"Music's for the ears, not for feeling our young flesh," declared Cajun Dance Party singer Daniel Blumberg - somewhat bafflingly - when an interviewer made reference to his band's precocity recently. It's not just soundbites like this that suggest he's overly fond of his own voice though. No, CDP's debut album provides further, ample proof of that.
Seeing as we're not supposed to talk about it, we won't offer his age as an excuse for the indulgent nature of his vocal performance on much of The Colourful Life. Instead, we'll question why anybody would go so far out of their way to sound like The Kooks' Luke Pritchard.
From the record's very first chorus ("So pick up the pace / And enjoy the race / Because nothingness is nice / And feel the dance / And feel the mood / While you're munching on that slice"), his words are delivered with the same kind of exceedingly well-mannered, self-satisfied affectation that hampers Pritchard's band who - like Cajun Dance Party - actually have some really decent melodies in place but possess an eminently punchable singer.
Similarly, he might well be a nice young man in person but on record Blumberg's persona just grates. "You're the catalyst that makes things faster / Amylase will dry off the plaster" he sings on previous single 'Amylase', a decent little indie-pop ditty, but why does he have to be so damn earnest?
'The Race' befalls a similar fate, as naive as it is 'Naive', hampered by keening, preening, foppish faux-sincerity. Even their best song, 'The Next Untouchable', soon grows tiresome, and if 'No Joanna' is intended as a tender, plaintive ballad it sure as hell doesn't deliver on account of Blumberg's sledgehammer-subtle delivery.
It's not a class thing, either: for sure, he sounds like the kind of boy who knows his way around a cheeseboard, and may indeed have friends called things like Tarquin and Sebastian, but it's the complete lack of soul in his voice that irritates rather than the idea that his parents' bank balance extends to several figures.
Annoying music is bad music, regardless of origin. The Enemy, say, aren't risible because they've graduated from the Coventry school of working class hard knocks, it's purely because their music sucks balls. And the fact their singer looks like a rat. Ditto The Courteeners. Middle-class kids pretending to be oiks? Not a problem. Second-rate Libertines cast-offs talked up as "the best album since Arctic Monkeys' first"? There's the line, Fray, you've crossed it.
This isn't a character assassination (honest), more an explanation why an album that's actually pretty accomplished, musically, should, in the end, prove so forgettable. Even though guitarist Robbie Stern's classical training has been put to good use with some of these arrangements ('Time Falls', 'The Hill, The View & The Lights' two particularly impressive examples), all too rarely are other band members allowed to shine.
The latter, indeed, is superb for its opening minute and forty seconds as keyboard player Vicky Freund sings delicate lead vocals over swooning melodies; it's ambitious, widescreen pop, like Mystery Jets stoking an (amusement) Arcade Fire - the sort of direction we hope they might pursue in the future, but for now we'll be giving both Cajun Dance Party's young flesh and their music a stoically wide berth.
well said.
completely forgettable album. no wonder they're releasing two in one year. lets hope their second sounds completely different.
2x5=10
Yeah, I wasn't really convinced the hype was worth it when I heard this either. If the 2nd is like this too, at least they'll be able to say they got 10 points on DiS..!
that's a shame
i had quite high hopes for them
It is entirely the singers fault though.
I seriously hate this album but that guitarist really is something. But the singer is just a joke, the way he acts on stage too- so disappointing. Not that I really care, but disappointing for the talented guitarist at least.
good review
they are very middle-class. fact. i think bombay bicycle club and them come from the same posh school. posh bastards. need some good working-class tunes.
they are very average and forgettable.
yes but frYars went there too.
and he is truly the shizzle.
i
second that. love frYars, especially The Ides.
"need some good working-class tunes"
Yeah, living a lie is much better I find.
I hope all the 'posh' talk is a joke, otherwise you really are a twat.
^It's Tom Clarke!
Hey - at least there's no songs about castles!
:D
good working-class tunes?
wow...you clearly know lots about music. what on earth do you mean??
I really liked the Demos
and the singles were pretty good too, but this album is really bad. Biggest dissapointment of the year.
Actually
this is probably the first piece of bad press that Cajun Dance Party have ever had! At last, a little bit of reality.
*applause*
Exactly, they're pants. Cynical sounding little twat-faces. Can't believe Thom Yorke likes 'em.
yes, I was going to ask
i thought that mebbe there were two CJPs?
