The Like

I saw The Like a couple of years ago and I was not impressed. I think that for the most part Mark Ronson has produced their new record and for the record I think he's actually very overrated, and a bit of a follower rather than a creator. And maybe the commenter on this Refinery 29 article is right and these gals are poseurs who just have good stylists. I have no real issue with them being famous progeny, and them being well-heeled and well-to-do (Joe Strummer was an ambassador's kid, ya know), but the whole LA retro scenester thing I find much more damning. So I am loathe to recommend this, but... look at them. I'm a sucker. I know this. Bangs, false eyelashes, mary janes and Mary Quant and I'm smitten. But I do have standards and it takes more than that to convince me to recommend them here.

The thing is, the new single... it's great. It puts the Pipettes to shame, and really has to make Duffy and Kate Nash cry. It's got much more shimmy and shake and really takes out the twee that seems to ruin most of the music that reaches for this era. The thing about girl groups is the fact that they were inherently pushing the envelope by simply being on stage. There's inherent danger in them, at least in the best ones. More like the Shangri-las or even Tuscadero, The Like know how to make you think that the quiet ones are perhaps the wildest ones. Maybe it is too overproduced and too professional, as compared to folks like Dum Dum Girls and The Splinters, but when I listen to those bands I keep thinking that they are confusing "lack of singing/playing ability" for "lo-fi." The Like sound like they aren't just trying to be better, they just are.

Get some free music from The Like at RCRDLBL.com: http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/The_Like/music

And barring all of the stuff in my first paragraph, when it comes down to it, great rock and roll both sounds AND looks good. And right now, The Like look and sound good to me.

The Like - He's Not A Boy from Downtown Music on Vimeo.

Get free music from The Like at RCRDLBL.com

The Noisettes

I am torn about the new Noisettes single/video. When I saw them a few years ago, one of the things that excited me about them, was their punk edge. They were a bit noisy and in-your-face, and really demanded attention. With this new single, the sound has totally changed.

I don't want to be the kind of fan who requires that a band stand in place and rehash the same sound over and over again. But I do fear that this new direction is calculated, and maybe even "suggested," more than organic. In the post Winehouse/Duffy/Adele world, this might have been the big reach for the brass ring.

Luckily, the song is pretty good, and it's definitely catchy. So, it's not a total loss. But I reserve the right to give it a jaundiced eye. See what you think...

Adele

Instead of making you wait forever for the next post, I think I should also tag other pieces I write around the web, and re-purpose them here for our enjoyment. Let's start with my review of Adele's, 19. If I had to give a on2ten, I'd say it's a "at first glance" 6, with a longer term 8.

Adele- Chasing Pavements
Adele- Tired

And grab that Strokes cover mp3 for Last Night on the Tripwire page, it's good.

For even more about her check her site.

Duffy

So when it rains, it pours. Amy Winehouse found a way to hit it big in the US, so now of course all the labels are going to strike it rich again in th aftermath. Plus, I'm sure many folks are trying to find a new one once the old one wears out, and that looks like it may happen any day now.

Duffy is that second chance. And no slight to her, as she does have a great voice and her own schtick as well. Think more Dusty Springfield than Motown. And she has this video:



I love it. Mainly because I am enamored with the idea of the Wigan Casino (youtube that and see what I mean) and all in all the song is well written and fun. Good song (a strong 7) and a fun British rock history checking video (a f'n 9.5) and for now, Duffy you have my attention.

Duffy- Mercy