It's been awhile since I first downloaded this album, but I still listen to it quite a bit. That's impressive considering how much I listened to it when I first bought it. It's just not getting old. (Hopefully I'll be able to say that for the new album as well.)
I hate to be the lone voice of dissent, but I was disappointed in this disc. The members of Modern Skirts are fine musicians with a strong sense of melody. However, their disk is far too sterile and polished for my liking. There is no edge to it. No bite. eMusic labels them as alternative. For me, they sound much more like AOR.
With the release of this album in August of 2005 and subsequent coverage in Paste Magazine in January of the next year, Modern Skirts established a solid footprint in the Athens music scene. Anyone who I've talked to about music since then knows how I feel about this disc. Modern Skirts have brought new life and interest into a music scene that once spawned the likes of the B-52s, Indigo Girls, and, of course, REM. Their piano and guitar driven indie-pop bring to mind the works of They Might Be Giants and Ben Folds, although by the end of the disc you could swear that you can hear Michael Stipe in that mix of harmonies somewhere. Throughout the disc, the Skirts' instrumental prowess blends flawlessly with lyrics that are at the same time playful and poignant. If you get the chance to see them live, you'll see the Skirts put even more energy into these songs.
their uptempo, piano-driven stuff exceeds that of just about everyone else. also, spot-on vocals live.
I must admit the name caught my eye and then reading the other reviews. I just downloaded My Lost Soprano and loved it. Then went w/ NY Song loved it too. Now, I downloading everything and finding their website and asking for more. Thanks for the recs.
This album is simply some of the finest music available. Melodic, Dynamic, and Modern... This is a must have. Their sound is bright and crisp. This will be the most played band on your MP3 player. 1 listen, and your hooked, 10 listens and your addicted. Already, looking for their new album... some day... we can hope. Outstanding!
As of this writing, there are a few "musts" on eMusic (New Pornographers, Decemberists, and this!). Solid album all the way through. Reminds me a bit of Trip Shakespeare. If you are unsure, download "Tonight, Before you were sleeping", listen to it once, then download all, and you won't be sorry!
I saw Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright touring together, and this album sounds like what would have happened if they smushed both sets into one act. Not quite as "Cabaret" as Rufus, but a little more "Musical Theater" than Ben. N.Y. Song, Seventeen Dirty Magazines, and My Lost Soprano are the most accessible; the whole album is a good pick, though.
Eminently listenable all the way through. But really, NY Song is a stop-reading-this-and-download-it-now experience. Maybe not on the firsy go round, however, by the second or third showing an addiction forms and the song must continue playing. Move on to other gems such as Pasadena or play the album straight.
