New York's White Rabbits sprinkle an awful lot of "oohs" and "aahs" onto the debut LP Fort Nightly.
But the six-piece indie act escapes the flak of status-quo pop branding with forays into unstoppable gypsy beats, implications of violence that lurk behind irresistible melodies, smatterings of Afro-pop uplift and an overall knack for writing a frighteningly catchy song.
White Rabbits tap into a surprisingly minimalist (there are six guys in the band!) sound that seamlessly floats from spooky to sprightly, most evidently on "While We Go Dancing." The standout opens with a creepy piano tinker, dogged drums, a menacing bassline and a vocalist conjuring his best trembling Jeff Buckley croon. But all that moodiness gets discarded by the chorus - a bona fide dance-inducer that would raise hell at an early '90s Brit pop party.
These 11 tracks aren't grandiose spiritual messages beckoning reflections on the meaning of life, but are more about busting a proper hook and coaxing listeners to, forgive me, bust a move.
The vibrantly festive "Kid On My Shoulders," peppered with handclaps and pissed-off shouts, winds into a maniacal Man Man singalong in its theatrical finish, an infinite chorus of "We held our tongues throughout it/one day we'll laugh about it."
Relentless beats and harmonies continue on "The Plot," which unravels into the resigned lament "But I'm so whoaaooaoaoaoo," and "Navy Wives" and "I Used To Complain Now I Don't," which channel the Afro-pop so in vogue these days (read: Vampire Weekend) with tropical island tribal beats, ska guitar strums and percussive piano accents.
Fuck a Disney movie. Following White Rabbits can lead to a merry musical wonderland.
March 31, 2008
CD review: White Rabbits -
"Fort Nightly"
New York's White Rabbits sprinkle an awful lot of "oohs" and "aahs" onto the debut LP Fort Nightly.
But the six-piece indie act escapes the flak of status-quo pop branding with forays into unstoppable gypsy beats, implications of violence that lurk behind irresistible melodies, smatterings of Afro-pop uplift and an overall knack for writing a frighteningly catchy song.
White Rabbits tap into a surprisingly minimalist (there are six guys in the band!) sound that seamlessly floats from spooky to sprightly, most evidently on "While We Go Dancing." The standout opens with a creepy piano tinker, dogged drums, a menacing bassline and a vocalist conjuring his best trembling Jeff Buckley croon. But all that moodiness gets discarded by the chorus - a bona fide dance-inducer that would raise hell at an early '90s Brit pop party.
These 11 tracks aren't grandiose spiritual messages beckoning reflections on the meaning of life, but are more about busting a proper hook and coaxing listeners to, forgive me, bust a move.
The vibrantly festive "Kid On My Shoulders," peppered with handclaps and pissed-off shouts, winds into a maniacal Man Man singalong in its theatrical finish, an infinite chorus of "We held our tongues throughout it/one day we'll laugh about it."
Relentless beats and harmonies continue on "The Plot," which unravels into the resigned lament "But I'm so whoaaooaoaoaoo," and "Navy Wives" and "I Used To Complain Now I Don't," which channel the Afro-pop so in vogue these days (read: Vampire Weekend) with tropical island tribal beats, ska guitar strums and percussive piano accents.
Fuck a Disney movie. Following White Rabbits can lead to a merry musical wonderland.
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