Music Review

The Presets - Apocalypso

The Presets are a band from Sydney Australia that I have become completely enamored of. I was turned on to them by a good friend who always gives me great suggestions regarding new music, and this time he really hit the jackpot. If I like a band I usually go ga-ga over them, and this is no exception.

I’m in LOVE!

They have two albums out now — their latest APOCALYPSO, and their first BEAMS. They are both excellent, but I have to say I like their newest best. Some term them a “dance punk” band, and that suits me just fine. They aren’t a straight up dance band because much of their music has a rock sound to it. They aren’t a punk band either. They really do combine the best of both.

They’ve won some awards recently, including ARIA awards for “Best Dance Release” and “Album of the Year”. I’d vote to give them even more. I’ve become enchanted with them and listen to them at thunderous volume levels every chance I get.

They consist of two guys — Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes — and they are both really cute besides putting out good music. They toured with DAFT PUNK recently, so that should tell you something about their vibe.

My favorite songs on their new album are MY PEOPLE, which has a very tribal groove and really makes me move. Any song that makes my head bang up and down gets an A+ in my book. — A NEW SKY, which has an almost ethereal feel to it. It starts out with an almost operatic set of vocals. — THIS BOYS IN LOVE, which reminds me of all the world of something Erasure would have done — and AEONS, which has a vast electronic sound that is as beautiful as it is compelling.

Their first album also has some excellent songs on it, my favorite being GIRL AND THE SEA, which is likewise has a very beautiful melody.

They are coming to Denver on April 10th, and I guarantee I’ll be there. I always look forward to seeing a band live after I’ve fallen in love with their albums. I do this with a certain sense of trepidation because I’ve often been disappointed. I know that few bands can produce music live as they do in a studio. But, if they put on a show that is 1/2 as good as their albums I’ll be thrilled. They are also scheduled to spin at a local club — LIP GLOSS - after the show and I’ll be headed there as well.

Nearly any band I write about I think is good enough for you to buy, but in this case I’m BEGGING you to please go out and buy APOCALYPTO by The Presets. It is beyond excellent. It moves into the realm of epic.

The Presets MySpace - www.myspace.com/thepresets

The Presets at Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Presets

The Presets Home Page - www.thepresets.com/deterioration_alternate.html

~ SamSez