Not sure what to think about these groups that make such a splash with their EPs only to come out with a full length 2 years later (i.e. Tokyo Police Club… and we all know how that turned out), but these guys sound fucking awesome. Without trying to sound too much like a paid journalist for Rolling Stone, I’ll try and explain it: with a great pop sound, an incredibly talented (albeit two toned) singer, and lyrics that not only make sense, but actually compel you to listen the Harlem Shakes have something so much more to offer than most bands of their type (by that I mean, a band from Brooklyn). Normally, we’d want to stay away from what’s “hot shit” in Brooklyn right now (or at least feel a bit apprehensive) because, in the real world of T-Pain and Britney Spears, it’s hard to consider them as such. But if there were a world where good music were commendable, then these guys would be somewhere near it’s heart and an equivalent to the like.
What they say:
“Unlike so many up-and-coming New York bands, the Shakes avoid lingering in one narrow-minded framework. The harmonies may lend themselves to some throwback Spector-era comparisons, and some of the grander choruses may resemble a primordial New Pornographers or Walkmen, but thanksto a frenetic clip of hooks, you can’t simply pigeonhole Burning Birthdays.” — Pitchfork EP review (7.3)
“…From Big Stary western, through a touch of swing, across rockabilly into R&B and storming out in rock mode, as ethereal harmonies sing out above. So nuanced are the genre changes, they’re virtually imperceptible, leaving listeners to ponder just how the sound got where it is. There’s lots of garage bands out there, but few that so perfectly capture the sound of the time, whilst simultaneously pulling the rug out from the age of innocence with their all too cynical lyrics. Brilliant.” —All Music Guide (4 and a half stars)
“This Brooklyn band debuts with a remarkably well-crafted EP of expansive garage-pop combining ultra-catchy melodies with soaring harmonies. Their bright, effervescent sound incorporates some vintage pop-rock influences (doo wop, Phil Spector and ’60s girl groups) while also fitting in with New York contemporaries like the Strokes and the Walkmen.” – Don Yates , KEXP
“Every band from New York thinks it’s the Next Big Thing, but these guys might actually pull it off. Catchy garage rock, great harmonies and you can dance to it, too.”—The Washington Post
“Harlem Shakes are one of the hottest bands in Brooklyn right now. They apply a rough-and-ready New York aesthetic — deliciously sloppy guitars, speeding drum and bass lines — to the soaring sounds of the golden age of ’50s rock.” —Playboy
“With a garage-rock shimmy and power-pop twinkle, these New York kids craft a sweet cacophony…”—SPIN
“Burning Birthdays continues like a game of hide and seek in which the Harlem Shakes jump and shiver within a decadent soundscape of psychedelic pop rock.” —Nylon
“… solid five-track EP scrambles sweet melodies with an overwhelming swirl of zany ’60s-style details. Psychedelic organ and pounded-out piano are prevalent everywhere, with plenty of unexpected sounds woven in. Accordion swells add warmth to “Felt Wings,” and space-age synth work rings above the panic anthem “Sickos.” Throughout the disc, cooing background vocals bring calming consistency to songs played with maniacal conviction.” —Time Out NY, Critics pick, 4 star review
[You will notice that all of these people have used an extraordinary amount of past genres to define what the band is (with the exception of “guess who”). Have you ever read an article, expecting to hear an album that the journalist has described by his use of genre specific description and been disappointed. If not, what are you reading?”]
Harlem Shakes will be on tour here:
Feb 27 2009 Swarthmore College w/ Tokyo Police Club Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Feb 28 2009 Mr Smalls w/ Tokyo Police Club Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mar 1 2009 Grog Shop w/ Tokyo Police Club Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 2 2009 Basement w/ Tokyo Police Club Columbus, Ohio
Mar 3 2009 Mad Hatter w/ Tokyo Police Club Covington, Kentucky
Mar 5 2009 Earl w/ Tokyo Police Club Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 6 2009 Downunder w/ Tokyo Police Club Talahassee, Florida
Mar 7 2009 The Social w/ Tokyo Police Club Orlando, Florida
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