Fight Like Apes
Here we are on Day 4 Ahead of the Curve. Today is the day that some of my favorite new discoveries, Titus Andronicus and Fight Like Apes, are featured so it’s all pretty exciting.
Unfortunately there is one artist I am really on the fence about and that’s Francis and the Lights. Something about this song brings to mind a touch of UB40 and who doesn’t enjoy that? But the lead singer… oh the lead singer. Tone it down big guy. He’s a tad painful to watch. His movements are really over-dramatized and maybe that is his natural movement with the music but… I’m hesitant to believe.
But Titus Andronicus? Love them. The sheer force of their energy is truly amazing. Is it possible for Patrick Stickles to cram more syllables in between notes? And his beard is glorious. What’s interesting is that when I first heard this group, my reaction was, “that’s a little grating on the eardrums.” But you start listening and you realize they are able to capture this very raw anger and emotion that’s simply… captivating. Also, in grad school I wrote my Shakespeare final on Titus Andronicus which is really here nor there I just felt like mentioning it. This is the first Ahead of the Curve video we’ve really seen that’s been shot from a distance and I am so ecstatic about that I don’t even know what to say. To really understand how this band functions, you need to see how INTO IT all of them are and that’s been captured here.
If Titus Andronicus is the antithesis of energy, then The Soft Pack represents the opposite extreme of the music spectrum. Matt Lamkin delivers his lyrics in such a straight-forward manner that he looks bored half the time. That’s not necessarily a criticism either. As much as I enjoy when artists have a forceful stage presence, I can also appreciate a laid back demeanor - that cool rockstar vibe. However, I think the real star of this group is bassist Dave Lantzman. He delivers such great intricate lines.
I really enjoy Ladyhawke, it’s hard not to be enchanted with her video for “Paris is Burning,” and I was exceptionally charmed by her work on Ahead of the Curve because she actually has a guitar in her hand. That’s not something we often see in any of her videos so it’s easy to forget she plays literally EVERY instrument on her album. Also, her voice on “Love Don’t Live Here” is very sweet and effective, both gut-wrenching and oddly comforting at the same time. I like how the set is done up in blue tones to reflect the over-all feeling of melancholy as well.
The shining star of this bunch though, has to be Fight Like Apes. For one, this is the hands-down BEST Ahead of the Curve video I’ve seen thus far. Maykay staring into the camera unabashedly delivering her lyrics, looking you straight in the eye?! Crap. I love this girl. And the lyrics are so fun and playful while her voice has such a rocker edge to it, the synth in the back adds the perfect touch of whimsy… I have just completely fallen for this group hook, line and sinker.
Tune in tomorrow for the final wrap-up on Ahead of the Curve week. Follow me on Twitter for more updates about new artists and what’s going on here at mtvU.
