I can't believe it's been something like eight years since first The Walkmen jauntily jangled their way into my cold, black heart (remember "We've Been Had?"). In truth, they could put out a crappy record and I'd still love 'em, and not only for their DC connections. With latest record Lisbon, the band shows just how far they've come, getting better with age though still impish and playful at heart. They continue to hone their unmistakable sound, that bouncy surf rock meets calypso meets pop, given voice through the warm warble of irrepressible (and dashingly handsome) Hamilton Leithauser. "Angela Surf City," one of my favorites, is classic Walkmen, while "Blue As Your Blood" bleeds a little bit Ennio Morricone along with the traditional Walkmen fare. And you can't help but believe Leithauser when he opines, "I could dream you forever." If you're a fan of the band, you obviously need this record. And if you're not yet a fan, Lisbon will convert you to the wonderful world of The Walkmen.
i'm relatively positive there's a whole covered/wrapped/wrapping paper joke i should be making, but quite frankly, i've been so swamped 'round here lately, i just don't have time to think of what that line is. That being said, ain't no Scrooges at LET during the holidays, so let's delve into some tasty Christmas covers, shall we?
Now, if this first one wasn't listed as part of the A.V. Club's Holiday Undercover Series, i don't know if i'd even think of it as a Christmas song. i mean, let's be honest, this is the Vacation song, pure and simple, but who am i to argue with the Walkmen? Hell, they even wore Santa hats for the video, so clearly i am in the wrong. Except i'm not, but Xmas is a time for acceptance, right? So there you have it.
Quite possibly my most favoritest holiday classic penned in the 80s, Summer Camp does a pretty faithful cover of the Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping." Much like TNT's 24-hour Christmas Story marathon, this one is a comfy fit for the holidays.
I don't know about you, darlings, but 2009 has been both kind and oh-so cruel. The highs of 2009 were astronomical, SXSW and the NIN/JA tour immediately spring to mind. But the tail of the year has been a real pisser (most recent setback: premature iPod demise. Anyone have any hookups to Apple?!). I've been busily deciding on some resolutions, the first of which was resolving to have resolutions again. I didn't make any last NYE, and figured what the hell.
2010, you are welcomed with open arms. Please don't suck.
Another of my resolutions involves writing more. While lately this has proven challenging (another lemon 2009 has thrown my way is computer problems), now that I only have 5 more work days until the void known as gainful unemployment, I'll have plenty of time to let Chris take a breather every now and then. But I must say, as far as partners in crime go, Mr. Terrible is as good as it gets.
In the spirit of the New Year, may I present to you two wonderful NYE-appropriate tunes. The first, being from those darlings of The Walkmen, is a driving force in the face of the harsh winter. The second is a new take on an old classic, Vandaveer's cover of "Auld Lang Syne". If you don't yet know about Vandaveer, don't worry, you soon will.
And with that, on behalf of Chris and myself I'd like to wish you all a spectacularly Happy New Year! May 2010 be limitlessly joyful, and bring you much happiness and good health. Cheers!
It seems so long ago that the DC-bred, NYC-transplant Walkmen first entered my musical frame of knowledge. I always tell this story, but dammit here it comes again. From the first second I heard Hamilton Leithauser's trademark wail in that Saturn commercial, I've been a Walkmen convert, and with the release of their latest album, You & Me, the band has sunken their collective hooks just that much deeper into my affections.
While Leithauser's vocals are definitely the easiest recognizable feature of the Walkmen's sound, You & Me also cashes in on several of the others. Sharp, jangly guitars have been a big part of my love affair with the Walkmen, and the new album has the sound in spades. The stellar drumming, tight and crisp and fierce, also makes appearance after appearance. And then there's the production, that like the band itself is effortlessly cool, somewhat too loose and yet sounding exactly the way it needs to.
Truth be told, there are two songs on You & Me that I listen to rather incessantly, and would cause me to put this album on my list regardless of how good (or bad) the remainder of the songs were. Happily, they're also fabulous, but I'd give serious attention to the albums first single, "In the New Year", and my absolute favorite, the bouncy "Canadian Girl." I promise, you won't be sorry. Check out the live version below (as performed in Canada, of course).
Les Enfants Terribles is a Washington, DC music blog. It's run by a music-loving lady who answers to Megan Terrible.
Please note, if you're looking for Terrible Chris, try his new joint.
Le Obligatory Disclaimer
Hear ye, hear ye.MP3s posted here are done so with permission wherever possible. If you like the bands you hear on this site, you should without question support them. Buy their music, go see them on tour, and/or buy their merch.
PLEASE NOTE: If you're a band and no longer want your music posted on this site, or a label that does not want a band's music posted herein, please write meganterrible@gmail.com, and the ship will be righted immediately, if not sooner.
Also note, LET is all about the musical lovin. Which means, only music I love will appear here. You've been warned.
Why I Decree it to Be So:
