Friday, May 22, 2009

International Band Review - "Don't Wait, Animate"


A little while ago, I received a promotional email announcing that Don’t wait, Animate, a band from Britain, was pioneering a new genre, a fusion of Indie and Dubstep known as ‘strumstep’. A whole new genre? What anticipation! But I have to admit, I was thoroughly underwhelmed.

I was provided with two songs, "Screwface" and "Atlas moans". The first was all instrumental, with a strong beat, and combination of three simple repeating melodies. It was pleasant enough, but no ‘spark’ – didn’t do much for me. The second was shorter with sparse music and mumbled, incomprehensible words.

Since I had so little to base my opinions on, I investigated DWA’s myspace to hear what other offerings they had. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised. The recordings are better, with British-accented vocals clearly audible. The music is better, too. “6174” starts with a vibrato-drenched, surfy solo guitar riff and moves on to angular guitar melodies over a punchy, danceable beat and shouted vocals. “Noah Sparks”, my favourite of their current offerings, combines subdued, depressing verses with dancey choruses and a command to dance and enjoy life. Now that’s what I call music. The only disappointments were the formerly mentioned “Screwface” and “Signum”, apparently a cover, which is also more instrumentally based and resembles that electronic dance music those kids are listening to nowadays in a rather unremarkable fashion.

I do have one bone to pick with Don’t Wait, Animate – they did not, in fact, invent a new genre of music. Indie musicians have been influenced by dub and reggae before, in fact, even British ones. The Clash, or the Homosexuals, anyone? I’m not too up on my genres, but I think we maybe call this “post punk” or something like that. The premise of a “new” genre suggests extreme innovation, and while these guys have some good songs, their sound is not unique. They also seem to be at a bit of a crossroads between more lyric driven type rock songs and more instrumentally based dance songs. In my opinion, they should work on more vocal heavy songs – these got me feeling good and wanting to dance, while the instrumental ones made me think of when a person gets drunk or high in their basement and ‘jams’ for a while, then listens to the recording and thinks, “Man, that was way more epic when I was stoned.” DWA leaves me with mixed feelings as of now, but if they focus on what they’re good at, and provide reviewers with their best work rather than their worst, they could become a favourite in the future.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

uh, yeah, not to mention the song 'wait . . animate' by a million billion KILLS! kinda lame, ripping off a song name, then not even writing good music to back it up

Anonymous said...

This is great review. Hear hear!

Anonymous said...

Where can I buy the album??????????

Goldie Davich said...

OMG why are all of you anonymous? Join the fun and use a name. Even if it's just a fake name.

Honestly it's okay not to BUT it's kinda nice to follow someone and their comments. If you are anonymous how are we suppose to get to know your taste and smart as remarks (which we love by the way - please don't stop.)

dharmabeatdown said...

You probably have access to the ip addresses, Goldie, but my sniffer tells me that the last two are a shill...

Goldie Davich said...

Ohhhh right. It's the band and they are scared of self promotion? Even though that is a completely legitimate reason for coming to the blog and leaving comments?

I just wish people understood that no one really takes anonymous comments seriously. I allow them because I don't believe in censorship.

This blog is social. We all get to know what our readers and bloggers are into. It's fun. Plus if you like running your mouth WE AREN'T AFRAID OF THAT.

Unknown said...

hey i'm actually in the band and don't mine showing my identity, are name is because I do animation and its a reference to current situation we're in at the mo.

like put on a brave face in tough times, I've never heard that song but please do link it to me.

I asked the rest of the band if they posted any comments as none of them have a blogger I doubt its them who posted the "anonymous" so please do reveal yourself for all to see.

I guess each to there own if you don't like are music maybe you'll like our videos, are photos are graphics we have so more to offer in creative talents to which we make everything ourselves.

Unknown said...

hey i'm actually in the band and don't mine showing my identity, are name is because I do animation and its a reference to current situation we're in at the mo.

like put on a brave face in tough times, I've never heard that song but please do link it to me.

I asked the rest of the band if they posted any comments as none of them have a blogger I doubt its them who posted the "anonymous" so please do reveal yourself for all to see.

I guess each to there own if you don't like are music maybe you'll like our videos, are photos are graphics we have so more to offer in creative talents to which we make everything ourselves.

dharmabeatdown said...

mind our it's the it's their our our our much