lyrics. It's nice to see something a little more defined come through the sparkle clouds. It will be interesting to see when the black lights will start to go out. With sentiment around the globe a little dim, and with the recession lingering, it's a wonder when rock, maybe even a grung puck feel, will start to return to the mainstream.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you on the premise of the hype surrounding these uber neon bands that have an extremely, and this is generous, stretched melody and mediocre actual lyrics. It's nice to see something a little more defined come through the sparkle clouds. It will be interesting to see when the black lights will start to go out. With sentiment around the globe a little dim, and with the recession lingering, it's a wonder when rock, maybe even a grung puck feel, will start to return to the mainstream.

Will said...

I actually came to this site from hypem for the first sentence. I concur about most of the bands that are popular because they are new. I do happen to like XX songs, but what prompted me to comment is the quote in the banner...You, me, bar, beers, buzzed. Wings, shots, drunk! Waitresses - hot! Football, Cornell-Hofstra, slaughter! Then quick nap at my place, then we hit the tizzown.

The R.O.B. said...

Glad to have another office fan aboard...