Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Beloved Binge - Blender Theory


Beloved Binge consists of Eleni Binge and Rob beloved, from Seattle originally, now they hail from North Carolina. They say that they are “Rubble pop rooted in a punk pot with a hint of old Greek mountain village uprising.” I dunno what they mean by most of that but to me they sound like the lead singers from the Squirrel Nut Zippers started a Punk Rock Duo.

For a certain type of person, the term “Punk Rock Duo” is as depressing as being told “we had seafood two nights ago and you have to take out the trash.” I know what they mean. The immediate image is yet another indie group using varied antiquated influences, giving them a modern spin, and putting together some kind of rudimentary, DIY stage show. Its not that I’m against Doing IY, its just that there's a lot of people out there, and the fact that you couldn’t get one of them to play bass for you indicates that you would rather jump through numerous technological, logistical, and sonic hurdles rather than have one. Or else you can’t think of a new way to use your varied antiquated influences in the context of a band with, you know, a full sound. In other words, being a punk rock duo indicates that you either have a huge ego, or a lack of songwriting ability, or both.

Except they are so often so very good. Cat Power, the White Stripes, Eye Whiteness, all very good punk rock duos. The level of artistic control implied by only two actors allows, I suppose, a more clarified artistic vision to emerge. It certainly makes the resulting compositions more streamlined, if not a little thin. And I definitely appreciate the need to have limitations to overcome in a songwriting process. Much as the structure of a sonnet can lead to exciting poetry, needing to spend time trying to figure out how to realize ideas in a live show, and add flesh to the drum n guitar bones of a song must be very interesting.

             Beloved Binge are pretty awesome. Like most PRDs they lack the buzz saw energy that I love in true punk, but the songs are energetic enough to keep a solid toe-tapping rhythm. Of hooks there are plenty, and the melodies are complex enough to be interesting and simple enough to avoid noodliness. The lyrics well constructed and interesting, running the usual indie band gamut from MySpace Weddings to how awesome being vegan is.* Oddly the male/ female vocals are not really harmonized, but it doesn’t bother me. It’s quite interesting actually. It gives both vocalists a clear and present voice, allowing each to deliver a slightly different message to the listener while still helping the composition of the song as a whole. There is a definite thinness in the sound without the bassist, but this is actually played up to great effect by the vocals, resulting in the Squirrel Nut Zipper effect I opened with.

            God help me I like their sound. They are a bit thin at times without the bassist, but the awesome composition, interesting rhythms, and fascinating vocal oddities make them a really killer unit. I would definitely check them out if you can. If you are looking for something new I would even say to go Amazon the album. A fascinating, really well done little number.




* ok see? Im not anti-vegan. I know I went off on The Smiths for like four pages but that is because Morrissey is an asshole and not because I have any special problem with vegans. I have lots of vegan friends. I lived with one for years. We’re totally cool, too, sometimes we hang out. And I’m cool with these guys, right? So, I’m ok right? No one is offended? I’ll donate money to the humane society or whatever. Just don’t ask me to donate to PETA, those guys kind of piss me off. OH GOD DON’T LEAVE I’M SORRY I WILL CUT OFF MY COCK AND SEND IT TO PAUL MCARTNEY** JUST DON’T BE MAD AT ME.

 **i will not send my severed penis to Morrissey. If that fucker wants a peice he knows where i live.

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