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Okay, everybody. Give a huge round of applause to the Killers. They tried their hardest, and by golly, they nearly killed dance-punk in one fell swoop. With their debut album, the Killers took a sound, that of dance-punk (a sound that had been gestating in the underground through bands like the Rapture, Hot Hot Heat and Radio Four) and created a crappy, watered-down sound perfect for the teeny-boppers who were just beginning to emerge from their boy band phase. That way, no self-respecting dance-punk band could continue making music without people associating them with the Killers.

Well, the Killers ultimately failed. A few bands, namely LCD Soundsystem, are soldiering on.

With their first album, LCD Soundsystem garnered a lot of hype, and lived up to it. It was simple, it was fun and it was smart. A killer combination, especially for dance music (which often ends up being convoluted, boring and stupid). With Sound of Silver, LCDS has broken beyond the hype and all expectations.

The opening track, "Get Innocuous!" has a strong Kraftwerk and Brian Eno vibe to it, which more or less sets the vibe for the rest of the album. The single "North American Scum," while funny, is easily the weakest track on the disc. The shouty female backup vocals conjure up Le Tigre comparisons, for better or for worse. Lead singer / producer / mastermind James Murphy’s voice sounds great, not grating like some dance-punk vocals can tend to be.

Sound of Silver really kicks into overdrive with the chilling "Someone Great." Like most of the rest of the album, "Someone Great" carries a strong Kraftwerk vibe, but with more of an emphasis on lyrics. The lyrics focus on the passing of, well, someone great. With a beat that could put the Postal Service (uh, the band) to shame, "Someone Great" is bound to make it onto iPod playlists everywhere.

The highlight of the album is the funky jam "Us v Them." More than anything else, "Us v them" is reminiscent of Speaking in Tongues-era Talking Heads. Once again James Murphy utilizes his thorough understanding of dance and minimalist music to make an amazing song. If you find that "Us v Them" does not make you want to dance, then you should probably see a doctor.

The album ends with the remarkably un-dancey "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down." It is a wonderful love song to a city that has done so much for music, but that is apparently dragging James Murphy down. “New York” swaps out the cowbells and disco beats for simple piano that gives way, in the end, to head-banging guitars; a perfect way to end a nearly perfect album.



People who liked this also liked:
Refused - The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Lawrence Arms - Cocktails And DreamsDescendents - Milo Goes To CollegeAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyWeezer - The Blue AlbumWeezer - PinkertonBomb the Music Industry! / O Pioneers!!! - Split [10 inch]The Hives - The Black and White AlbumExplosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss EveryoneTalking Heads - Remain In Light



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    Posted by rocktopus on 2008-06-06 06:16:24
    My Score:

    I love this record. Wouldn't really class it as dance-punk (whatever that is). But if you are into good electro I strongly suggest you check out a band called Digitalism. Their record Idealism is fucking awesome. Go on kids, have a dance.

    Posted by Biped_Casserole on 2008-03-21 14:52:40

    i don't think i've ever heard anything more annoying than this fucker and his bleeps. in all seriousness, he should be crucified.

    Posted by markrowan on 2007-04-15 03:08:03
    My Score:

    great album...i don't know if 'dance-punk' is the right genre for this, but oh well.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 12:34 PM (EDT)

    this cds great,especiall "all my friends", but I'm suprised to see this reviewed,while theres still nothing for the new black lips live disc.

    Posted by Cos on 2007-04-14 03:03:09

    I'm torn. The songs are good but too many just go for too long for no reason. There's no real "Ummph" to this record. The last one had lots of fun, fast crazy songs. This one sounds like a more disco-oriented New Order.

    But I really like New Order. So, I'm torn.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 6:36 PM (EDT)

    Oi! This ain't punk.. whats it doin on ere? Bullocks.. I'm to fuckin punk and drunk and pissed for this shite..

    All my Friends is an excellent song.. nuff said..

    Posted by danperrone on 2007-04-13 13:03:16
    My Score:

    this album is too fucking good

    and "all my friends" is going to be the best track of 2007

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-04-13 11:57:56

    Kool And The Gang > This

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 11:52 AM (EDT)

    give me a break. really, does this need to be posted on this site? nope!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 11:25 AM (EDT)

    all my friends is the best track that james murphy has ever written.
    this album is good.

    Posted by superskabro on 2007-04-13 09:31:33

    I used "Dance-Punk" as a blanket phrase. I could have called LCD's sound "Eno-ish Dicso-Garage Funk", but, it falls under the category (roughly) of Dance-Punk. So, for the sake of the review, I used "Dance-Punk. Bad Religion and Operation Ivy sound nothing alike, but are still punk. The Rapture and LCD Soundsystem sound nothing alike, but are still dance-punk. SHEESH!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 9:20 AM (EDT)

    terrible, and dance punk?, get real.-oldpunker-

    Posted by red_eye_inc on 2007-04-13 08:17:57

    eurotrashnews.org

    Posted by Ianw on 2007-04-13 01:58:53

    Why do you guys have to make up names for what is just super fun Disco?

    Posted by youwinalemon on 2007-04-13 01:36:09
    My Score:

    As good as you've heard.

    I don't know if I quite buy the dance-punk label this record gets, though. I suppose it fits in a way, but this record just seems so ahead of what most "dance-punk" bands are doing.

    Maybe it's just that they sound nothing like Gang of Four, unlike 90% of the world's dance-punk groups.

    Posted by freesandwich on 2007-04-13 01:23:44

    Should i see them at lollapalooza?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 12:25 AM (EDT)

    ...is the day that superskabro gets called out for being an idiot.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 12:25 AM (EDT)

    The day that dance-punk gets a nine out of ten...

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2007-04-13 00:07:40

    whatever you say...superskabro

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 12:05 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    eww. craptastic dance shit.

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