So the guys over at the Secret Unicorns Forum are always raving about Pants Yell!, but due to my self-imposed restriction on illegal downloading, I’d never really gotten to listen to them. Thankfully one of my friends was able to send me a highlight or two, and now I too am convinved of their superiority.
Twee, cute, pop; these are all words that people will no doubt throw around when discussing Pants Yell! Strangely enough, each describes a part of the band, but is drastically lacking overall. Yes, they’re pretty cutesy and you’ll probably get a smile on your face in the first ten seconds of ‘The Not So City Life;’ but unlike your typlical twee fair, there’s depth present as well.
MP3: Pants Yell! - The City Life
Most of the bands I have the pleasure to write about on YANP seem content to use a G-C-D chord progression to deliver their message. Pants Yell! are not most bands. “The City Life” reminds me of a Shins song, but with the Lucksmiths singing it. It’s one of their most powerful (that I’ve heard anyways), but it still manages to be soft and amiable.
MP3: Pants Yell! - The Not So City Life
Handclaps and acoustic guitars are like food and water for twee bands, but most find some way to foul it up or make them just plain boring. Fortunately for us, Pants Yell! are able to combine them with some delightful lyrics and form a delicious little pop song. The only bad thing I can say about it? It’s too darn short. 1:55 is such a tease, guys! Hehe.
Oh, Pants Yell! are going to be playing with Islands in Cambridge, MA. More info here.
Let it also be noted that Pants Yell! are part of the Asaurus Records family which includes other YANP-favorite, Elliott the Letter Ostrich. You should hit up their store and snag some goodies. I suggest: PANTS YELL! ‘83 in ‘03, ELLIOT THE LETTER OSTRICH - Blood Cape, and their 3-disk compliation You Already Have Too Many CDRs, which I’m about to purchase for only $8
Bonus MP3: Pants Yell! - My Boyfriend Writes Plays
Bonus MP3: Pants Yell! - Onward, Sailboat
Matt over at Skatterbrain has posted the official video for Wolf Parade’s Shine a Light. It’s so bad that it made me wish I were being devoured by real wolves. (note: he also made a “Best of the Rest” of 2005 list. My favorite category: “Best Year of 2005″ [the winner was 2005])
Matt also pointed me to this CMG list of the ‘Top 12 Songs on OK Computer.’ I disagree with their list, mostly the placement of ‘Electioneering’ and ‘Exit Music’ so low on the list.
