The School are a band who will not appeal to all of my readers – they certainly won’t do anything for those of you who like your pop (in the words of Amy Studt) shiny and perfect. But for those who like a DIY attitude with their catchy melodies, The School are a very interesting proposition indeed. I first heard of them a few weeks ago via Twitter (they are @theschoolband) and quickly purchased their debut album, Loveless Unbeliever, a collection of adorably sweet retro-pop songs in the vein of Camera Obscura and Belle and Sebastian. Many of the highlights are on their MySpace.
On Monday I went to see them live supporting another indie-pop favourite, The Pipettes, at The Lexington in London. On stage The School appear to be a random bunch of 20-something chums who decided to put a band together. The ‘motley crew’ effect is endearing, but sadly the singers’ vocals still need quite a lot of work. With this type of music the line of tuneful and tuneless vocals is often paid little regard, but on some of the songs The School performed at Monday’s gig, they stayed firmly on the tuneless side. Still, when they did more closely replicate the sound of the recorded versions, I remembered once again why I was a fan.
Although The School are certainly not likely to be reaching no.1 (or probably even no.100) any time soon, there is a fair bit of buzz about the band in the appropriate circles. On the basis of their music it’s deserved, but maybe not quite yet on the performance side.
I recently got into The School! Amazing. May I recommend Lucky Soul (Lips Are Unhappy is an excellent starting point) as similar indie-pop that is more focused on the pop part than the indie part.
I recently got into The School! Amazing. May I recommend Lucky Soul (Lips Are Unhappy is an excellent starting point) as similar indie-pop that is more focused on the pop part than the indie part.
So disappointing when a band aren’t up to scratch live, but it’s early days and I do like their recorded sound 🙂 Thanks for the tip. How were the pipettes?!
So disappointing when a band aren't up to scratch live, but it's early days and I do like their recorded sound 🙂 Thanks for the tip. How were the pipettes?!
Hanzan – I do know of Lucky Sould but there’s something missing with them for me, I definitely prefer The School.
Paul – The Pipettes were pretty good, but it’s sad to see them as a duo now, just doesn’t feel the same. They’ve lost the momentum they had a few years ago when they were going off to America and had a big UK following.
Hanzan – I do know of Lucky Sould but there's something missing with them for me, I definitely prefer The School.
Paul – The Pipettes were pretty good, but it's sad to see them as a duo now, just doesn't feel the same. They've lost the momentum they had a few years ago when they were going off to America and had a big UK following.
hi jessica, lovely to see the school on your blog – and thanks for the honest live review. i haven’t seen them live yet, but i guess i’ll still give them a try 🙂 do you know la casa azul, a spanish band that is also on elefant? might be someting you enjoy.
here’s one of their early videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLs8R9Zk-yA
– though they are in fact not a proper band, but just one person who hides behind these amazing looking group. he went on to perform on his own now and lay the group at rest (not so shy anymore i guess) which you can see here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKvrSNqRqEE&feature=related
probably my favourite band ever.
love from germany 🙂
hi jessica, lovely to see the school on your blog – and thanks for the honest live review. i haven't seen them live yet, but i guess i'll still give them a try 🙂 do you know la casa azul, a spanish band that is also on elefant? might be someting you enjoy.
here's one of their early videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLs8R9Zk-yA
– though they are in fact not a proper band, but just one person who hides behind these amazing looking group. he went on to perform on his own now and lay the group at rest (not so shy anymore i guess) which you can see here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKvrSNqRqEE&feature=related
probably my favourite band ever.
love from germany 🙂