Some things aren't meant to last. Ice cream, for example, or sunsets. And for the summer of 2006, Under the Influence of Giants' self-titled debut. It's a fun, slightly trashy affair meant for those months in which all you want to do it turn up the fan, turn down the lights, and have a good time. This doesn't mean that it's not a musically sound album, however. UTIOG, who incorporate disco and dance into their slickly produced ock, are ready (and willing) to provide an hour's worth of short-lived entertainment. And It doesn't hurt that the bandmembers are all very proficient on their instruments, either. The drums, fuzzy bass, and guitar create a good, danceable groove, occasional horns add a Peter Gabriel feel, and singer Aaron Bruno's versatile voice moves from a falsetto to a growl to a croon without any apparent strain -- displayed particularly well in "Got Nothing," with its transition from the Jamiroquai-esque harmonies of the chorus to the Modest Mouse-inspired background yells all layered over seamless white-boy funk. And while most of the album -- including "Mama's Room," the song that propelled UTIOG to the MySpace Top Eight charts around the country -- stays in this realm, the band's musicianship is shown clearly in its ability to take on other styles, all while retaining the sleaziness that makes them so great. "Heaven Is Full" and "In the Clouds" are both pretty close to being club anthems, while "Stay Illogical" and "I Love You" move away from the keyboards and focus on warm, poppy melodies and hooks. The only place where Under the Influence of Giants falters is on "Lay Me Down," which, while it isn't bad, sounds far too much like a generic, radio-friendly song that, while it may have a longer shelf life, has none of that great, immediate satisfaction that the rest of the album is able to provide, and that we're all just begging to hear. So enjoy it while it's around, and think fondly of it when it inevitably goes away.
On this past wintry and windy Sunday evening, Under the Influence of Giants brought their inspiring brand of dance-pop sunshine to warm up local Boston bar, Great Scott. A small crowd filled the floor as these four SoCal boys, disguised in winter coats appropriate to the 12 degree weather, hung out next to the bar’s bathroom and waited for their crew to finish setting up the stage. When ready, .
More >
Struggling through the deep winter months? Tired of dealing with snow, rain, and cold? Try going Under the Influence… of Giants, that is. The self-titled debut album from this Southern California band will pick up your spirits and remind you of the warm summer months. At the very least, it’ll get you to dance and generate enough heat to forget the cold for a few minutes!Read the rest of the re
More >
Well, I'm going to post a bit of a long one today... I've been away for a few days, working and slaving and whatnot...To go the long way round: I'm a Borders Rewards Member, which means whenever I spend my hard earned pesos at that venerable store (yes, it's cheese. the holey swiss kind) I get a little bit of "free" money socked away for me to use during the "most wonderful time of the year" (r...
More >
Love, love love love. There's nothing I love more that coming across a record that has me listening obsessively to it. I've been dancing around my living room for most of the afternoon. While it's definitely more of a Saturday night record than a Sunday afternoon one, I can't seem to keep it out of rotation for more than a few minutes. Check out my favorite track:"Mama'a Room":http://www.suckap...
More >
An alphabetical list of great music I found through my fellow Moggers.(cheeseball '70s imitators, which is alright by me)
More >
Love, love love love. There's nothing I love more that coming across a record that has me listening obsessively to it. I've been dancing around my living room for most of the afternoon. While it's definitely more of a Saturday night record than a Sunday afternoon one, I can't seem to keep it out of rotation for more than a few minutes. Check out my favorite track:"Mama'a Room":http://www.suckap...
More >
In an attempt to allow everyone to get to know me, as an individual, a little bit better, I have decided to issue a weekly post that highlights the events of my upcoming week. This, my friends, is the first of many:Monday: Florida Music Festival PreparationMore >
Struggling through the deep winter months? Tired of dealing with snow, rain, and cold? Try going Under the Influence… of Giants, that is. The self-titled debut album from this Southern California band will pick up your spirits and remind you of the warm summer months. At the very least, it’ll get you to dance and generate enough heat to forget the cold for a few minutes!Read the rest of the re
More >
On this past wintry and windy Sunday evening, Under the Influence of Giants brought their inspiring brand of dance-pop sunshine to warm up local Boston bar, Great Scott. A small crowd filled the floor as these four SoCal boys, disguised in winter coats appropriate to the 12 degree weather, hung out next to the bar’s bathroom and waited for their crew to finish setting up the stage. When ready, .
More >
I find myself playing this record again and again and it's forced me to come to terms with the inner conflict I'm sure I would have felt had I grown up in the militant rock-vs.-disco era. Shouting "DISCO SUCKS!!!" into dance clubs a la Freaks and Geeks (do yourself a favor and watch that show. Netflix it or something.) and then sneaking back to my bedroom to listen to a BeeGees record on my g...
More >
Not sure if I should like these guys this much. They're a funky rock group kind of like the scissor sisters, but not quite. Hard to pinpoint, but just take a listen to their first five songs and you'll get hooked. I was feeling kind of odd grooving at my desk listening to songs like "Ah Ha", "Got Nothing", "In the Clouds" and "Mama's Room". They smartly shoved all the good songs up front, so th...
More >
Well, I'm going to post a bit of a long one today... I've been away for a few days, working and slaving and whatnot...To go the long way round: I'm a Borders Rewards Member, which means whenever I spend my hard earned pesos at that venerable store (yes, it's cheese. the holey swiss kind) I get a little bit of "free" money socked away for me to use during the "most wonderful time of the year" (r...
More >
I'm digging this band a friend told me about. I think it's groovey and catchy. at the prompting of ndintenfass, i'll tell you i think i like this song because i'm an indie pop whore and because i love the ol' school (Stevie, Bee Gees, Prince). if you like them for different reasons, i'd love to hear why.listen here:http://www.box.net/public/hi4rrvovrh
More >
I heard this song not too long ago on Indie 103.1, which just a genius station. Anyway! I love it and you should too.
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ah Ha |
|
|
| 2 Got Nothing |
|
|
| 3 In the Clouds |
|
|
| 4 Stay Illogical |
|
|
| 5 Mama's Room |
|
|
| 6 Heaven Is Full |
|
|
| 7 I Love You |
|
|
| 8 Against All Odds |
|
|
| 9 Lay Me Down |
|
|
| 10 Faces |
|
|
| 11 Meaningless Love |
|
|
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Under the Influence of Giants")
