Good Stuff released 9th August 2010
The Drums – “Lets Go Surfing”
The more I get involved with The Drums, the more I like them. They are subtle in their intrigue and abilities, presenting a softly humoured and careless approach to the world. This particular track is just the perfect thing for this time of year; gently upbeat, fun, and most obviously, perhaps, about the ultimate summer pastime – surfing! Originally released last year on the group’s first EP Summertime!, The Drums fuse a post-punk mixture of influences such as Joy Division and The Smiths, but with a modern, nonchalant twist that could only originate in New York. And the track has whistling in it – I mean, what’s not to love?!
Bad Stuff released 9th August 2010
Metric – “Eclipse (All Yours)”
Metric are a bit of an odd band. They seem to have very little character to speak of, falling into the dull and over utilized category of an American, female fronted pop band with soft rock tendencies. They have no edge or intrigue to speak of of any kind, which perhaps explains why they have lent themselves so wholeheartedly to the Twilight franchise, as it gives them a more determined angle and demographic. Unfortunately that demographic is the sombre, fatalistic teenage girl, a type not well know for their discerning taste or emotional integrity. This track is pure indulgence for that type of girl. There is a lot of head-down vague ambling in the video, general emo references such as dark forests and too much eyeliner, and of course lovely Twilight clips interspersed throughout. Musically, this vibe continues, with thin, constricted vocals that are just weeping weak female emotivity, accompanied with typical “rock” instruments placed incredibly low in the mix. The focus here is on the female, but unfortunately it specifically aimed at female vulnerability, whether that is realised sonically, visually or narratively. In this way it really is rather regressive, pin-pointing the vulnerable group that is teenage girls (and women with adolescent tendencies) instead of empowered women that aren’t that into moping about. You have to give it to Metric though, they have fitted their track for Twilight well, too well, in fact, for most of us to enjoy or tolerate.
