Record Review: Harlem - Hippies
Written by Russ Crandall   
Thursday, 25 February 2010 03:05
Harlem's Hippies is my first "favorite record" of the year. Harlem is a three-peice garage rock band from Austin, and this is their second album. Its 16 tracks finish in a little over 40 minutes, and it's an exhausting experience. Although the songs are only a minute or two long each, I have a hard time taking in more than half of them at once. As it stands, I've been cutting it up into halves just so I don't go crazy.

The issue is that each song is so potent, so full of energy and vigor, that it's draining. But trust me, this is a good thing. From the outset of track one, "Someday Soon", you know you're onto something big here; this opener has at least six subtle melodies that are hidden inside a back-to-the-basics rock and roll track. The album culminates early, in track six, "Gay Human Bones", which has my favorite chorus of 2010. This is an album created by kids that grew up listening to Nirvana, who then decided to be the next Beatles, without forgetting where they came from.

I'll be the first to admit that there isn't a ton of variety in this album, but that's what I find so engrossing. I love it when a band takes one sound, one style, and fills an album full of intricacies within these parameters. It's how The Strokes' debut clicked so well, and it's the reason why I'll be listening to Hippies all year long.

release date: April 6th, 2010
Comments (0)

Write comment
smaller | bigger

busy
< Prev   Next >
 


Disagree with us? Got an idea? Want to put up your own post with full credit?

Click here to send it to us and we'll post it...as long as it doesn't suck.

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!