Sunday, September 18, 2011

College "A Real Hero" EP

  
    Often times we have heard a song or seen a movie that seems like it belongs in another decade.  College’s 2010 EP A Real Hero could be described as one of the those albums that was released 30 years late.  The synthesizers reminds us of flashy 80’s cop TV shows as well as John Hughes soundtracks.  What is most important about A Real Hero is that not only does it sound like a product of 1984, but it does so while remaining a serious work and not being ironic.
    Part of the French dance music collective Valerie, College follows up his Teenage Color album with this tribute to 80's soundtracks. The title track off the EP is the only one with vocals, sung by Electric Youth (a nod to Debbie Gibson’s 1989 single of the same name).  The song is about growing up and becoming, as the song says, “A real human being.”  “A Real Hero” could easily have been left off of one of John Hughes’ soundtrack albums, playing over Molly Ringwald’s Sixteen Candles table-top birthday celebration or the freeze frame fist pump of Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club.  The rest of the album plays more as a soundtrack album by Tangerine Dream for an early Michael Mann TV show.  The cover art is an image of what seems like title credit’s to a cheesy cop show played on a now antique television.
    What is most admirable about College’s A Real Hero is that it treats itself as a serious collection of work.  It is dramatic while still employing countless hooks.  Where some bands use schizophrenic beats and playful lyrics over their instruments, College obviously loves the style and knows where he is pulling from.  The title track was recently featured in the film Drive: expect it to become a post modern classic to be held up with the songs of the past it pays tribute to. 

8 comments:

  1. First few sentences are a nice introduction - makes me want to read more because you jump right into giving a preview of what the vibe of the album is like. Got a solid idea of the band's sound from your description but mention of a few standout tracks would be nice.

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  2. Good review. The idea that the album is " a serious work" becomes redundant.

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  3. Great, I want to hear this album now. Maybe talk more about the individual songs. Liked the band's intro.

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  4. I enjoy the play of the era you see the music in. It really gives me a feel of what this artist was trying to do.

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  5. awesome review. love the breakfast club reference!

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  6. Bold statement to say that the album will be "a post modern classic to be held up with the songs of the past it pays tribute to" it's risky to assume something that hasn't happened yet, if it pays off then you will indeed have the last laugh.

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  7. The review was good, but I wish you would've went more in detail what the music actually sounds like other than comparing it to other 80s hits and referring to pop culture. I got the main jist, but what makes this band unique? I also feel like you ended abruptly, saying that a song was in Drive. Try a summary of your ideas next time or further elaborate on maybe why the song fits the movie.

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  8. "Often times we have heard a song or seen a movie that seems like it belongs in another decade." Nix that sentence! The very next sentence says what you're getting at much more effectively.

    " “A Real Hero” could easily have been left off of one of John Hughes’ soundtrack albums, playing over Molly Ringwald’s Sixteen Candles table-top birthday celebration or the freeze frame fist pump of Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club." --There ya go! Nice.

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