Passion Pit – The Reeling
27 Mar
[rating:83/100]
We first heard “Sleepyhead” in late 2008 when Passion Pit’s debut EP, Chunk of Change was released viaFrench Kiss Records. Since then, “Sleepyhead” has been inescapable — it’s posted on every blog, featured on Pitchfork, MTV, and a PSP commercial. Passion Pit’s spirit is high and they are ready to release an album-proper.
“The Reeling” is the first tangible indicia of Passion Pit’s debut album, Manners; and it is nearly 5 minutes of layered and distraught pop music that immediately sounds and feels familiar, by way of LCD Soundsystem, but it ultimately feels foreign and refreshing. “The Reeling” is erratic to the point that it makes “Sleepyhead” sound almost reverent. It’s evident that Passion Pit are taking the plunge with their debut album — they are dead set on burrying “Sleepyhead” with an assemblage of terrific nu-pop songs.
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I wouldn’t pass judgment this soon, but with “The Reeling” as my voter, I think Michael Angelakos and the boys can rise to the occasion and truly deliver one of 2009′s best debuts best albums. Just for fun, here is “Sleepyhead” too. “Sleepyhead” was Passion Pit’s breakthrough single and the song just about everyone has been listening to for months, waiting for new material. There is something incredibly special about “Sleepyhead.” I don’t know if it’s the way they effortlessly and effectively sampled Mary O’Hara’s “Oro Mo Bhaidin”; or just how different and exhilarating it was in the indie-electronic community: it was more than Chairlift, more than Friendly Fires, more than Matt & Kim, more than Ra Ra Riot. It seemed as if everyone found their new MGMT.
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Now that you’ve heard both, do you think that “The Reeling” (representing their new album, Manners) lives up to the mass hype “Sleepyhead” has laid on Passion Pit’s lap?
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“Sleepyhead” was all the rage when it first came out, but I definitely think “The Reeling” is a step in the right direction.
They do kind of remind me of MGMT, not as much musically, but in the way they are/will be seen by everyone.
I personally like this a lot more than MGMT. They are WAY overplayed and people think theyre the best shit ever.
The Reeling is good, but it has nothing on Sleepyhead. Sleepyhead was epic
The Reeling > Sleepyhead IHMO
These guys are my newest obsession, I’ve been listening to Chunk of Change for weeks non-stop, so I have a very sweet spot for “Sleepyhead,” and I don’t know if “The Reeling” can just snag me away in only 3 listens.
So right now, I’m giving the title of holiness to Sleephead.
both are great songs! there’s no need to try to pick favorites. Passion Pit should be happy they released two great songs right after another.
Sleepyhead is still their best work. It’s kind of unique, Reeling is also a great song but maybe a bit closer to pop sound, while Sleepyhead was kind of indie anthem (Luis don’t hate me for genre selection
). One thing is obvious that these guys are up for big things in 2009.
The Reeling – Like the start bit, sounds like this could be interesting. Then turns into the synthier side of the 80′s which we are hearing so much of lately with MGMT, Ladyhawke & Empire of The Sun to name the main group. I think I would play it at my Indie nights and turn the sound down at the ‘Oh noooo, oh nooooo’ bits and try to get the room singing along. Not sure though if these guys are really doing it for me even though I am a fan of the 80′s sound.
Sleepyhead – Too much chipmunk sampling & high pitched squealing there for my liking.
Always wanted to find out where they got the sample for sleepyhead from, Im a happy bunny…..The Reeling is pretty good, I’m surprised at the length of their tracks, sleepyhead felt like the little extra at the end or in the middle of an album, a little gem in the midst of lengthy pop electro beats. Still one of my fav bands though!
The louder you play this one, the better.
you are so right, adam – the louder the better! actually, can’t get this tune out of my head. it’s obvious that angelakos has a wonderful talent creating and developing simple, unique melodies – not complex, but with the ability to be permanently planted in your brain. ‘Oh noooo, oh nooooo’ i betcha those kids are still singing this tune cause i certainly am.
New version on HypeM. Check it out, pretty good. Passion Pit – The Reeling (Feat. G.O.V.)
dig it. also dig this alternate video for sleepyhead: http://vimeo.com/3412420
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