From CD Baby http://cdbaby.com/cd/marseillefigs:
"Marseille Figs are a law unto themselves. They sound like a runaway train, a barrel of horny monkeys, a funeral band, tumbling tumbleweeds and sweet birdsong."
"Produced in Hamburg by Louisiana legend DM Bob and polymath artist and Pogues-founder Jem Finer, and finished in London with Brian O'Shaughnessy (of Screamadelica fame), The Dirty Canon has big booming piledrivers, lost soul singalongs, flophouse ballads, monkey grunts, thunder and lightning.
The Figs began in London in the spring of 1999 as a kind of experiment in ambitious ineptitude and pop form, with the idea of finding a common ground between the ‘amateurism’ of punk, folk and avant-garde music. They played a wide array of odd venues and events, and they spent a long time in the wilderness, writing songs and preaching to the choir.
They have developed a highly idiosyncratic sound, fusing strategies from avant-garde music into old school country, punk, pop, folk and Tin Pan Alley song forms, and emerging with an enormous repertoire of extremely singable songs, boom-booming jump up and down songs and epic, screeching, skronking songs.
Marseille figs are: J. Maizlish, Tom Chant and Dorian McFarland. On The Dirty Canon they play: acoustic guitars, accordions, buzz organ, vocals, handclaps, tenor saxophone, trombone, bass clarinet, flugelhorn, whistle, piano, mouth harp, soprano saxophone, chicken organ, juju guitar, fake tenor guitar, drone, hammond organ, ukelele, monkey mouth, fake trumpet, percussion, electric guitars and chorus vocals. They are joined by London legend John Edwards on double bass.
“The Figs roll. The Figs rock. The Figs take it to the bridge, over the bridge, across the ridge on the other side of the bridge, and onto that ledge on the horizon. You will believe a guitar strumming, sweet talkin’, tub thumping three piece can fly. I wanna be in the Figs.” – Sean O’Hagan"
I couldn't have wrote a better review. These guys rule. Grab a copy of The Dirty Canon and treat yourself. You can pick up three songs for free on their site. It's hard to pick one song to post as the album is so awesome. Grab those three on their site and give a listen if this one doesn't grab you. http://www.marseillefigs.org/
My Trusted MOGs
Cool. That's the front cover of their album. They have a photo I took of the film director Nicholas Ray (Rebel Without a Cause) among the photos on the back cover.
My Trusted MOGs
Wow that's way cool Michael. The whole package looks really nice. This one is so good I feel like buying a hard copy besides the download I got on emusic. It's such a fun album.
My Trusted MOGs
Crazy! If Roy Loney had stayed in the Flamin Groovies, they might have ended up sounding like this!
My Trusted MOGs
I learned about this on Boing Boing, and totally want to hear it. I remember their description was "Tom Waits, Meets Squirrel Nut Zippers, Meets French lounge music" or something to that matter, and I was already sold.
My Trusted MOGs
That's where I saw it. Sold me too. It's really fun from start to finish. The lyrics are really clever too.
Uncle Creepy glad you liked it. It's a pretty odd combo of style coming from a group from London.
My Trusted MOGs
You had me with the album cover which features on of my avatars
My Trusted MOGs
Nice. I hadn't noticed that. There's a bunch of cool pictures on that cover and back cover. I love that they used a "I Go Pogo" for President button as a pic and a Daniel Clowes illustration. Lot's of good ones really. http://www.marseillefigs.org/images/thedirtycanon-front-449.jpg
My Trusted MOGs
heya Sam, found this thru Tyler's more recent posting. jeezwhiz, can't stop listening, it's all kinds of awesome. Sean 'the journalist' O'Hagan tells it like it is. darn, i wanna be in the Figs.
My Trusted MOGs
I think it would be fantastic to see them in a really small intimate venue. They're really quite good. Sean O'Hagan did a really great job with his review. Glad you liked it. I need more Figs now!