Wednesday 26 May 2010



Forever and ever amen.

It’s still a few weeks away, but I am eagerly anticipating the release of The Drums‘ self-titled debut album.  There’s something about the way they’ve managed to capture the essence of 80s alternative bands like Echo & the Bunnymen and The Smiths and blend it with a kitsch-like sensibility that’s nostalgic without sounding contrived.  It’ll be a year next Monday that I first wrote about the band, right after the debut at last year’s Popfest.  In less than 365 days, the band went from relative obscurity to a record deal with Island Records, rumours of working with producer Mark Ronson (false), and building hype and anticipation the old fashioned way:  playing shows and making live audiences fall in love with them all over the place.

Yesterday RCRD LBL made the Saint Etienne remix their new single “Forever and Ever Amen” the RCRD OF THE DAY.  The original version sounds like it could easily have been written 25 years ago, an anthemic proclamation of verve, vigor and vitality.  “It’s forever/baby, it’s forever,” sings Jonathan Peirce on the chorus, and truer words were never spoken:  The Drums sound timeless.  The Saint Etienne crew give the song slick, disco sheen that doesn’t detract from it at all.  In place of the young angst is confidence and composure that most seasoned bands can only aspire to.

Shit man, I just can’t wait to hear this record.

MP3: The Drums “Forever and Ever Amen (Saint Etienne Remix)”
Video: The Drums “Forever and Ever Amen”
MP3: The Drums “It Will All End In Tears”
Myspace: The Drums
Facebook: The Drums





by J. Di Gioia | Comments Off

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