Yes New York

It was only a matter of time until someone; somewhere cashed in and released a compilation of sounds from the bands of New York City.

This time, no one cashes in; so don’t expect your average mainstream aimed comp here…

Art-garage rock (a term linked directly to New York, and one which has failed to raise its head over here in the UK) is apparently smack bang in the middle of the city that never sleeps, and this comp has taken the pick of the crop from bands circulating the downtown clubs and studios. Hence why fellow New Yorkers such as The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and The Movielife have been avoided due to not fitting the ‘current scene’, which is disappointing.  

Aside from unofficial leaders, The Strokes, and up and coming heroes Radio 4 and Interpol (whose ‘NYC’ offering is pretty weak compared to the rest of ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’) we get a enlightening selection of the new up and coming stars, ready to grace our skies.

Take The Rogers Sisters’ post-punk ‘Zero Point’, similar to a chilled out, self-assured Jack Off Jill, or the electro-garage pop-rockers The Fever. 

There is something for everyone here; the soft, amicable indie tracks – Longwave’s ‘Next Plateau’ or Calla’s ‘Strangler’; the oblique but impeccable sounds of The Rapture; and the unsurprising expectations – via a live version of ‘New York City Cops’ by faves The Strokes. 

As usual, there is always one song that’s gonna get right on your tits as soon as you hear it – this would subsequently be DFA’s remix of Le Tigre’s ‘Deceptacon’. Its distorted groove riffage reminds you of Room 5’s ‘Make Luv’ from the Lynx advert, and the vocals…! Maybe that sound of a whiny kid on helium embarrassing their mum in the supermarket is an acquired taste, but this hurts your head and pisses you off. Avoid. 

If you can’t live there, try the next best thing. Get hold of ‘Yes New York’ and immerse yourself in its colourful rock music scenery; get the incense out and create a smoky atmosphere; chat about modern art to your mirror and tie a scarf around your neck (ignoring the fact that your bollocks are so hot, ‘boil in the bag’ brings a whole new meaning…). Look at yourself. You’re already in that small downtown  NYC club…enjoy. 

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