Dance Disaster Movement We Are From Nowhere Dim Mak, 2003 amazon

Electroclash. Dance punk. New wave revival. They're not meritless genres, but they've been watered down considerably now that every Tom, Dick, and Harry indie newcomer decides to throw an organ and some dance hooks into their music. As local radio kingpin Aaron Axelson put it, "dance punk is sweeping the nation". For better or for worse. I can't help but get bored these days when i hear the latest tepid offering from the Bravery, or even former torchbearers like Le Tigre. The Bravery are a band that earns frequent (somewhat misguided) comparisons to punk pioneers Fugazi for their DIY approach. Although not warranted by the quality of their music, i think a spiritual connection with the sonic assault of Dischord Records is what's needed to right the dance punk ship. Enter Dance Disaster Movement, an LA-based band that's been around since 2001. Their debut 2003 album We Are From Nowhere dispenses with the posturing of other Johnny-come-lately indie acts and proceeds to just rip s@*t up. Perhaps more akin to rhythm merchants the Liars and short-lived Dischord innovators Black Eyes than the Rapture, the band layers sharp bursts of organ and guitar with funky drum beats and shouted vocals. Opener "I Want Your Sass" compels you to dance, or just beat the crap out of something. The band demonstrates its range in "C'est La Vie", featuring several tempo-changing, almost trip-hoppy segments. "Quarkscrews" is an experiment in electronic blips and noise, followed by a return to a dance punk attack in "Got The Piece Of Mind (Shoot Me In The Fucking Head)". While the later part of the album does seem to fall into an organ-guitar-drum rut, it is nonetheless a refreshing shift from the polish of more mainstream indie acts. It seems like most of the bands falling under the dance punk moniker these days are forgoing the rage of punk for an array of dancy riffs. DDM get the formula right, and are currently continuing their sonic revolution with this summer's release of the Snow on the TV ep.

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