Out Hud — S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.
Originally from Sacramento, California, they relocated in New York in 2001 where they found themselves at the heart of a lively neo-post-punk whatever scene. From Velvet/Television wannabees The Strokes to cleaned-up, washed out Joy Division followers Interpol to the dancey punks of The Raptures to the psyche of Black Dice. Together with the latter, Out Hud are probably the more original of the lot.
Not satisfied by just reinterpreting the works of the great bands of twenty years ago, Out Hud acknowledge what happened between 1980 and 2003. This means that a lot can be heard in S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D. From the extremely playful, ass-shaking brand of punk that made the Gang of Four famous to early 90’s hiphop. Not forgetting: a guitarist who has listened a lot to PIL’s Keith Levene, Dub à la Adrian Sherwood, Suicide own brand of post-punk_with_no_guitar, late 80’s House and Disco. Yes Sir. Not only do they mix all this together in style, but they also manage to sound completely new.
Out Hud also specialise in great song titles: Dad, there’s a little phrase called too much information, Hair dude, you’re stepping on my mystique and The L train is a swell train and I don’t want to hear you indies complain. Dad... starts with a house-beat interrupted by a surge of noise, before an early-80’s sounding guitar kicks in, noisy and calm at the same time, full of echoes. We have here an odd Dub track, extremely inventive, with new wave type of keyboard sounds. I don’t know how anyone would not stand up and dance to this song... This bum’s paid leaves a greater room to the cello (at time duelling with the guitar) and builds a more intimate atmosphere (expect no rest for your legs and booty though). The L train.. is where Out Hud show off their hiphop influences. Deep bass, nice little guitar melody, great percussive work (as ever).
Extremely fun, thoroughly enjoyable, S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D. comes as a surprise from Kranky. One would have expected it on DFA (The Raptures, Black Dice), but does it matter? Six tracks, 35 minutes, a tad too short for a release that will warm your pants!
Although it was released last winter, this album will have the temperature of your summer rise. This could have been a great soundtrack to Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam and its sexed-up sticky and sweaty atmosphere.
Full scale fuckfest awaits!!!! (And no, I’m not advertising for business trips to Thailand.)