Media

The Whitest Boy Alive: "1517" (MP3)

8:20 p.m. · February 23, 2009 · by Matthew Richardson

Erlend Øye's project The Whitest Boy Alive started out with electronic intentions, but then toned it down to acoustic aspirations, which is a little disappointing to hear. However, it's certainly heartening to tracks like "1517" that remind us that you don't need a laptop and a synthesizer to make the kids want to dance. The Whitest Boy Alive build a pretty stable groove off of one guitar riff (yes, that has a passing resemblance to "Harder, Better, Faster") and Erlend Øye's same voice from Kings of Convenience, except with strut here instead of sadness there. The Whitest Boy Alive's forthcoming release, Rules, is due out March 3. [20jazzfunkgreats]