Welcome to another edition of Track Marks, where your Idolators perform an autopsy on the latest MP3-blog sensation.
Artist: 120 Days
Hometown: Kristiansund, Norway
Album: 120 Days (Vice)
First online mention (according to searches on The Hype Machine and Elbo.ws): Even though these Norwegian rockers got some blogger love a few years back (when they were called the Beautiful People), the first 120 Days nod was an August 9th reference on for the eardrums.
The Build-Up: A slow response at first, but September found the band popping up a new site every few days, including Bhlogiston, Crackers United, and Largehearted Boy. In late September, Vice Records’ MP3 blog hosted a copy of Lansing-Dreiden’s remix of ” Come Out (Come Down, Fade Out, Be Gone),” which soond found itself on elbo.ws’ Top 25 ranking.
The Dam-Break: Last week’s enthusiastic write-up in the Village Voice’s “Status Ain’t Hood” column.
Odds of Backlash: 8-1. How could anyone be mean to them? They look so sad and Scandinavian!
Are They Worthy?: Though they might overreach a bit–not every song has to be written for a laser show, guys–but your Idolators love old-school urgent British post-punk and old Neu! albums, so we’re in. That said, they may want to trim back the fat a bit; with two songs that hover around the ten-minute mark, 120 Days may start writing songs that actually last 120 Days.
120 Days - Come Out (Come Down, Fade Out, Be Gone) [MP3, link expired]
120 Days - Be Mine [MP3, link expired]
120 Dayse [MySpace]
Their “Come Out” track really reminds me of one from Alan Parson’s Project’s Instrumental Works album– the track “Where’s the Walrus”. I think that may show my age, but I think both are pretty cool tunes.
They look like they’re posing in the set of that old D*A*D video with the guy who played a one-string bass.
I’m really loving how the dude on the right used eyeliner to give himself crows’ feet.