One who were amazing
and the one I keep hearing
ah but they're only 9
SO FUCKING WHAT
harrumph
Don't forget...
Cajun Dance Party have only just finised their A-Levels so they're still relatively young and allowed to make mistakes, surely?
Give them room to develop instead of instantly blasting them.
room to develop is fine
but
alas
they are doing it on the spotlight
thus blowing their chances
14 minutes and 42 seconds
there is 18s left
if they use it super sparingly
they just might....
nah
theyre fucked
Kooks?
Just a rubbish band. Liked one of the singles, but saw them live and had to leave after a few songs. Singer just wants to be the guy from the Kooks, which is nothing to aspire towards
Mr. Webb
This is perhaps the most vulgar and seemingly 'out to get you' personal attacks I have ever seen in a review.
You really should be ashamed of yourself, acting as if you have some sort of vendetta on a 18 year old boy, who I believe to be a very talented musician.
As for judging someone on their class and background - what original journalism you possess. As for stating 'it's not a class thing', and then going on to assume his social status in a weak attempt of wit really is some awfully hypocritical drivel.
As for being fond of one's own voice...if this isn't one of the most pompous and overly vitriolic review I have read - and just for the sake of beating down a talented 18 year old...if Mr. Blumberg is as dislikable as you make him out to be - you most certainly seem his music critic equivalent!
I do wonder how old Mr. Webb is and how much pent-up anger he has in his working-class, awfully bitter and probably jealousy filled heart...
Hehe, you must be Cajun Dance Party's mommy
Unfortunately, Robb is right. But don't worry mum I'm sure the NME kids will love them to death.
Hehe, you must be Rob's Boyfriend
I know Rob is right. The Guardian and Independent are most certainly wrong. Indeed the album may be very bad but the manner in which he expresses opinion is pretty poor, focusing far too much on an overly personal criticism.
I'm sure the NME will also write a personal scathing attack - it's in their style to hype up only to crush. Plus it's very good journalism may I add - very readable. Mr. Webb does possess this uncanny ability to identify the truth in music. Something a teenager myself without untrained ear, along with many other critics and music fans alike, cannot spot.
Haha, you are blatantly friends and/or related to a member of the band
seeing as you only registered in order to post on this thread.
Actually, from the utterly pretentious style in which you write, you may even be the singer.
If so: you are a cock.
Thanks xx
Ha, you are clearly a moron
Amusing that you think that only family and friends of a band are willing to stick up for them - they do have some other fans ...although from reading this it does seem hard to believe.
Seeing you want to be intrusive and pedantic about one's presence here - you have commented thrice in this thread, being a tautological cunt.
Oh my goodness
using words like "thrice" and "tautological" really really does not make you sound clever, it makes you sound like a cock. A cock. A cock.
Amazing
I hope that your reply was an attempt at irony.
Bless
you really got me there.
Oh dear me, I just realised that you said "one's", too. Oh dear oh dear. It probably impresses girls at least, you cute little faux-intellectual.
It's hard to deal with the disabled
Look up what tautological actually means and then realise why you are increasingly hilarious.
I read that you also dislike Laura Marling - do you just have an unremitting addiction to slagging off every single talented teenager our age? Then again the thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents (to quote Dali - an apt statement for much of this review and responses too).
Oh, and I'm no faux-intellectual, but the likelihood is I'm more intelligent than you.
Listen
it's really really obvious that you like both Morrissey and literature, you really don't need to write like that in order to prove it.
Laura Marling is phone advert music. Cajun Dance Party are awful. If you really do love language so much, then why are you defending a band with such hideous lyrics? Although no, you registered on this website with the sole intention of attacking apparent "bad journalism". The only bad journalism on this entire website, of course.
Or maybe you simply can't bare to see your little Way Out West friends attacked in such a way? Shocking, simply shocking.
Oh and it appears that I am correct!
Just look at the single, lonely comment, my friend. Could the blogger have been a "jealous rasclart", or could he have perhaps been expressing an entirely valid (and from where I am standing, correct) opinion?
http://itsthenewthing.wordpress.com/2007/04/19/cajun-dance-party/
I find it quite depressing that you feel the need to slag off every writer who DARES speak a work against your/your friends band. I think it may be crucial for your future if you attempt to deal with these emotions while you're still young, because oversensitivity is a serious condition which could hinder your adult life in years to come.
