A seamless updating of the new wave era, specifically that brief point at which the hottest band from the American South was the dB's and not R.E.M., the self-titled debut from Chicago's extravagantly punctuated the Its! is quirky and catchy in equal measure. The best songs, like the jittery "Take a Number," blend singer/songwriter Maciej Padowski's wide-eyed and boyish vocals with jangly guitars and ricky-tick organ over an amped-up rhythm section that keeps threatening to move things leftward into Gang of Four-style dance-rock. Lesser material keeps the overall sound but lacks the essential spark of melody and lyrical wit that shines through tunes like "You're Not My Girlfriend" and "Wake Up." Still, at a time when it seems like most young bands have followed the Strokes and Interpol into rehashing the best of the U.K. post-punk scene, it's refreshing to hear a group stick up for the Americans. -AMG
The Its! - The Its! - 2006/rs
or
The Its! - The Its! - 2006/sb
Is this different from the 2005 album that the review talks about? the AMG review shows 17 tracks, but this download (at least the RS version, only has 8 and none of the titles match up.
ReplyDeleteI really like this one -- a good sound, although I'd say it's more like 90's powerpop revival than Gang of Four...
I think this is a different band, after doing a bit more research.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an EP by a spinoff band from Too Much Joy
http://www.sayhername.com/its_music.php
You are correct Jim! In my haste to post some music while I was on vacation, I posted the wrong it's disc. Thanks for bring this to my attention
ReplyDeleteCurty Ray