I got my hands on Dischord's 20th anniversary compilation around the time I posted my last blog entry and have been working my way through that recently so haven't had much time to listen to Finnish stuff. But here's something now.
As much as bands shouldn't be accorded praise and respect based on who their friends are, the fact that today's blog subject has had their last two albums recorded by Steve Albini has that sort of effect. A former bandmate of mine once described Shellac's music as "brutal" and "relentless". Fun are a bit like this, but there's some light relief in there as well. The band's record label says this about them:
"Think of Rapeman and Melt Banana, fry up some Butthole Surfers and then add a dash of the spastic Finnish jazzcore of Deep Turtle." (www.ifsociety.com/bands.php)
That doesn't mean too much to me, but maybe it does to someone else (other than its author). I've only listened to one of Fun's records – Zu-Pa, plus the stuff on their website – but on it I hear lots of Shellac with at least the occasional dash of Mr. Bungle. They also have an attitude that reminds me of Groop Dogdrill, if that means anything to you.
" 'Fun'. The name says it all. It's a reminder of what rock music should be." (www.fullsteamrecords.com/app/artist/list/-/category)
Considering that "Angora" describes the stabbing of a woman, I'm not sure if I have quite the same sense of humour, but I can see what's being gotten at – Fun sound like they're capable of having a laugh....sometimes.
Zu-Pa's most accessible track is "Slonko" (www.noisecorewalze.com/#/media), which absolutely oozes coolness. Also worth a listen – in addition to the tunes on the band's website – is "I've Got a Truck" (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGN6ADSI4Dc), if only to hear how a song's first two minutes can be based almost solely on one repeating bass note. The first time you listen to the song, this beginning is very boring, but after that first listening, armed with the knowledge that there's something coming in two minutes' time, the buildup and release is exhilarating.
As much as bands shouldn't be accorded praise and respect based on who their friends are, the fact that today's blog subject has had their last two albums recorded by Steve Albini has that sort of effect. A former bandmate of mine once described Shellac's music as "brutal" and "relentless". Fun are a bit like this, but there's some light relief in there as well. The band's record label says this about them:
"Think of Rapeman and Melt Banana, fry up some Butthole Surfers and then add a dash of the spastic Finnish jazzcore of Deep Turtle." (www.ifsociety.com/bands.php)
That doesn't mean too much to me, but maybe it does to someone else (other than its author). I've only listened to one of Fun's records – Zu-Pa, plus the stuff on their website – but on it I hear lots of Shellac with at least the occasional dash of Mr. Bungle. They also have an attitude that reminds me of Groop Dogdrill, if that means anything to you.
" 'Fun'. The name says it all. It's a reminder of what rock music should be." (www.fullsteamrecords.com/app/artist/list/-/category)
Considering that "Angora" describes the stabbing of a woman, I'm not sure if I have quite the same sense of humour, but I can see what's being gotten at – Fun sound like they're capable of having a laugh....sometimes.
Zu-Pa's most accessible track is "Slonko" (www.noisecorewalze.com/#/media), which absolutely oozes coolness. Also worth a listen – in addition to the tunes on the band's website – is "I've Got a Truck" (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGN6ADSI4Dc), if only to hear how a song's first two minutes can be based almost solely on one repeating bass note. The first time you listen to the song, this beginning is very boring, but after that first listening, armed with the knowledge that there's something coming in two minutes' time, the buildup and release is exhilarating.
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