Haim - Days Are Gone
Release Date: September 27
Label: Polydor Records
Rating: 10 out of 10
A band of three SoCal sisters, once called 'Rockinhaim', with their father on drums and mother on guitar. WT actual F?? Their sound is one part Michael Jackson, one part Shaniah Twain and one part Joni Mitchell. None of this sounding appealing? I know. And yet it is one of the most refreshing, uplifting and truly undeniable debuts I have heard in maybe two years. It is entirely beach party circa 1988. It is Bruce Springsteen on his down time, forgetting to be cool. It is what the Strokes wish they sounded like right now. In fact Danielle Lewis was asked by Julian Casablancas himself to play on his solo tour.
Most of the best albums in the world evoke a sense of something. It is the subtlety and indescribable quality that marks genuine art. On "Thriller' Michael Jackson, inspired by Grindhouse horror of the 1960s, melded that universe with his own R & B one and brought something magnificent, dark and cool to life. Complete with hip hop dancing zombies. First.
Prince provided a soundtrack to every teenage couple making out on the backseat of their boyfriend's station wagon. How many quarterbacks were conceived to Purple Rain?
The Kinks brought us the sound of Carnaby Street in 1967, so that even when you listen to it today it's like you were there.
As recently as 2010, Best Coast served us up a plate of Californian sunshine in the form of their debut. Truly great albums make you feel something, lead you somewhere, give you a glimpse of how someone else lives. Haim manage to do just that. More impressively it is a sound of their youth. Growing up in Southern California in the 80s. Listening to the 70s Rolling Stones in '84 as a 12 year old. On vinyl. Seeing your parents dance in their tight jeans and shoulder pads at your auntie's wedding. Kissing for the first time down on the beach at your prom's after party.
There is a maturity and current vibe here, somehow too. It's inexplicable. The biggest departure on the album comes in the form of track 8 'My Song 5'. It's a low grinding, electronic hip-hop track. Would sound quite at home on a Kanye West album. It narrates the breakdown of a relationship due to infidelity. But even when the girls are ruing their bad luck in relationships, they don't let themselves get bogged down in sentiment. Or else that's all there is here is sentiment.
Haim are what everyone is trying clumsily and desperately to sound like. From Jessie Ware, to The Strokes to No Doubt's latest efforts and even fading popsters like Katy Perry. Haim have done it and done it well. It's evocative, entrancing and irresistible. Honest, lighthearted in moments, dark and dangerous in others. It's all here. Easily the best debut of the year. WT actual F.
WVS
Most of the best albums in the world evoke a sense of something. It is the subtlety and indescribable quality that marks genuine art. On "Thriller' Michael Jackson, inspired by Grindhouse horror of the 1960s, melded that universe with his own R & B one and brought something magnificent, dark and cool to life. Complete with hip hop dancing zombies. First.
Prince provided a soundtrack to every teenage couple making out on the backseat of their boyfriend's station wagon. How many quarterbacks were conceived to Purple Rain?
The Kinks brought us the sound of Carnaby Street in 1967, so that even when you listen to it today it's like you were there.
As recently as 2010, Best Coast served us up a plate of Californian sunshine in the form of their debut. Truly great albums make you feel something, lead you somewhere, give you a glimpse of how someone else lives. Haim manage to do just that. More impressively it is a sound of their youth. Growing up in Southern California in the 80s. Listening to the 70s Rolling Stones in '84 as a 12 year old. On vinyl. Seeing your parents dance in their tight jeans and shoulder pads at your auntie's wedding. Kissing for the first time down on the beach at your prom's after party.
There is a maturity and current vibe here, somehow too. It's inexplicable. The biggest departure on the album comes in the form of track 8 'My Song 5'. It's a low grinding, electronic hip-hop track. Would sound quite at home on a Kanye West album. It narrates the breakdown of a relationship due to infidelity. But even when the girls are ruing their bad luck in relationships, they don't let themselves get bogged down in sentiment. Or else that's all there is here is sentiment.
Haim are what everyone is trying clumsily and desperately to sound like. From Jessie Ware, to The Strokes to No Doubt's latest efforts and even fading popsters like Katy Perry. Haim have done it and done it well. It's evocative, entrancing and irresistible. Honest, lighthearted in moments, dark and dangerous in others. It's all here. Easily the best debut of the year. WT actual F.
WVS
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| Hanson grew up to embrace their metrosexuality, as evidenced by the drummer lop gloss. |
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