Cults - S/T

 
I love music duos. Whether it’s rock, electronic or whatever I love when two awesome musicians come together and create wonderful music. Ever since The White Stripes were fading away in the mid millennium, it seems like I was going to have a void with music duos. Luckily, awesome artists like Justice, She & Him, The Ting Tings, The Kills, MGMT, The XX, The Black Keys, Matt and Kim, and the Cults emerged.

Depending on if you wanted a louder hard rock sound (The Black Keys), electronic (Justice), indie electronic (MGMT), indie pop (She & Him, Ting Tings, The XX and Cults) and/or indie/garage rock (The Kills), there was a music duo to cover your needs. Until now I never consciously realized there has been a resurgence of quality indie music duos. Cults is one of these mysterious bands worth discovering.

Cults is shrouded in mystery, both musically and physically. For the longest time I had no idea who Cults were…literally. It wasn’t until I searched deep in the liner notes and cross referenced with the internet that I discovered there are only two permanent band members in this fantastic, fresh and fun band.

New York duo Cults is the latest music duo that has captured my heart and ears with their infectious indie pop music. The band is comprised of former New York University film students turned musicians Madeline Follin (vocals) and Brian Oblivion (vocals, guitar and percussion). Their throwback 1960s sound instantly blew my mind away with this sensational debut album. I hope more people will soon discover this mesmerizing, mysterious band.

Much like the band Fitz & The Tantrums, Cults rely on a melodic vintage sound that possesses a twist, which makes their music sound both classic, yet fresh. If you enjoy bands like Dum Dum Girls, Drums, EMA, Girls, Yuck, Tennis, Phantogram, and Smith Westerns then Cults is a band up your alley.

Cults electric and invigorating eponymous debut album kicks off with “Abducted,” which describes falling in love as being kidnapped. The heartbreak of someone “stealing your heart and running away” is just one of the many relatable emotions conveyed on this album.  Follin’s addicting, sensual voice is so sweet and innocent that I missed what “Abducted” was all about upon my first few listens. After several more times I heard the message loud and clear, “I knew right then that I'd been abducted/ I knew right then that he would be taking my heart… He tore me apart because I really loved him/ He took my heart away and left me to bleed out, bleed out/ He broke my heart because I really loved him/ He took it all away and left me to bleed out, bleed out.” I love discovering something new with a song I thoroughly enjoyed. You may even say I have been “abducted” by Madeline Follin’s voice.

Their 1960s pop/ girl group sound embraces the wonderful quality of that musical era and at times feels reminiscent of a Phil Spector “Wall of Sound” production. There is something irresistible of combining the innocence of catchy choruses, yet at the same time remain mysterious while describing dark emotions. The dreamy “Go Outside” is the second song featured on the album and is their best known song. The song encourages listeners to do something instead of just laying around all day inside and actually “go outside” to enjoy life. It’s the perfect song to motivate yourself and remains one of my favorite tracks to listen to while working out.

The moment “You Know What I Mean” came on I honestly thought my iTunes was messing with me because the 1960s girl group aspect sounded too realistic. After double checking my iTunes library a few times I was relieved to find out it wasn’t on shuffle and I didn’t randomly download The Shirelles, The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Supremes, or The Shangri-Las. Follin’s youthful voice perfectly captures that 1960s element efficiently, energetically and most importantly, effectively. “You Know What I Mean” is a song you can lose yourself in.

The deep, dark “Most Wanted” utilizes Follin’s unique and childlike voice. When it’s accompanied by a treacherous instrumentation, her voice showcases the drifting feeling we occasionally experience when contemplating doing something we know is wrong. “Back in my home late at night/ All alone, I'm flying/ Flying above all my troubles/ My mind's a gull/ When I am happy my heart starts to slow/ What I most want is bad for me I know” are just some of the stellar lyrics used.

 “Never Heal Myself” is the next track worth mentioning. Follin’s conviction, whether sweet and sincere or a frustrated outburst, is always able to convey mystery with whatever she is singing about. This song is one of my favorites and I really love the ending lyrics, “Yeah I try to heal myself/And turn around cuz someone else/ But I can never be myself so fuck you.”

Powerful beats propel this album to create an exhilarating mixture of emotions. The combination of wonderful melodies with Follin’s flawless voice produces the best damn debut album of 2011. For the past four years, one of my favorite albums of the year also happens to be a debut album. This year is no different. Those artists and albums for the previous four years were Vampire Weekend with Vampire Weekend (2008), The XX with XX (2009), Neon Trees with Habits (2010) and now Cults.

Without a doubt, Cults is an awesome album that entertains you for over 30 minutes and is a must buy. I absolutely adore everything about this 11 track gem. Go discover their wonderful wall of sound and you won’t be disappointed when you join this cult. After all, there is no punch drinking involved.

--Brownstone

Caddy - Electric Hero

Sometimes things are better if you do them yourself.  That is exactly what Norway’s Tomas Dahl appears to believe with his one man power pop band release “Electric Hero.”  

Dahl calls his solo band endeavor “Caddy.”  It is an apt name.  A caddy in golf is one who carries a player's bag and clubs and gives advice.  On this release Dahl carries all the instruments and vocals. He is the “Caddy” and the player.  Before inventing Caddy Dahl was a member of  two noted power pop bands - The Yum Yums and Wonderfools. After listening to “Electric Hero” I could not help but speculate that the album came about because Dahl couldn’t get those bands to play his music exactly how he wanted it to be played.  Caddy is Dahl’s opportunity to “have it his way” and he delivers it with relish.

Although he calls Caddy’s music “Paul Stanley and Bryan Adams writing songs together . . . in Brian Wilson’s house” that is not what I hear.  Rather, my aural palette tells me the sound is Blue Oyster Cult meets Fountains Of Wayne at a party thrown by The Black Keys.  When I realized Dahl wrote all the songs, played all the instruments, produced the album, and sang every note, I was flabbergasted. He is truly a musical army of one.

What you get with “Electric Hero” is an amazing array of catchy lyrics, blazing multi-layers of guitars, blistering drums, perfect harmonies and vocals with true grit.  The melodies are infectious.  From “Hanging On To Nothing” through “Long Way Home”  Dahl takes the listener on an accessible and astonishing power pop journey.  Just when you think the music is  becoming too sugary sweet Dahl changes it up and crush rolls you into submission.

This is not a concept album.  Each of the fourteen tracks stands on its own and each could have easily been released, and been successful, as a single.  These days Norwegian bands are generally known for “black metal” music, but none is found on “Electric Hero.” Instead, you get some of the best power pop of the past decade.  The slogan of Norway may be “Norway, Powered by Nature.” However, after you listen to “Electric Hero,” you might suggest that it be changed to “Norway, Powered by Dahl,  a force of Nature.”

- Old School 

Buy here mp3: Electric Hero