A little over a year ago, I posted on a tiny band from Ireland called The Chalets. A recent conversation made me realize that not only had I not heard from these amazing kids in a couple months, but I had never actually heard all the songs off their album! I regret that now more than anything I’ve ever done (or not done, in this case).

MP3: The Chalets – Feel The Machine
As Chalets legend has it, the key part of their formation was when two of the members stayed out all night in a bar singing with lampshades on their heads. True or not, that story gives you a great idea where they’re coming from with “Feel the Machine.” It’s a hip-shakingly great track that’s simultaniously a retro take on new wave, and a great straight-forward rock song. Lay those two over top of one another, combine with sexy sweet female vocals and you’ve got your Chalets recepie right there.

MP3: The Chalets – Two Chord Song
I think it’s kind of a joke that every high school band writes some variation on the theme of “how few chords can we use in this song” and usually puts the winner number in the title (note: I think Tenacious D win with “One Note Song”). The Chalets are no different there. But where they set themselves apart is that their two chord song is good enough to stand up to most major band’s five and six chord songs. “Two Chord Song” is a cute peak behind the hip mask of the band into their take on hotel goings on and news interviews. Again, whether its true or not remains to be decided. But for now I’m content to sit back and enjoy a catchy (two chord) song.

The Chalets on Myspace

I don’t feel comfortable ending this post without directing you to the video for “Feel The Machine”. It’s one of my favorite videos in recent memory.