BeatCrave Fav: Harlem Shakes
By Lindsey Darden
Harlem Shakes is pop-rock in possibly one of the more subtle variations of the phrase. Their overall music style is nouveau-Paul Simon with a welcome familiarity that contributes to the hard-to-master “do I know you?” factor. Their material is a built-up skeleton with standard parts: mellow intro, tambourine, lyrical pondering, chorused melody, spirited interlude, pinpointed conclusion. However heard before in other variations and genres – whether sampled or showcased - they come without redundancy. Their execution of sound is as informal and compact as much as it is thoughtful and complex.
When it comes down to it, their music seems to capture the writing process in an unassumed melodical diorama - their lyrics and compositions spill out in a way that one can almost visualize a pen leaking ink upon paper. Such fluidity gives Harlem Shakes the potential to reach audiences outside of smaller venues and local airwaves. Fans accustomed to their intimate performances probably won’t let that happen without a fight, but we like a little aggression.
Check out Harlem Shakes below, and if you like their sound as much as we do, vote for them in Friday’s poll!
- Pick of the Day: Harlem Shakes
- Band Members: Lexy Benaim, Brent Katz, Todd Goldstein, Kendrick Strauch, Jose Soegaard
- Label: Gigantic Music
- Discography: Technicolor Health (2009) and Burning Birthdays (2007)
- Videos:
“Sunlight”
“Strictly Game”
“Technicolor Health”
“Nothing But Change Pt. 2″
Upcoming Shows:
- 3/26 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
- 4/11 Washington, DC – DC9 Washington
- 4/16 Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
More Info:
This week’s Favs include:
*** Remember to vote in Friday’s BeatCrave Fav poll for your favorite artist!Photo by Andrew Droz Palermo
Thursday, March 26, 2009 2:23PM
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Monday, March 30, 2009 1:58PM
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