|
Why is the comeback of new wave triggering folks to curiously ponder
it, as if it were somehow shocking, or at least unexpected? There's
nothing odd about the resurgence of the early-'80s artsy and dark
post-punk movement. Every decade recycles its defining qualities,
namely, music and fashion. A small, usually 20-something, sector of
each generation looks back to a particular era feeling that they
missed out. Thus, by bringing it back, they get to live it for the
first time. Meanwhile the 40-something crowd chuckles over the silly,
inauthentic revival and claims haughtily, "We were there
first."
It would seem, however, that to move forward, regression is
necessary. In the late '80s and early '90s, Nirvana toiled with
late-'70s punk and early-'80s hardcore to create something fresh,
which ultimately became the grunge explosion. So, perhaps, while the
latest underground trend is to rediscover new wave (the mainstream is
a bit slower, just now catching up to punk), an all-new movement is
in the making. We can only hope.
In the meantime, Vancouver, B.C.'s Hot Hot Heat have got that retro
fever. Their five-song Sub Pop EP debut, Knock Knock Knock,
gets the hips shaking with banging melodies, spastic yelps and trashy
rhythms.
Opening track "Le Le Low" is driven fervently by quiet-loud build-ups
and infectious, erratic beats, while "Touch You Touch You" most
recalls The Cure for its Robert Smith-like desperate, drawn-out
vocals, an intense wall-of-sound rhythm section and reverberating,
angular guitar. With an upbeat ska riff, light and happy drumming and
jangly melodies, closing track "More for Show" is the record's most
lighthearted moment.
All this resurrection, when done with passion and skill, can be quite
fun and come as a first to many young music fans. And if this is the
hurdle to hop in order to arrive at the next movement in music, with
bands like Hot Hot Heat it's well worth the leap. And, by the way, if
you really want to think forward — get those flannels out, that
grunge revival will be here sooner than you might imagine!
|
