Blips: Four Under The Radar Bands

Passion Pit

[Photo by Elizabeth Weinberg]

Website (none) / MySpace

Given that the New York City music industry dorkfest, CMJ, is already well underway this week, it seems only fitting to select a buzzy act for this week’s Blips. What I have heard so far from Passion Pit is undeniably over-stimulating, but in the most complementary of ways. Throughout the first few listens, I seriously contemplated if this band was too gay for words, and about 45 listens (in a row) later, I still couldn’t decide… but nor could I stop listening.

This Cambridge, Massachusetts-based band (calm down, they went to Emerson College) churns out a catchy laptop-gone-full-band techno-pop sound that’s intricate and smart. In particular, the aptly-named highlight track, Sleepyhead, is reminiscent of one of those random nights when you’re around age 20 on vacation somewhere in Europe that wraps up around 7AM, where you find yourself listening to mostly horrible house music all night, but there is that one addictive song that pulsates through your head for months thereafter, ultimately emerging as the theme song for the trip. In other words, it’s fun. While I would not be surprised to see Passion Pit to emerge as the next polarizing love ‘em or hate ‘em blog band, for now, consider me in camp former.

By the way, if you are interested in a sample of the CMJ bands, eMusic.com has a free sampler and Sleepyhead is the first track.

Ryan Dembinsky

The Watson Twins

Website / MySpace

Chandra and Leigh Watson may be known best for providing gorgeous backing vocals on Jenny Lewis’ superb debut Rabbit Fur Coat, but the identical twin sisters also record and perform on their own simply as The Watson Twins. With their slightly haunting harmonies, the pair produces a sound that at times is reminiscent of a rootsy version of the 10,000 Maniacs. In 2006 the duo self-released their debut EP – Southern Manners – but it got a bit lost in the shuffle because of their association and touring commitments with Ms. Lewis. This past June though saw the release of the debut length Fire Songs which is filled with their fantastic brand folkie-Southern Gothic tinged torch songs that are steeped in gospel, blues and Americana. The Watson Twins are currently providing support duty for Billy Bragg on his brief U.S. jaunt, so be sure to head in early for their set.

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Jeffrey Greenblatt

Dead Stick Landing

YouTube / MySpace

Did you ever wish ’90s bands such as Soundgarden, STP and Faith No More jammed out and had more proggy elements in their music? If so, you should check out the Georgia-based trio Dead Stick Landing. The band just put out their debut album, which was skillfully remixed and mastered by Tom Lewis (R.E.M., Gov’t Mule, Sonic Youth). This eponoymous release contains 49 minutes of intense rockers that are equal part Panic, Rush and Tool. That’s quite a combination, but these guys pull if off really well. The trio returns to the stage on October 30 at The Roadhouse Bar in Athens, GA. In the meantime, check out this video of 00711 and Loop recorded at Tasty World.

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Scott Bernstein

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