Bobbyisms: Say Hi's latest charmingly brilliant
I write about random things a
lot. I write a lot about random
things. Not that you asked, but this
Tuesday is my birthday, and I can't
think of anything that would make
me happier than having all sorts of
new music released on it. Is that
weird?
Even better is that this Tuesday marks the release of the album I would call your best bet for January, the one album that I would recommend above any other this month: January 25 is the release of the long-awaited Um, Uh Oh by Say Hi.
Say Hi is one of those bands that you've either heard of or you haven't, and one that you likely love if you're acquainted with them. They were called Say Hi To Your Mom until a few years ago, Say Hi was formed by Eric Elbogen, a songwriter that began in Brooklyn and moved to Seattle late in 2006.
Though there is a call on the Internet for the use of the moniker "indie" to stop being used to describe music, there is simply no other word to describe Elbogen's unique, eclectic sound — Say Hi has always been a quirky, charming project. It began in 2002 in New York with the record Discosadness, which featured songs like The Fritz (about a malfunctioning computer) and Kill The Cat. Elbogen's lyrics, consistently strong and fascinating throughout each release, are approachable and relatable to listeners of any background.
Um, Uh Oh is the seventh release for Elbogen, and a brilliant new cornerstone work; not since 2005's Ferocious Mopes (named for the robot on the cover of the record) has there been such a strong cross-section of music so well representative of the band's sound — this new record is perfect as an introductory listen to the work of Say Hi for anyone that is looking for some caprice with their charisma.
By the numbers, the twelve songs on Um, Uh Oh average approximately 2:40 in length, and the record is such a quickie and interesting listen that will leave you wanting much more. Vocally, Elbogen sounds a lot like Conor Oberst, except much more likely to conjure images the likes of Springsteen or the Violent Femmes' Gordon Gano.
Though Elbogen's gifts in composing have been evident from the beginning, the music presented on Um, Uh Oh is clearly Elbogen at the top of his game, happily indicative of years of brilliance to come. Kicking off with Dots On Map and its dreamy Strawberry Fieldsesque opening, this record sets a pace as one full of surprises.
From the stomping, funky quality of Sister Needs A Settle to the wafting flute that fills in on All The Pretty Ones, the Tom Waits noir quality behind Shiny Diamonds and everything in between, each song is armed to burgle your attention and your time.
"Well, the Devil got my number and the Devil got my size," sings Elbogen on Devils, the album's lead single. "I'm trying hard to get up lest He make it to my heart, cos I want to make it back from the dark, dark, dark."
Top 5 songs: Posture, Etc.; Bruises To Prove It; My, How It Comes; Take Ya' Dancin'; Dots On Map.
Twenty per cent that I would cut (two songs): Handsome Babies; Lookin' Good.
Um, Uh Oh is available through iTunes and other digital music stores, and through the band's website at ILikeSayHi.com. You can follow Elbogen on Twitter @EricElbogen as the band embarks on a tour across the U.S. and Canada beginning early in February, stopping in Toronto on March 4 at El Mocambo.
And for all the latest music news, views and downloads, follow this column on Twitter at @FSU_Bobbyisms or check out the Music Recommendations thread in our FSU social network. Here's hoping that we can ring in your birthdays with awesome music too. I'm out of words.
Even better is that this Tuesday marks the release of the album I would call your best bet for January, the one album that I would recommend above any other this month: January 25 is the release of the long-awaited Um, Uh Oh by Say Hi.
Say Hi is one of those bands that you've either heard of or you haven't, and one that you likely love if you're acquainted with them. They were called Say Hi To Your Mom until a few years ago, Say Hi was formed by Eric Elbogen, a songwriter that began in Brooklyn and moved to Seattle late in 2006.
Though there is a call on the Internet for the use of the moniker "indie" to stop being used to describe music, there is simply no other word to describe Elbogen's unique, eclectic sound — Say Hi has always been a quirky, charming project. It began in 2002 in New York with the record Discosadness, which featured songs like The Fritz (about a malfunctioning computer) and Kill The Cat. Elbogen's lyrics, consistently strong and fascinating throughout each release, are approachable and relatable to listeners of any background.
Um, Uh Oh is the seventh release for Elbogen, and a brilliant new cornerstone work; not since 2005's Ferocious Mopes (named for the robot on the cover of the record) has there been such a strong cross-section of music so well representative of the band's sound — this new record is perfect as an introductory listen to the work of Say Hi for anyone that is looking for some caprice with their charisma.
By the numbers, the twelve songs on Um, Uh Oh average approximately 2:40 in length, and the record is such a quickie and interesting listen that will leave you wanting much more. Vocally, Elbogen sounds a lot like Conor Oberst, except much more likely to conjure images the likes of Springsteen or the Violent Femmes' Gordon Gano.
Though Elbogen's gifts in composing have been evident from the beginning, the music presented on Um, Uh Oh is clearly Elbogen at the top of his game, happily indicative of years of brilliance to come. Kicking off with Dots On Map and its dreamy Strawberry Fieldsesque opening, this record sets a pace as one full of surprises.
From the stomping, funky quality of Sister Needs A Settle to the wafting flute that fills in on All The Pretty Ones, the Tom Waits noir quality behind Shiny Diamonds and everything in between, each song is armed to burgle your attention and your time.
"Well, the Devil got my number and the Devil got my size," sings Elbogen on Devils, the album's lead single. "I'm trying hard to get up lest He make it to my heart, cos I want to make it back from the dark, dark, dark."
Top 5 songs: Posture, Etc.; Bruises To Prove It; My, How It Comes; Take Ya' Dancin'; Dots On Map.
Twenty per cent that I would cut (two songs): Handsome Babies; Lookin' Good.
Um, Uh Oh is available through iTunes and other digital music stores, and through the band's website at ILikeSayHi.com. You can follow Elbogen on Twitter @EricElbogen as the band embarks on a tour across the U.S. and Canada beginning early in February, stopping in Toronto on March 4 at El Mocambo.
And for all the latest music news, views and downloads, follow this column on Twitter at @FSU_Bobbyisms or check out the Music Recommendations thread in our FSU social network. Here's hoping that we can ring in your birthdays with awesome music too. I'm out of words.
