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Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular
order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time
(as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some
personal favourites within the British...MORE>>
The Drums already have a sold-out tour UK tour (with 3 additional shows in Europe
also sold out) to their name, alongside glowing reviews. With NME and Rolling Stone
getting very excited the band is clearly something that should be watched closely
in the future for big things, but - the most important thing to ask, and before we
get ahead of ourselves - do the tunes live up to the hype?
Originally, "The Drums" had me expecting a band with something in common with the
ever popular indie-pop sound from the last decade. This, coupled with "Post-punk"
as their genre description, I feared the worst. However Let's Go Surfing has all
it can going for it, and it sounds ever so sweet, possibly even more.
The high, upbeat bass line (similar to what Peter Hook did in Joy Division) kicks
everything off with the standard Post-punk drumbeat and an unusual whistle melody,
which comes out of nowhere, fitting in surprisingly well. However, The Drums then
take a different approach with the lyrics and vocals on this track. The post-punk
scene usually brings to mind the dark, poetic tones of Ian Curtis' lyrics (for example
"Your confusion, my illusion, worn like a mask of self-hate, confronts and then dies")
so to begin Let's Go Surfing with the simple "wake up, it's a beautiful morning"
it seems the influences aren't as important when it comes to the words as they are
in the musical aspects. In fact various parts seem amazingly similar to the Beach
Boys, although maybe it's just the surfing element playing tricks with my mind, who
knows. A song for indie fans, pop fans, post-punk fans, and those who want to live
the glory days of the 70's underground scene, Let's Go Surfing doesn't have a care
in the world (highlighted by "I wanna go surfing/...I don't care about nothing")
it's just a fun tune out to please anyone.
So, all in all, that's it settled then, The Drums do have the skills to prove the
growing hype, and you'll have a great time listening to them. Jonathan, Jacob, Adam,
and Connor can be proud of their fresh take on the Post-punk sound by adding hints
of pop that means New York finally has a band that can defeat the bandwagon that's
been following The Strokes for too long (we all know they only really had one great
album in them). However, whether they do so or not, only time will tell.
