The Phoenix Network:
 
 
About  |  Advertise
Adult  |  Moonsigns  |  Band Guide  |  Blogs  |  In Pictures
 
 Explore Boston Phoenix coverage of SXSW Music Festival

[sxsw video] Hooray for Earth, an evolution



Pitchfork might think that Hooray For Earth is a new band (kind of like how pop culture received that rad new band Modest Mouse with their new hit single “Float On” in 2004), but I (and most people in Boston music, I think) have followed them for upwards of five years (even longer for those that knew them as Raymond). After the first time I heard the song “Warm Out” from their Cellphone EP, I had that rare moment of clarity which I associate with a song I’m sure will stand the test of time. Frontman Noel Heroux had that classic slacker-rock slur that caused me to fall in love with Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. and the guitar work, both piercing and sludgy, moped around with the aimless desperation of a My Bloody Valentine track.

Their new songs are less of a departure and more a re-structuring of the mix. The drop-tuned guitar work is still present, which is abundantly clear live, but it’s lowered in the mix to give the synth work more room to live. The lead song from last year’s Momo EP, “Surrounded by Your Friends” is led by a buoyant and fuzzed-out synth lead which allows Heroux’s sing-songy melody to float in, out and around the song. Guitar is almost completely lacking, but that doesn’t make the song any lighter. Heroux allows the hooks to carry the emotion and for every drop-tuned guitar dive missing from the newer material, he gives us the equivalent emotive tug from an out-of-context guitar squeal or a totally blase, happy-sad melody. And when he teams with the girls from Zambri, like in the above video, it’s like getting the Cocteau Twins on backup. Total fucking nerdgasm.

Momo EP and their forthcoming LP are an evolution more than a change. Hooray for Earth didn’t trade in their guitars for synths, they just discovered new ways to convey the same idea. And it works.

| More

Leave a Comment

Login | Not a member yet? Click here to Join

(required)  
(optional)
(required)  
 Friends' Activity   Popular   Most Viewed 
All Blogs
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Articles

Boston Phoenix
[sxsw video] Hooray for Earth, an evolution.
Published 3/19/2011 by P. Nick Curran
Pitchfork might think that Hooray For Earth is a new band (kind of like how pop culture received that rad new band Modest Mouse with...

Wild Flag photo by Kelly Davidson
Boston Phoenix
The good, the bad, and the indie: Boston may have broken Austin at this year's SXSW
Published 3/19/2011 by MICHAEL MAROTTA
South by South Wasted

more by P. Nick Curran
[sxsw video] Hooray for Earth, an evolution. | March 19, 2011
[sxsw video] We're in it for the lulz | March 19, 2011
[crazy art] Lovesick Cafe @ Orchard Skate Shop | March 04, 2011
Going under the skin with punk trio Doomstar | February 11, 2011
[video] Earthquake Party! live from the archive | February 08, 2011

 See all articles by: P. Nick Curran

Follow the Phoenix
  • newsletter
  • twitter
  • facebook
  • youtube
  • rss
OTD Categories
Out
VIDEO: Arctic Monkeys at the House of Blues
Rare Frequencies
Rare Frequencies: Trouble and treble
Playlists
Lady Lee's Lion's Den Playlist
MP3 of the Week
HOMEWORK: Assignment #2: D-Tension
Hot Tix
Ticket On-Sale Alert: Muse, Mariah Carey, Black Eyed...
Latest Comments
Having sex in Fable 3 – and the trouble with love - Yes this was very well written and really funny haha. I can relate to your boyfriend though. Ill probably...

By Keith on 03-23-2011 in Laser Orgy

The Big Love Series Finale: What a Stinker! - I was disappointed with the ending because Bill had realized that "Faith comes from love, not the...

By Genevieve on 03-23-2011 in Phlog

The Big Love Series Finale: What a Stinker! - I agree with all of your comments PhillySpecial. Well said. In my opinion the ending would have been...

By izaroo on 03-22-2011 in Phlog

The Big Love Series Finale: What a Stinker! - Yes, please leave the "legitimate criticism" to the big guns, because your review is an epic...

By FeministFury on 03-22-2011 in Phlog

Oh, the Madness!: The thrifty gambler's guide to betting on college basketball this year - Loved the article on March Madness. Like your style of writing.

By Janet Bates on 03-22-2011 in Phlog

Latest Comments from On The Download
Most Viewed
Mr. Awesome
Phoenix book reviews in Powell's
Ticket on-sale alert: Bruno Mars & Janelle Monáe, Airborne Toxic Event, TV on the Radio, Sarah Vowell, and more
Soundclouded: Listen to Every Number One Pop Song from 1956 to 2011
MP3 of the Week: Damon & Naomi "Walking Backwards"
[phlipcam video] Behind the scenes at Banditas' Sleepover Shows session
[phlipcam video] Bearstronaut @ Great Scott
Most Viewed from On The Download
Search Blogs
 
Links
Bradley’s Almanac - Lower Allston blogging and bootlegging since 2001
Band in Boston -
Basstown -
Wayne&Wax -
Aurgasm -
Onward Charles -
Compound 440r -
Anti-Gravity Bunny -
Clicky Clicky -
Soul Clap -
Lemmingtrail -
WMBR -
WFNX -
Beginning To See the Light -
Jump the Turnstyle -
Heads Up Boston -
Loaded Gun -
Enough Cowbell -
Vanyaland -
Ryan's Smashing Life -
On The Download Archives
Thursday, March 24, 2011  |  Sign In  |  Register
 
TODAY'S FEATURED ADVERTISERS
thePhoenix.com
Phoenix Media/Communications Group
Copyright © 2011 The Phoenix Media/Communications Group