Re: Wu Lyf; Are they worth it?

Even though the Prig hates most new music, he goes to a lot of shows. Why? I dunno, self hatred?

Regardless, I saw Wu Lyf on Tuesday at an intimate show in Williamsburg (where else?). Some douche taped it instead of enjoying the show (I'll get to that on my next post). Here was my favorite part:



Should I care about Wu Lyf? Let's suss it out:

They have a pretty solid hipster attitude, which in this case actually works for them (it doesn't work for this broad). They're from Manchester, which the Prig loves, and their name is ridiculous enough to work for me. I can't understand a damn word they say, but at least they aren't these pussies. I got nervous when the keyboard was in the forefront, I must admit, but luckily it was an afterthought as far as the sound went.

The kids have got swag - the drummer drummed savagely, the guitarists actually played their instruments with acumen, the singer got points for stage diving without being weak about it, and they all held the crowd's attention throughout.

The album itself is listenable, more-so after seeing them live. The pronunciation issue will be a limiting factor going forward - they'll never write the perfect pop song - but with a chance to grow I think they could be legit.

Should you care?

Prig says...yes. Go download the album (legally if you'd like), see them live and then maybe buy a t-shirt. When I see it on your Apple branded audio devise, The Prig will approve.

The Happy Mondays

The Band: The Happy Mondays
The Place & Time: Madchester, late-80s to mid-90s
The Sound: While influenced by funk and northern soul, the band actually helped form and popularize the “baggy” rave culture
The Song: Step On



Why Do We Care?
The band helped create a culture that paved the way for a ton of other great bands, including Blur, Oasis, Pulp & Suede. They, in turn, spurred The Libertines, Stereophonics, Super Furry Animals, etc.

I don't know any of those bands.
Ugh. They also influenced The Arctic Monkeys.

Ah! I love the Arctic Monkeys. Why else should I listen to the Mondays?
NME quoted Paul McCartney saying that the Mondays, "reminded [him] of the Beatles in their 'Strawberry Fields' phase. "

They are the most interesting part of one of the most interesting music pseudo documentaries ever 24 Hour Party People, which chronicles the Factory Records story. They were discovered by placing last in a battle of the bands.

The Stone Roses (the best band ever) considered them the best band in Manchester. Ian Brown added, "There's some mental stories going around about them. One story I heard was about the time that they bought a gun from a gun shop sale, took it back to school and sat on the school playing-fields all afternoon playing Russian Roulette with it." They also held the master copies of their upcoming CD for ransom to buy drugs. They are way cooler than that art band you just saw in that loft in Bushwick.

Dude, I Totally Know This Band!
Damon Albarn enlisted Shaun Ryder to play on Gorillaz's "Dare." The Prig saw their Harlem show live - Ryder had his fly down and stared intently at Rosie Wilson's ass the entire song. It was some rock star shit, even though he's mad old.

Dude, I love Gorillaz! Damon Albarn is a genius!
He is a genius, but not because of Gorillaz, ya prat.

The Stone Roses

This is the Prig's first post – lucky you.

Allow me to set the mood for a moment:

• Who is your favorite new band? The last truly great rock / indie rock album came out in June 1997; my soul has been dying slowly ever since
• Why did the art of songwriting suddenly go south? The internet
• Why bother posting on a blog? For the kids. A long time ago, the gift of good music profoundly changed my life; I'm paying it forward
• Don’t you just love the new Cut Copy album? Oh, piss off

There are bands that people listen to their entire lives – these are the bands I bring to you. The music on your Apple branded device will not be there in 3 years. The lack of authenticity in today's music is startling. While you are not spiritually aware enough to recognize this at first listen, your soul knows. I will help you reach enlightenment. And so, for your first lesson:

The Band: The Stone Roses

The Place & Time: Madchester, mid-80s to mid-90s

The Sound: Indie pop, sprinkled with northern soul, Mod and dance music; the band helped form and popularize the “baggy” rave culture

The Band’s Defining Moment: Headlined a concert on Spike Island, May 1990 – dubbed the Woodstock of the baggy scene

The Song: She Bangs the Drums

Why Do We Care?

The band took the music of the Beatles to another level and helped create a culture / sound that paved the way for a ton of other great bands, most notably Blur and Oasis. Without The Stone Roses, they likely would never have existed, nor would their haircuts have been as sweet.

Oh, and their self titled album is probably one of the greatest ever created.

Dude, I Totally Know This Band!

You probably don’t. Oh well, maybe you’ve heard Fool’s Gold on a commercial. Or maybe you loved "Green Street Hooligans" – I Wanna Be Adored was in that. Or you saw Ian Brown in a Harry Potter movie.

Dude, I love the Kooks, these guys have a similar sound!

Oh, piss off.