Perhaps this website could help: http://www.2knowmyself.com/emotional_sensitivity
I feel that the style of writing is right up your street.
Not really the type for petty argument but..
If you insist dearest Calum, here is what the talents and great fortune have brought yourself...
Here I found your amazing band...my gosh, the lyrics...just explain to me how do you do it?!
http://www.myspace.com/newvinyls
As for a great insight into what your band can produce, here's a lovely rendition of 'Twist and Shout' (yes, beautiful vocals and guitar work there Calum).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXOH19ee1vs
You must be pleased - a bit of advertising for you.
Jealousy really is a terrible thing. As is being nosy twat. I do apologise sincerely for stooping as low as you.
Yes, there we go
I am in a band, congrats, as you're so interested here is an excellent review we recently received on DIS: http://www.drownedinsound.com/event/view/34984
And I'm very glad you enjoyed our improvised, tongue in cheek rendition of Twist and Shout, it was fun to play.
And I also apologise for feeling angry enough to stoop as low as I did, but at least when I was slightly nosy it had a little bit of relevance to the argument.
Don't really know why I bother
I praise your band's efforts for achieving the status of a very poor man's Los Campesinos.
If you followed my argument you would realise my inquisitive behaviour stems from the fact that most people who feel duty to harshly criticise CDP tend to be envious non achievers. It must be ever so disappointing to see a group of teenagers your age, reach the brink of potential national fame, while your own withers away after continuous support slot performances wooing the occasional 16 year old Geordie.
I'm not saying Cajun are perfect, and admittedly some of their lyrics in their earlier works can be frowned upon. However, in my opinion, they are one of the best new bands about, with a great deal of potential - for every 'Colourful Life' or 'Amylase' (lyrically) there is a 'No Joanna' or 'The Hill, the View and the Lights'. Musically I think they are outstanding for their age and deserve all the future success that they will undoubtedly achieve.
However perhaps instead of Webb's harshly criticising a band based on the lead singer's very slight resemblance to Luke Pritchard and their social class, he should focus on the positives within the album - which is, in fact, an impressively ambitious debut both musically (in all places) and lyrically (in some places).
I wonder if Rob Webb once he had his own aspirations of being a successful and talented teenage band but instead turned out to be another 'New Vinyls'. Indeed I am a fan of Cajun, and I think for good reason. Mr. Webb writes poor, overly harsh reviews with little reason.
But good music journalism isn't about "focusing on the positives"
it's about giving the reader a simple opinion, surely? Although for what it's worth, I don't think that Rob Webbs review is particularly great. But I wouldn't like every review I read to mask the actual truth because the writer was so desperate to "focus on the positives".
I wouldn't say New Vinyls are non achievers, we're just a local band, like the thousands of other people on this forum who are in local bands- we will, like so many other bands, be splitting up later this year as we all go our separate ways to university. We don't take it THAT seriously- we're a band from a city which no-one cares about, especially musically, so I'm very proud at what we've done in our short lifespan. It's nice that CDP are doing so well and everything, I'm personally not dedicated enough to enjoy being in a band full time- we went on tour once- it was fun but I'd never do it again. So I'm not really jealous...
And we've achieved a very positive review on DIS, so it's 1-0 there, Cajuns.
1-1 darling
http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/1845640
But oh well...hopefully by the time they reach 20 it will be more like 10-1.
"A true critic ought rather to dwell upon excellences than imperfections, to discern the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation." Joseph Addison
That's why Rob Webb has done a rubbish job in this case. Attention seeking and envious I would think - that's why he writes for the NME.
7 out of 10...
...I'd say it was more "average" than a clear score. Haha.
Anyway, yes, I'm sure Cajun Dance Party will have lots of things about them on DIS, as they are signed to XL records and are a very popular band! Good for them and everything. To stay on topic, I don't think the review is attention seeking and envious, I think it's brutally honest. It sums up the thoughts which many people have on CDP, thought which have never been voiced before because of the UK (read=London) music press' adoration of CDP over the last year. I think it was quite a brave review to write, and it certainly seems that most people on here agree with it. Not that I'm criticising you for not agreeing- I can absolutely see what you dislike about the review. But what you dislike is what so many people like- one mans meat is another mans poison etc etc.
