_Black Kids_ are depressingly hip.
The band name is thought provoking (a la Dead Kennedys) rather than outright confrontational (cf. Violent Anal Death).
Their multimedia champions are hipster's bibles Pitchfork and NME.
They’re signed to Arcade Fire’s management. (_Of course_.)
The front man has an afro (don’t worry, he’s not white).
And, to top it all off, the band hails from the cyberpunk capital of the world, Jacksonville, Fla.
Okay, maybe not the last one.
But, still. How can somebody such as myself, a drink-soaked potato-munching Paddy from the bogs of Oireland, whose proudest possession is his own teeth, which I keep in a glass beside the bed, identify with this handsome, talented, well-dressed, bohemian bunch of bastards?
I can’t.
Or…can I?
No, 'course, I bloody well can't.
The hiply-named Wizard of Ahhs is their first EP, which they’ve made available on their MySpace for free. How utterly _now_.
It’s also utterly fantastic. (_Of course._) Even if I can’t, like, totally relate. Here’s my guide to the track listing:
1. _Hit the Heartbreaks_ - A hipster tells a clingy girl that yes, he’ll have sex with her, but he wants her out of the house by morning.
2. _I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You_ – A hipster tells a beautiful woman that he’s much cooler than her boyfriend, so, like, what’s the deal?
3. _Hurricane Jane_ – A hipster can’t get a date on Friday night because his reputation as a notorious cocksman precedes him.
4. _I've Underestimated My Charm (Again)_ –- A hipster blames his huge charisma on a clingly girl’s unrequited love for him.
It shouldn’t work, but it does. Mainly because the hiply-named songwriter Reggie Youngblood coaches his melodramatic tales with deadpan humor, the deftest of deft lyrics, and supercharged singalong choruses.
The back and forth vocals with his sister Ali are utterly beguiling, and the exuberance, if not ecstatic nature of the music, would make _an accountant_ dance.
This time next year they’ll be the biggest band in . . . London.
(_Of course_.)
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I've been listening to them for over a month now and their songs are real good. They're the big buzz here at the CMJ music fest. They remind me of what I wanted to hear from The Go! Team but never got.
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witty as ever flux,
been hearing about these cats, now I can hear them.
thanks
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MOG must be down I was going to tag on another song but it'll have to wait for MOG to pass it's gas.
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Colin: You are one of the coolest kats from Oierland that I have the pleasure of knowing (electronically til I get my bum back there... maybe next year). & yes - teeth are to be prized - my Pap's sat by his bedside as well - handsome devil poppin out his upper bridge - quite a site ;) Some greeneyedgirls love those Oierish good looks ya fair-skinned bastaaaard...
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Oh & I am really digging this track - thanks to ya !
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I've been checking into these guys a bit...Thanks for the song breakdowns...most entertaining they were
Okay, so they're really from Jacksonville (very close to me-btw) but Jacksonville isn't the cyberpunk capital of the world...is what you're saying. Great make up line!
And do you really wear dentures? I only ask because you mentioned it Mr. Cap. ; )
Ecstatic music
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I thought it was pretty decent and would check the ep out. ....off to myspace.
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I think I really dig these guys... need to hear a little more to confirm.
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by the way, you post cracked me up something fierce. nice work
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damn, i really dig them too. I hate when that happens. I was all set to be incredibly underwhelmed.
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@ David -- A month? I've only been listening for 3 weeks. Godammit - out-hipped again!
@ Dzendvokh -- cheers, mate. Hope you like what you hear.
@ Lizzie -- "You are one of the coolest kats from Oierland that I have the pleasure of knowing (electronically)" High praise, indeed! (I think...) Hey, and glad you like the tune, Liz!
@ SD -- The dentures thing is a slight exaggeration, but if I keep munching potatoes at this rate I could actually have my own pair sooner rather than later!
@ mike -- Oh, I've just read that they've taken that down. If you, or anybody else, want me to put the EP on M, pls let me know.
@ Sturgell -- Hey, thanks for stopping by! Yeah, it's really great stuff. If you can't get hold of the EP let me know.
@ MK -- yeah it's a real bummer!
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I've just this minute downloaded another Black Kids song, this time with Ali on vocals. Only listened once so far, but man, is it catchy and refreshing. I got it from the excellent Good Weather... blog, where I was happy to see they agreed with me on the "it shouldn't work but it does" verdict...and also that Mr Youngblood behaved like a total...eh...hipster...on stage at CMJ!
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whoa. I must have been one of the last few to get it. They must JUST taken it down then. Thanks for the offer though.
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No probs, Mike. It's a pretty amazing debut...
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yeah flux please post it - i could download only four of the songs from Myspace last night.
Darned hipsters. They'll probably pull a radiohead next, then show up on the Late Late Show.
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This post is a very funny contrast to this one:
http://mog.com/brendanhalpin/blog_post/119177
(indie rock has forsaken black music influences)
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To fall asleep, hipsters count Colins :)
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Violent Anal Death - oh, you are so VAD, Colin. As for the music, it reminds me of Papas Fritas but ...hipper.
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Flux, your post is so hip that it made me buy the hype. I'm sure pretty soon everyone will be mixing their catchy little tunes... As you've so perfectly captured the Black Kids, it shouldn't work but your writing does it for me.
I'm afraid those kids are a wee bit too hip for my prosthetic articulation.
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Flux, your post is so hip that it made me buy the hype. I'm sure pretty soon everyone will be mixing their catchy little tunes... As you've so perfectly captured the Black Kids, it shouldn't work but your writing does it for me.
I'm afraid those kids are a wee bit too hip for my prosthetic articulation.
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@ Michelle - I've just sent you a Mogmail on this.
@ Darla -- That's a great article. Thanks for the heads-up.
@ Anna -- Baa!
@ Poe -- VAD are, like, so yesterday. The Exploding Tits, now that's where it's at, dude.
@ Micheal -- Thanks for the encouraging words and posting a great clip! In this case, for the mo' at least, we _can_ believe the hype.
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God, I love when all the elements come together - these hipsters are dazzling!
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That’s all very well, GC, but when will all the elements come together for me!!!
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Even though the track is cool, I refuse to dance just to prove you wrong..raspberry. Why can't accountants get any love. ;P
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Aw, man, if I'd known you were an accountant I would've removed it and instead written "the music...would make _Chucky_ dance".
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hahahaha....snort.....nice
;P