Tanlines, the electronic duo turned quartet on stage, were releasing their new album ‘Highlights’ on May 19th on True Panther Sounds, and although they are from New York, they had chosen Amoeba here in Los Angeles for the place to celebrate. When I call them electronic duo, it is after reading about them because on stage they looked pretty traditional, with guitars bass and drums,… sure there also were a few beat machines and synth but all this was looking like a lot of indie bands. They said they have aimed to the ‘sounds of ’90s New York hip-hop drums, Detroit techno synths, with lots and lots of guitars’ for this new album, but I went to Amoeba without any preconceived idea as I often discover new music in situ.
Their first song was very breezy, melodious and a bit atmospheric thanks to recordings of seashore noises that they used all-set long. And for a moment I didn’t know exactly what to do with them, foot-tapping gentle indie rock or what else? The other songs accelerated the rhythm, the second one became a fast-driving machine, synth-and-percussion-driven, with more and more beats … and if they mentioned the 90’s earlier, I almost looked further in the past, probably in the 80’s? One of their songs, ‘Bad Situations, had an almost Tear For Fears feeling, and I even got Culture Club (minus Boy George) in my mind for a few seconds at one point. Tanlines’ music was floating between two currents without deciding exactly where to go, with lots of beats barely propelling it to the future, and an almost soft rock served by a retro synth and a Chris Martin type of voice. They were a bit atmospheric, with attempts of dancing numbers, especially with songs like ‘Pieces’, who had a tamed down 80’s Peter-Gabriel-dance-floor vibe. Still, even though I can’t hide that these songs could have afford a bit more enthusiasm, should I say that a lot of people were enjoying the beats and the mellow ambiance, even dancing between the CDs rows? The last song, ‘Real Life’ off their 2012 album ‘Mixed Emotion’ had more Brazilian, or at least exotic, beats and brought more fun, although it reminded me about something Moby could have done may be?
But you have to give these guys credit for the most creative website, which mimics Netflix and parody movie posters starring Jesse Cohen and bandmate Eric Emm, with a synopsis to go with each album and song. It’s funny, even brilliant and demonstrates a great sense of humor for sure. They also teamed with Funny or Die to make this video for the album’s single ‘Pieces’, a sort of homage to ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, filmed in Venice Beach. Still, they may know about intelligent and creative marketing but I am not sure it’s gonna be this summer’s hit.
