8.18.07
I have to admit I’m kinda surprised that Imperial Teen is still alive and kickin’. I got into them pretty early on, right when they released Seasick and they’ve remained a staple in my Ipod “Walking Music” playlist because of their bouncy pop masterpieces. Turns out that they’re back with a new album on Merge after 5 years or so.
They’re sorta getting on their in years – I mean Roddy and company weren’t exactly young to start with when they started playing as Imperial Teen. Dude, Will used to look (and slightly sound like) this wiry young punk – now he’s aged Lee Ranaldo-like complete with a little wisp of gray hair in the front.
But, then who cares what they look like, right? In their press photos it’s like they’re almost embracing their middle-agedness gleefully. “So pretty” indeedy. And their album, “The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band” has some of the same simple yet strong tunes that made me like them in the first place. “Shim Sham” stands out as one of the hits, and while they’ve definitely found a successful formula to milk again, it ain’t no lazy cow. By the way, the album is available to be streamed at Merge…
Listen:
The Hair the TV the Baby & the Band
Visit:
Imperial Teen website
Oren Lavie
Gregg Yeti And The Best Lights
The Republic Tigers
The Transport Assembly
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:12 am
I was also suprised back in March to hear they were going to put out something new. Most bands usually stink after releasing something new after five years. However, Imperial Teen must never have really broken up. Maybe they were just in the freezer for a few years, because this record sounds so crisp and fresh. It’s like they didn’t miss a beat, and these songs are pretty amazing from 1 to 12. They deserve as wide an audience as New Pornos, Tegan and Sara, Spoon and other big indie acts. That may never happen, but whoever comes across these guys will know they found a real cool special band.