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Product Description
Review
It isn't difficult to fathom how The Drums became the most name-droppable of new bands. New York acts have always travelled well, often making it big in Britain before doing likewise back home, but this savvy quartet also have exquisite timing. As the world self-flagellated over its financial woes last year they released an EP whose standout track featured the memorable refrain, "Oh momma, I wanna go surfing / oh momma, I don't care about nothing". Well, even a one-legged recluse could relate to that.
Let's Go Surfing–written on the day of Obama's inauguration, hence the optimism–makes a welcome return on their eponymous debut LP, and while the rest of the record isn't quite so extravagantly escapist, it's still a welcome espresso-rush of hooks and harmonies, with a healthy dose of lyrical darkness thrown in to ease the digestion.
Follow-up single Best Friend kicks us off, a sort of tragic human take on the story of Greyfriars Bobby (loyal mutt awaits return of dead master, spawns range of attractive commemorative mugs), with frontman Jonathan Pierce in sub-prime Morrissey mode, moping around on the bonnet of his late friend's car. Manchester's influence provides much of the ominous grey that clouds these songs' sunny skies, in fact. Book of Stories and It Will All End in Tears both sport uplifting Phil Spector-like walls of sound, but also trebly Peter Hook basslines and choruses that are actually, on second listen, slightly heartbreaking.
But only slightly. The outlook here is more Love Theme from The Breakfast Club than Love Will Tear Us Apart, and like the finest John Hughes movies, all words are awash with teenage hormones and thus shouldn't be taken too seriously. The Drums are no longer teens, admittedly, but their record skilfully conjures a time long before credit crunches, when the most important thing in the world was your current squeeze.
"You've got to believe me when I say, when I say the word forever," croons Pierce, in the doo-woppy Down by the Water. "And whatever comes your way, we'll still be here together." Of course, they probably won't be. But it's nice to dream, just for a while. --Si Hawkins
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Product Description
Debut 2010 album! Whistling surf-pop 'n' spiky post-punk from the New York buzz-band. Includes "Let's Go Surfing" ; "Best Friend" and "Forever and Ever, Amen".
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
My expectations of this album were admittedly very high after the excellent `Summertime!' EP from last year which at seven tracks was a mini-album in itself.
I thought more tracks from `Summertime!' would be included on this record but only two have made the cut (the excellent `Lets Go Surfing' and `Down By The Water'). How `I Felt Stupid' and `Submarine' didn't make it is a mystery of Lord Lucan proportions but all too often nowadays you've heard half the songs on a band's debut before it comes out so I guess The Drums should be applauded for that. It's just a shame anyone who didn't buy `Summertime!" won't get to hear those songs cos they are both belters.
I have to admit the new tracks (`Me and the Moon', `Skippin Town', `It Will All End In Tears') didn't grab me at first but have rewarded repeated listens now the hooks have revealed themselves. There are more immediate tracks like `Forever and Ever Amen' and `We Tried' but as other reviews have mentioned there is not a huge amount of variety and I do think the quality tails off with the last two tracks. Perhaps that's where `I Felt Stupid' and `Submarine' would have slotted in nicely or any of the remaining tracks on `Summertime!'.
I want to give this record 3.5 stars but Amazon won't let me so it's going to get 3 stars - a solid debut and if you like this band definitely get the `Summertime!' EP - that gets 5 stars !
I thought more tracks from `Summertime!' would be included on this record but only two have made the cut (the excellent `Lets Go Surfing' and `Down By The Water'). How `I Felt Stupid' and `Submarine' didn't make it is a mystery of Lord Lucan proportions but all too often nowadays you've heard half the songs on a band's debut before it comes out so I guess The Drums should be applauded for that. It's just a shame anyone who didn't buy `Summertime!" won't get to hear those songs cos they are both belters.
I have to admit the new tracks (`Me and the Moon', `Skippin Town', `It Will All End In Tears') didn't grab me at first but have rewarded repeated listens now the hooks have revealed themselves. There are more immediate tracks like `Forever and Ever Amen' and `We Tried' but as other reviews have mentioned there is not a huge amount of variety and I do think the quality tails off with the last two tracks. Perhaps that's where `I Felt Stupid' and `Submarine' would have slotted in nicely or any of the remaining tracks on `Summertime!'.
I want to give this record 3.5 stars but Amazon won't let me so it's going to get 3 stars - a solid debut and if you like this band definitely get the `Summertime!' EP - that gets 5 stars !
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I actually think this album is more solidly entertaining than their earlier EP, which seems to be contrary to many opinions expressed here. Nice jingly tunes that are very reminiscent of the old C86 era. It doesn't push back any musical boundaries but it certainly provides a nice soundtrack whilst your frying bacon and eggs on a Sunday morning.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Totally Excellent
I really haven't heard an album that made me want to listen to it repeatedly for hours and days on end. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Charlotte
THE DRUMS? Never heard of them...
Bought as a bargain elsewhere and now a staple on my MP3 player.
I would'nt say as good as The Cure and music of that era and style but it gives a really big nod in that... Read more
I would'nt say as good as The Cure and music of that era and style but it gives a really big nod in that... Read more
Published 7 months ago by chris russell-dudley
Addictive Listening
Listen to this album three times and it will stick in your mind for weeks.
A small piece of pop genius.
A small piece of pop genius.
Published 13 months ago by Mazbar
solid as a rock
not something i would normally buy but im glad i did great tunes melodically great sounds good brian wilson inspired them me thinks
Published 13 months ago by P. M. Kielty
Love The Drums!
Never heard of these guys until i heard a track on the radio. So checked out their music on-line and bought this album. Love it.
Published 16 months ago by Andy Bennett
Lets go surfing (Over and over and over again)
I picked up this album based on the strength of the single 'Let's Go Surfing'. On listening to the album through, i was astounded by how most of the songs seem to sound exactly the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by D. J. Simons
Disappointing
Heard a track of theirs whilst attending a colleague's leaving do. I do not usually like Indie music, but it sounded interesting and fresh. Read more
Published 18 months ago by J. Leach
Great album
This is an excellent album if you like eighties based guitar music with heavy bass
Published 19 months ago by A. Newstead
Good, But not great
I bought this album on the strength of 'Lets go surfing' as it is a fantastic track and I had high hopes that the rest of the album may hold some other jems. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Wooderson
Don't believe the hype...
Given all the hype and the soooo positive critics, I was underwhelmed by the album. The tunes are ok but not memorable and the overall production leaves much to be desired. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Andre Joron
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