All the young dudes

When the Fratellis‘ album Costello Music came out overseas a few months back, Mojo said something that I found really interesting. I don’t have the issue anymore, but the reviewer said something that really stuck in my head. He (or she) said that young bands like the Fratellis are great because they do things musically that most people would say you can’t. They don’t know that it’s not right to mix rock, punk, David Bowie-styled vocals, ska, and Kinks-style pop in one album. It works because it’s not forced.

Hell, when I was younger, I made mix tapes that scare me now. There’s no rhyme or reason or theme to connect any of the songs… it’s just this jumble of everything I liked. This is the reason that I also look back on my early college radio shifts with a mix of amusement and shame.

The young bands from the UK, like the Fratellis, the Zutons, and Arctic Monkeys have this Andy Hardy sort of thing going on. You know – “My dad’s got some lights!” “Well, we can use my barn!” “I can play the piano a little… hey, let’s put on a show!” It’s the enthusiasm and everything but the kitchen sink philosophy of making music that’s just exuberant. The energy comes through so clearly in the music, you can’t help but dance around like Morrissey in the throes of an epileptic seizure.

The fact that the Fratellis have their song “Flathead” featured in the newest set of iPod ads is a testament to the band’s quality. They’ve gotten all sorts of cool props in spite of the song not having actually made its way to radio yet. I’ve been listening to Costello Music for two months now, and even with the aggresive number of Apple ads, “Flathead” has yet to lose its appeal.

The Zutons, with their mix of rock, skiffle, indie, and ska are along the same lines, as are the Arctic Monkeys when they mix dance-rock and punk. Neither group is lacking in novelty… seriously. I mean, really – skiffle?! The only man to ever make his star out that was Lonnie Donegan, and that was nearly thirty years ago.

Of course, the novelty only lasted until they put out their second albums.

the Fratellis – “Flathead
Arctic Monkeys – “I Bet You Look Good On the Dance Floor
the Zutons – “Valerie

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