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The Girls

Yes No Yes No Yes No (2008)
Dirtnap Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: OverDefined
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on January 16th 2009

If you want your music played in an Urban Outfitters, buy this record and do exactly as the Girls do. First, get a “the” name that doesn't really describe you (the band is all dudes). Then, get some synths and make sure to use tons of dance beats. Write some slightly catchy, lyrically vague choruses. Then, throw in some lightly distorted jerky guitars, but not too much -- synths are more important. Wait, don’t forget the fake accent (not that I know what accent it’s supposed to be -- maybe something between Devo’s vocal approach and a British twang; pronounce “er” words with “ah,” like, say, “disastah”). Then just to look right in the artwork, use black and white with some pink thrown in. Also, just to be different make sure the members’ eyes are marked out or even better; make sure they’re all wearing shades. Take this formula for each song, don’t stray too far and you might just be the soundtrack to ironic consumerism.

I’m not a hater of music like this, per se, as I liked the first Futureheads and first Liars albums, two bands that helped bring about this wave of too-hip dance bands. However, at least the Futureheads had all those crazy vocal parts and Liars are an artsy band that seem to have something to say (don’t ask me what it is, though). The Girls just sound like stylistic posturing and it does nothing for me.

The only redeeming factor on this is the synth playing. They use some interesting tones that cut through really well and occasionally play something creative. However, they soon ruin it by throwing in the hip-guy vocals and that overused upbeat hi-hat beat.

Even though this was released on normally-solid Dirtnap Records, I would recommend avoiding this record unless you want to feel like you’re shopping all the time.

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NYblowhards (March 29, 2010)

fuckin

funny

review

thegreatestmanalive (January 18, 2009)

woah, so much hate on the reviewer, i don't know what the deal is. I enjoyed the review, not that i'll be checking this out anytime soon

overdefined (January 18, 2009)

Johntx- I write what I hear. This is what I felt about the record. If I missed what I'm supposed to "get" about this record, please tell me what it is. I feel like I listed my complaints adequately and even had a few compliments. I do wish the first paragraph flowed better, though.

The only thing about this record that (to me) doesn't scream trendy hipster dance rock is that it is on Dirtnap, a label I respect. If I'm wrong please inform me why. (Working hard is not an answer - just about anyone with coverage works hard)

As far as asking why do I even write reviews? That's a good question. Love of music. I don't pan many records, but a promised review is a promised review. Two final thoughts:

1. Any publicity is good publicity (this review, in regards to the Girls)
2. Any response that is strong to a review is a good response (your comment in response to my review)

Thanks for reading.

Johntx (January 18, 2009)

The Girls are great. You clearly don't understand where they're coming from, because if you did you wouldn't compare them to the Liars, or ride them off as a trendy, hipster, trash. This is one of the least accurate reviews I've read in a long time. Why do you even bother reviewing records?

garebear27 (January 17, 2009)

didn't ben weasel play with this band?

overdefined (January 17, 2009)

Not my best review. Don't give up on me yet.

TahoeJeff (January 17, 2009)

This album is ok. Not the greatest, but not terrible. on the other hand, the reviewer is a fucking retard.

warmchords (January 16, 2009)

haarsh review. it made me laugh

scorpiondeathlock (January 16, 2009)

this is such an obnoxious band name

NotPatriotic (January 16, 2009)

Woah, definitely not a 1 star album!! This music is average, nothing amazing, but definitely not terrible.