Comments on: Harlem Shakes – Technicolor Health, Album Review & Vinyl LP Giveaway

By: denise

denise — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:30:45 +0000

it’s definitely more refreshing than the norm. I love the instrumentation and catchy choruses. Looking forward to hearing the whole album!

By: alice

alice — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:54:41 +0000

I would have to definitely say that I’m glad you posted these. I had written the band off after reading reviews before, but I’m definitely giving them a nice chance now. Ironically, the same thing happened to me with Vampire Weekend. But the Harlem Shakes definitely hold their own and the comparison isn’t quite fair.

By: Maaian

Maaian — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:12:05 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks for the Dragonette mp3

By: Nina

Nina — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:50:21 +0000

Based on what I’d heard, I expected this band to be a Vampire Weekend knockoff. Luckily, they are so much better than that. This is shaping up to be the album of the summer!

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:44:15 +0000

Finally I know what to call the genre I like. Usually i would say anything that isn’t taken over by the radio but “afro-pop” is much better. Now to the tracks. Great beats,makes me want to paint a picture or have a picnic. [if that makes sense] Would really like to hear more of the album to capture that distinct sound you mention. “Niagra Falls” is the sway your head, tap you foot kind of song that i need right now. Great music from what i hear!!

By: AJ

AJ — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:13:45 +0000

Great review. Sunlight has been on repeat in my car since the weather got warm here. Would LOVE to see them live!

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:29:35 +0000

wow this is good, not really what I was expecting! definitely up there with manners, and veckatimest.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:08:40 +0000

This is my favorite album this year so far, followed only by Passion Pit’s Manners and amazingly, by some act of God, they are on tour together (by some other act of God, there are no Florida tour dates).

After seeing Pitchfork decimate this album, I had lost hope in the music reviewing community. For some reason these guys get a bad rep due to their “privileged” status. So what! They make excellent music. Apparently making upbeat, catchy songs is a sin these days.

I saw the Shakes here in Orlando when they were touring with Vampire Weekend, promoting Burning Birthdays, and again with Tokyo Police Club. Both times they were amazing.

During the show with Vampire Weekend, the bassist for The Shakes accidentally kicked the drum he was playing into the crowd and just continued on, as if nothing happened.
In the show with Tokyo Police Club, the Shakes called up both Tokyo Police Club and Ruby Coast (the other opener) to the stage to join in a song. Before long there were upwards of 20+ people on the stage playing any instrument they could find. What was awesome about this is that Tokyo Police club were the headliner and had not even played yet!

Harlem Shakes are also pretty chill guys too. At the show with Tokyo Police Club, they hung out in the crowd the entire time socializing and also ran their own merch booth.

As I stated earlier, I love this album. It was murder waiting for this thing to come out after hearing bits an pieces before it’s release. My personal favorite track is “Radio Orlando”. It holds a certain place in my heart, being from the aforementioned city and all.

“TFO” was a shockingly familiar track, as they played this long before release when they opened for Vampire Weekend. I recount hearing this track and instantly being oddly addicted to the vocal patterns. There’s something weirdly unnatural and other-worldly about it. It would be a long year until I finally heard this song again.

“Strictly Game” is just an all around strong track that just keeps delivering the entire way through. It’s upbeat tempo makes it hard to not to find yourself nodding along to it.

All-in-all, I think this is really a superb album. I really hope we see Technicolor Health on some End-of-Year wrap up lists, so that the Shakes finally get the attention they deserve. The album remains one of the favorite “keep-on-loop” records in my collection. I’ve never written one of these things, but felt compelled to do so this time. Thanks for giving them a fair chance.

By: Zdub

Zdub — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:49:58 +0000

Their live set was really fun at SXSW’s Red Eyed Fly party. They’re a young band with a lot of potential. The tracks here at least showed that the subtle breaks in convention each slightly derivative song offers give the Harlem Shakes a unique sound. They did a good job of mixing the elements in studio (it was muddier live), and I’m excited to hear how the whole album sounds on vinyl. Hopefully, it’s the perfect seasonal release.

More horns!

By: Minh

Minh — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:01:16 +0000

I saw these guys back in March at Webster Hall and I thought it was great. Couldn’t find a nicer bunch of guys just having fun playing on stage. The new album is very good. I was glad to hear all the new stuff then. Bonus, they’re coming into my home town next Saturday with Passion Pit!

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:09:14 +0000

Pretty much a contender for album of the year. Great mix of sounds and probably put on a great show.

I would love to have it on vinyl to hear the better acoustics.