In
Summer '04, immediately after taping their Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
episode, the Pelicans entered a lower Manhattan recording studio to lay
down basic tracks for another 6 song EP, the explosive Dangerous Love.
Like its over-the-top, bombastic and hilarious title, the record turned
out to be an ambitious work of the most catchy pop songs yet penned by singer
and frontman Ari Vais - which is saying a lot.
Pelicans drummer Art Tavee, a multi-instrumentalist protégée
renaissance man of sorts, took it upon himself to arrange, produce, mix
and master Dangerous Love, to impressive results.
The 17 minutes of music feels like a relationship or a journey, and begs
repeated listens. "Summer Jingle", co-written by Anthony Westcott
from Rub Wrongways label mates School for the Dead, is as infectious as
can be, with a psychedelic chorus reminiscent of some of Brian Wilson's
best work, delivered through a Weezer inspired fuzz and encapsulated by
swirling harmonies.
"Friday Night" is an uptempo blast of post-punk glory that reminds one both of early Who, as well as the Pixies. "We Just Don't Get Along", with its mournful french horn, is a classic ballad that very much feels as though you have heard it many times before. "Burnout" is a gritty, aggressive and yet fatalistic anti-anthem, "Waiting for the Moon" features gorgeous Kinks-like melodies and wistful pennywhistle as well as a psychedelic noise solo, while "(Hey Hey) We're The Snipers" is a masterpiece that marries Flipper-like sludge with the weirdo soaring prettiness of the Flaming Lips.
Vais's voice has never sounded better and Art Tavee's production could not be more graceful and massive. Enjoy "Dangerous Love" and keep your eye peeled for the Pelicans music video for "Summer Jingle", shot recently by Dylan Kidd, award-winning film maker who brought you "Roger Dodger" and "PS"."
Track
Listing:
Summer Jingle - FREE
MP3
Friday Night
Waiting for the Moon
We Just Don't Get Along
Burnout - FREE MP3
(Hey Hey) We're the Snipers
Credits:
Produced
by Art Tavee
Recorded and Engineered by Shacher Gilad at Track 9 Studios, NYC.
Mixed and Mastered by Shacher Gilad at Bedbug Studios, NYC.
Songs written by Vais; Vais-Kennedy; Vais-Kenndey-Westcott