I can keep rhythm with no metronome.

Posted almost 4 years ago

I stumbled upon this song, and this group, a few days ago. I was immediately drawn in by the strings , and thought this would be another nice little twee song by a cutesy indie band. Then the verse started: "I can ride my bike with no handlebars..." ??What the hell is this??? I wondered. I would have clicked out of the website, but something in the delivery stopped me and made me listen.
I'm glad I didn't. A few live YouTube videos later, and I realized that this band is different and definitely something to be looked into. While not only employing a drummer (instead of computerized beats), Flobots also consists of a viola-ist (Is that even a word?), a guitarist, and a trumpeter (is that right too? I'm just making up my own musical terms here, i guess), setting them apart from the majority of genre-bending groups (which were usually crap to begin with).
Flobots are perfect for any supporters of the "Rap is Crap" notion who haven't discovered The Roots or even Rage Against the Machine. With their politics sewn firmly onto their sleeves, Flobots are out to change the world.

"Watch the ridiculously good video for Handlebars on YouTube":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuK2A1ZqoWs
"Myspace":http://www.myspace.com/flobots

Comments (16)

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Madeline Burke says That was way cool and I don't normally seek out this type of music,...I depend on you (younger)Moggers to keep me up to date....The video rocks...thanks.

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Pyro says Nice tunes. The video you are talking about isn't available in my country. Is this the right one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvNvkXD_gs0

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Pyro says Nope, i think that's what you are talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afX6VYn48KE&NR=1 (makes more sense)

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Jules09 says Madeline - no, thank you! I kind of stumbled upon it myself, I'm glad you liked it. Pyro - The song is the same, but the last video was user-created. The video I linked to was posted by their label, Universal, and they had disabled embedding which is why I had to link to the video instead of posting directly. Maybe "this website (link)":http://www.imeem.com/people/WnM3khr/video/JO8kZyYX/flobots_flobotshandlebars_music_video/ will work for you?

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Pyro says Yes, that link worked just fine. I've listened to that song about 15 times since my first reply..It's in my head spinning over and over again..houmm..maybe that's cuz I'm wake for 25 hours. Great video, too.

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Ohm51 says Nice cut, Jules09 ... and yes politically it is sufficiently angry enough to express my underlying and shared rage with the present conditions of the modern age. To quote NRBQ: 'Music for the Mess Age' Good lookin'out. Ohm51

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Ohm51 says Oops, forgot to mention that what sealed the deal for me was that muted horn solo, perfectly unexpected, and also perfectly played, yet entirely apt in this shocker of a song. Ohm51

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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dachmo says Thanks for answering my question, I had recently heard this song in a commercial and I was wondering if the song was for real or not. Funny how the world has was of answering questions that weren't properly asked. Thanks Jules. Good song btw!

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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dachmo says Thanks for answering my question, I had recently heard this song in a commercial and I was wondering if the song was for real or not. Funny how the world has ways of answering questions that weren't properly asked. Thanks Jules. Good song btw!

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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brand X says I had the same reaction you describe in your first paragraph the first time I heard this, except nothing had captured my interest enough to prevent me from mentally tuning out the rest of the song. It is fortunate that I saw your post today, as it is a nice reminder of the consequences of following gut reactions and not paying attention; a much better song than I had initially given it credit for.

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Jules09 says Pyro - Good, I'm glad it worked out. It's going to be a permanent earworm for me too, I think. Ohm - I agree 100% with the horn solo. It's so...random almost, and yet it fits so well! Music for the Mess Age is a great way of putting it, it expresses my inner political frustration quite nicely too : ) Dachmo - You're welcome, and just out of curiosity, what commercial was it on? I know it's becoming a radio hit in some areas. X - I'm glad you played it out this time then! A song of this caliber was definitely not what I was expecting either, it just turned out to be a very unexpected and pleasant surprise.

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Augusts1 says This reminds me of a mix of the group Cake & Eminem(an odd pairing for sure). Great song, liking it alot & not heard of them either, thanks!

Permalink posted 06/05/2008
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Cody B says Not cute at all..definitely worth a second or third look. Thanks for the intro.

Permalink posted 06/06/2008
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Jules09 says August - An odd pairing, but an accurate one too! Cody - I've looked at more stuff from them too and liked it, I'm planning on getting the album soon so expect a review sometime in the future.

Permalink posted 06/06/2008
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Rawkkiddoh says
I was watching videos on my in demand station last night an watched this for the first time. I thought the song was incredible as was the video itself.

Permalink posted 06/12/2008
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sommerface says
I loathed this song when I first heard it on The Point. How it's a frigging ear worm. :)

Permalink posted 06/18/2008