This post has been so long overdue that it isn’t even funny. Finally I have now blogged Berlin-based The Whitest Boy Alive properly. I have been so bloody hooked on their first album “Dreams” since its release back in 2006 and now the time has come again for the same effect to occur with their next album, “Rules”, that just *cough*leaked*cough* recently. It has already taken up my precious listening time. This band, the one true band I wanted to tour downunder for oh so terribly long actually became reality just a month or two ago for Modular’s Nevereverland. So, basically, you could say I’m a happy man right now and have been for a while. And isn’t Erlend such a charmer? I’m asking all you girls out there…
Anyway, the band is made up of: Erlend Øye (one-half of Kings of Convenience; new album out very soon) who plays guitar & sings, Marcin Öz plays the bass, Sebastian Maschat plays drums and Daniel Nentwig plays rhodes & crumar.
WBA started off as an electronic project but wanted to shift to more of a “live” thing. They had one split 10″ with Cosmo Vitelli, released on Kitsune back in 2004 when they were in their electronic phaze. This track, “Inflation”, was also included on the Kitsune Midnight compilation. The track was re-done later down the path for the debut album “Dreams”.
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Inflation
Their music could be best described as shoegaze, minimal-pop, dream-pop, indie-rock, etc..etc.. with heavy disco influences. It’s amazing and so dreamy; one must just simply hear it. Love at first sight listen? They have also been signed to UK’s Modular for releases over there but have their own label called Bubbles. The following are tracks from the first album “Dreams” (2006):
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Burning
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Done With You
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Inflation
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Golden Cage
Fred Falke, my favourite French-house producer, remixed ‘Golden Cage’ back in 2008 and I can comfortably say, hands down, this was my favourite remix of 2008. Just amazing.
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Golden Cage (Fred Falke Remix)
Now onto their second album “Rules” (2009), taking its title due to the fact that each track describes a different rule (false). According to the band, they have taken a more organic approach to recording, with all of the tracks being recorded live with no overdubs or additional effects. The album was recorded in a beach-side studio the band created in Mexico over summer.
The sessions resulted in several hundred different takes of 11 songs, inspired by recorded ideas the band gathered during soundchecks and live jams during the 120 gigs they played touring Dreams in 2007-2008. “Nothing is added which cannot be played takes.”And man, I’m speechless with this one. Syncopated Rhodes/Crumar sounds are more distinct on this album and that’s what I love so dearly about it, just that disco’ish sound that runs through the record. Their trademark sound is still there but in a way that’s more enhanced, more rich. Some tracks are more jumpy, more dancier; just a whole bunch of fun. But everything is so melodramatic, so beautiful, just bliss. I could not have asked for a better followup album. Just so magical.
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Courage
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Keep a Secret
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – High on the Heels
I have decided that to really appreciate this band, you must see them live. It was like nothing I had experienced before. If you ever get the chance please do it; you won’t regret it. These are Youtube rips of cover tracks they only perform live so I don’t think we will get studio quality for these in eons…:
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Music Sounds Better With You (Stardust Cover)
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Show Me Love (Robin S. Cover)
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Daft Punk Cover)
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – Pump Up the Jam (Technotronic Cover)
MP3: The Whitest Boy Alive – The Power (Snap! Cover)
Please support the artist. I mean it. So all you kids out there.., preorder “Rules” (out March 3rd on Bubbles) here or if you are in Aussieland, do so right here.
hmmm…
guess i gotta get off my lazy arse and check out whitest boy alive AND kings of convenience… so much to sample too!
*_*
And where would I be able to pick up a *coughleakcough* of this release lad?
A PM on DJ would be suffice. (kiss)
It’s alright mate, I’ve got it.
great post. erlend is a charmer! just marry me already man.
love the new album!
and what’s with the album leaking! The Whitest Boy Alive, Franz Ferdinand, Das Pop, … it doesn’t stop!
not that we mind of course
Blah. Had a similar idea to post the covers myself… hate you.
there are loss for words when i hear erlend oye, in every and any presentation which he comes in (koc, wba, acoustic, whatever)… honey beautiful honey to my hears.. i am constantly told i am obsessed with his music.. and i will not deny it..
wba does some of their recordings down here in mexico (nayarit) to be precise, in some forgotten beach.. had the IMMENSE pleasure of meeting him and chatting with him on his birthday.. he went around all the tables in the restaurant taking pictures and telling everyone to close their eyes.. priceless. something i will definitely tell my children (if they ever exist).
great post, great site.
Couldn’t agree with you more Patch. I stumbled across their myspace a couple of years ago and would have listened to Dreams several thousand times since… Okay slight exaggeration. But seriously, I struggle to call to mind a tighter, smoother band that can create such a sublime sound with so few instruments and post-production.
Also caught them at nevereverland (definitely the reason I went) and was simply blown away. Had to work the Monday nite and missed them at the Corner, 2 friends that went said it was the best set they’ve seen aside from Daft Punk, high praise, high praise indeed.
Oh and the Fred Falke remix also my fave remix of ‘08…. I’m going to have to find something to disagree with you about quick, i’m losing all credability.
Keep up the great work guys, love the site.
michell: i’m quite envious!
almanac: haha! i’m glad you agree
i was quite lucky to meet erlend after the gig at nevereverland and got a new photo with him. i then went to third class for the after party and had a lovely talk outside with marcin.. erlend stumbled upon the scene and then we went inside the club. he whispered to me “if you could have any girl in this club right now, who would it be?” and i was lost for words. i pointed at some random girl and say “hmm probably her..” and he looked over and just laughed..
the corner gig… don’t get me started. greater than daft punk for me… well my order of gigs for the last 2 years would be:
1. wba
2. fred falke (at roxanne)
3. daft punk
x
“My neck is sore from agreeing so much”.
Falke Remix of Golden Cage is ridonculouly amazing. Will go off at Prince this Friday. Only wish he wouldnt loop it when playing it live.
Saw WBA at Nevereverland and they were incredible. Corner Show was infinitely better. Hard to articulate but you knew you were seeing something very special. When the lights came back on and the mexican girl was dancing on stage, and the audience was losing their shit; just magic.
“When your going to dance on stage with your favourite band, don’t hold on to the guitar players arm when he’s about to play his big riff.”
Jamming with the trumpeters from Herculeas and Love Affair, so sublime.
Daft Punk was, and probably will always be the best show i’ll ever see.
WBA at the corner and M83 tied for 2nd.
Falke at Roxannes was insane, but not in the league of DP, WBA or M83.
Great Post Patch, keep up the good work.
Tom
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BONZA post Patch, and a killer album at that; the first truly great album of 2009.
And I’m sure there’s a few boys out there who also think Erlend’s a charmer Mister…
[...] höger). WAVES AT NIGHT är så jävla bra, och unnade häromdagen sina läsare en riktigt fyllig The Whitest Boy Alive-post. Alla låtar är såklart mer eller mindre vassa, men en jag inte hört tidigare var en cover [...]
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[...] At Night did a nice little piece on WBA a while back, with a crapload of mp3s, so I’m not going to try and emulate that. I was [...]
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saw them in london last year for their dreams tour. it was the best gig i have been to. i much prefer the wba stuff to kings of convenience. live they are truly magical. really, really, really worth going to…