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]
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.
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.