I kind of bashed these guys after seeing them open for Wolf Parade back in October. They had lost Erica, the band’s eye candy, but more importantly, its voice. I decided to give the band another chance. Dirty on Purpose are a really good band. They write some really nice indie pop songs, that occasionally crank it up a notch and start to rock. I think musically the band sounded tighter than a few months ago, but i’m sorry to report that the vocals are still a problem. You have to think the band knows it, as 3 of 4 band members took turns on lead vocals. As I said back in October, I have every confidence that they will be able to put together a great record in the studio. People will listen to the tracks on myspace and get excited. They will go to the shows…. and they will continue to be dissapointed in a band that could be so much more.
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you know, in all honesty, i kinda always felt that way and the singing. erika was a nice part of the vocal mix, but her voice wasn’t all that strong either. from the first time i saw them i thought that the vocals were lacking. they make up for it with songwriting & energy. so i don’t think it all rides on her. but with that said, i still have a small hope that at some point they will do something to mix things up.
yeah, i’m not trying to say its all her fault either, but somehow with her in the mix, it worked and now it doesn’t.
[…] Maybe my dissapointment over friday night’s Dirty On Purpose show had something to do with my anticipation for seeing (alright I’ll just come out and say it) my favorite new band, Wilderness . They played their second of a two night stint at the Cake Shop. Having seen them for the fourth time now, one would think the novelty would be wearing thin, but for me its bordering on a life changing experience. First of all, these guys are serious. This is not a fun show, where everyone is dancing and laughing. The music, and more specifically James Johnson’s lyrics and demeanor carry both an immediacy and urgency that few bands even try to carry off. The feel is something like Joy Division, but not in the Paul Banks sings kinda like Ian Curtis kind of way, but in a’ this is some important music that grabs you and is about right now’ way. The result is a performance which audience members are channeling the music, not just spectators. Guitarist Colin McCann seemed to be playing two parts at once, and Johnson, unwilling to be merely stoic at the mic, was alternately sitting on the floor, standing on the drum kit, behind the kit (whist the drummer took a short break during an intro part), and into the audience itself, never losing his intensity. […]
Word is that their new album, “Hallelujah Sirens” is due out in May. That’s a pretty good turnaround considering they were recording over the holidays. Can’t wait to hear it.
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