Saturday 18 May
 
 

God bless metal

Becoming the Archetype with Bermuda, The Burial, Horror Cosmic and Veil of Suffering
6 p.m. Saturday
The Conservatory
8911 N. Western
conservatoryokc.com
607-4805
$12-$14
05/15/2013 | Comments 0

Here for the party

Gretchen Wilson with Outlaw Son
6 p.m. Thursday
Newcastle Casino
2457 U.S. 62, Newcastle
mynewcastlecasino.com
387-6013
free
05/15/2013 | Comments 0

Bright stripes

Tiger High with Cosmonauts and The Garden
10 p.m. Monday
Kamps 1310 Lounge
1310 N.W. 25th
kamps1310lounge.com
819-6004
$5
05/15/2013 | Comments 0

Reverb brotherhood

Basile Benefit Bash with The True Believers, The Fortune Tellers, The Reverb Brothers, DJ Jon Mooneyham and more
9 p.m. Friday-Saturday
VZD’s Restaurant & Club
4200 N. Western
vzds.com
524-4203
$20 Friday, $10 Saturday
05/15/2013 | Comments 0

Back to basics

O Fidelis with Chelsey Cope
9 p.m. Thursday
Wormy Dog Saloon
311 E. Sheridan
wormydog.com
601-6276
free
05/08/2013 | Comments 0
Home · Articles · CDs · Indie · Body Language — Social Studies
Indie

Body Language — Social Studies


This band is properly named.

Joshua Boydston October 24th, 2011

If Body Language breaks out like it has the potential to, the Brooklyn-based four piece surely would owe a heavy debt to Passion Pit; it’s a similar formula with the twist of adding a female vocalist … although that feels but a step removed from Michael Angelakos’ signature falsetto.

bodylanguagesocialstudies

At the same time, the band shines in its own unique ways, taking an artier approach to crafting equally catchy tracks and spinning out more funky moments. Indeed, Body Language’s debut record, “Social Studies,” digs further than “Manners” ever did, pulling from a deeper well of electronic and house authorities in creating a proper debut that feels appropriately studious.

By studious, I don’t mean heady. This album is directed right at your hips and nowhere else, although when the groove proves exhausting there is plenty for your head and heart to enjoy as well.

The title track starts with a bubbly synth ring and delicate chimes that paint a picture of falling in love on the playground before the following “Tempoture” blasts you straight forward into the present with a layered but spacious wash of squiggles, drums and piano.

The leadoff single, “You Can,” dips and dives through a half-dozen showcase moments, highlighting handclaps, reverb synthesizers and Matt Young and Angelica Bess’ shared vocal duties. Even the more subdued, saddened moments in songs like “Falling Out” have more than enough zip to have you nodding your head; it feels entirely too easy when the group switches from the sorrowful chorus to the burning discothèque bridge.

The anthems don’t stop coming, whether it’s the angelic “Running” or spicy “Holiday,” the band never lets off the pedal. Most remarkable, no moment feels cheesy or gimmicky (at least not past a pleasurable level), and the refined “Social Studies” shows a band ready to do things. It’s more than enough to warrant Passion Pit keeping an eye on their backs, as the student — who actually helped produce some of the tracks offs “Manners” — seems primed to surpass its teacher.

 
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