Anyway, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter, does it? I'm going to make myself a cup of tea, grab a book and a chocolate digestive and be off to bed.
it's a spot on review
when i saw them play the music was good(ish) and the guitarist clearly knows what he's doing, but the singer ruins it for me completely.
i met him too. he's a cunt.
erm..
rob is 24..if you look at this thing called a profile, it says it there...
aaand i liked Amylase, but it was all very.."kooksy"...(student, stoppy start, indie, pop-rock.....shit)
but i wont judge the album until i have downloaded it...illegally
Odd.
I was under the impression Mr. Vocal Kooks had established a side project.
absolutely awful review
but i do agree about the music
boring...
...boring boring band. they bored me to death when I saw them the first time. I can imagine how the whole album sounds.
stupid review
surely judging an album on whether someone is a wanker or not is a bit flawed? most frontmen are complete dicks; tom clarke, liam gallagher, bono... the list goes on. so surely the music itself is what counts. also judging music by class is pretty bigoted... after all, joe strummer was a posh boy, as was mick jagger. music is classless - if your talented it doesn't matter if your rich or poor.
haven't heard the album yet. probably wont.
what a disgustingly classist review (and response)!
i agree with jakoma, and i really do in sense that you may or may not be joking. and if you arent then you are a twat! are radiohead middle class....YES are coldplay middle class.....YES are the kinks middle class.....YES but here's the dirty little secret...i KNOW rob webb, and he's about as middle class as can get! and if it werent for lack of musical talent
or maybe just for need for journalist lust, he'd probably love to be doing the things that these 17yr olds have been given the chance to do! sometimes D.I.S. in aint ALL bout foals! this is a great honest album from very honest and inexperienced bunch! if there wasnt so much hype, youd think much more differently, and thats prob why they are releasing 2 albums in one year, to extinquish and eradicate the doubters, and to get to a stage of musical perfection that the math geek music fans cant possibly put down or ignore! regardless of the 'class' issue its a pretty good album! and maybe if had been put out on transgressive or dis records youd maybe have learnt to love it!
...
you've met me, like, twice Billy.
and what you and pretty much everybody else have missed is that it's made perfectly clear that I couldn't care less about CJP's background - just the fact their album is dull, dull, dull.
One and One and One makes Three
I liked The Next Untouchable. I guess that makes me a middle-class, posh-school graduate twat-face. And also, I can count, one and one and one makes three.
wankers
ok i just read this whole debate thing
and you're all FUCKING WRONG
do ANY of you have ears?
what the FUCK is wrong with you?
i have never met any of you and i already HATE YOU ALL (most of you), especialy ROB WEBB, CALUM and seven. if i ever meet you i'm going to punch you until your face bleeds
you're all such bastards! i can't beleive you can be so rude about someone
and have ANY of you ever met him? WHAT THE FUCK makes you able to say this about him.
and as for lyrics, you can't judge them until you've talked to the artist about what they mean. just because they mean nothing to you personally!
as for background, FUCK YOU. You all know that thats bollocks and you made it up
so basically, this review is BOLOOCKS. the band are fucking amazing and so is the album. And you are all BASTARDS for treating a stranger like this
and dont tell me i'm friends with the band, i'm not.
so stick the wombats back into your ears and shut the fuck up about music if you can't say anything that makes any sense.
(also, the beatles said one and one and one makes three. so fuck off viciouslips)
RIDICULOUS
They're shocking beyond belief!
There is such potential behind his voice, irrespective to whether he sounds like Luke 'CUNT TWAT HEAD' Pritchard, which pisses mee off EVEN MORE! He teases us with an inviting voice but complete bullshit words. Music is standard, no break through band here - just pure drizzled out Kooks and Mystery Jet juice gulped down.
They're a joke. They're a joke.
Checkout bands like Bombay Bicycle Club or BoxLogic - can't sing for shit! but lyrics goooood.
...
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BOMBAYBICYCLECLUB
WWW.MYSPACE.CMO/BOXLOGIC
fuck off
fuck you all then
fuck you all
i really like this album
its not challenging or groundbreaking, its nothing thast going to change the world but still, its a solid album and an enjoyable listen.
I don't think about 'class' when i hear it, i don't think, ohh i'd better like something more DiS so i can be cool, i mean christ, i still have BSB on my ipod so at house parties i can drop some 'backstreets back..alright!'
You're all sooo moody jeez