KristeenYoung* has teamed up with Fall Out Boy mutton chop master Patrick Stump for the dramatic duet “That’s What It Takes, Dear.” Under the supervision of the super-awesome Tony Visconti, “Dear” rumbles and thunders its way over spiky pianos and low synths to its going-for-it conclusion. It’s rather minimalist in arrangement, but big-sounding, which ain’t easy. I hate to pigeonhole, but there’s definitely a mid-period Tori Amos vibe here which is undeniable, particularly in its rhythmic construction. I don’t consider this a bad thing at all, and I’ve got nothing against melodrama, particularly in music that might have an outside shot at going mainstream. Young sounds like she feels it, and Stump, with some smooth walkdowns, is a nice foil. In a world of Vivian Girls and Coathangers, I like to hear people that sound like they give two craps. I approve. I’m also rooting for Patrick Stump, who seems an affable fellow and provides a welcome counterbalance to the the garish pretty boys of Alternative Press covers.
KristeenYoung feat. Patrick Stump - That’s What It Takes, Dear [MP3, link expired]
* The press release annoyingly insists that she is also a band, referring to KristeenYoung as “they” and “them” even though we all know who really wears the pants in the “band.”
yeah i hear more kate bush too, but sometimes i can’t tell the difference between her and amos anyways.
so it’s cool to like patrick stump now? where have i been? there’s something about his voice that just irritates me. i can’t get past it. his singing was definitely more tolerable on this song though.
as for the music, i like it quite a bit.
I love this song - “Life’s been cold dear, so I’ve grown a concrete coat….I don’t need your march for the dead of hearts…I don’t need your hug of war” Brilliant.
the name of the band is actually KRISTEENYOUNG. all in caps. the members of the band are Kristeen Young and a drummer, whose name escapes me at the moment. she/it was the one kicked off morrissey’s tour for saying he ‘gave good head.’
this song reminds me of the dresden dolls. KY’s been doing stuff similar to this since the 1990s and she lived in st. louis. she famously appeared on the cover of the alt-weekly here with some pubic hair peeking out.
I love this.
Tori Amos-y? I guess. This sounds more like it comes from the planet where Steve Reich and Kate Bush are megasuperstars. Which is pretty rad, actually.
Pants made out of Bunny Bread wrap. I may be getting old and pretentious, but that’s the first thing I’ve ever enjoyed by her.
@the rich girls are weeping: I hear some of the “plugged-in” Tori Amos From The Choirgirl Hotel on it.
@hndinglove: Yeah, see KRISTEENYOUNG is even more annoying.
i dunno what to say about this song…on the one hand i like patrick’s voice (i love it!) but on the other the 2 voices don’t fit together, pretty weird, i prefer the songs with the band =) anyway i don’t know kristeen young (who’s that?)
Kristeen Young is…. if I can quote someone that is usually right about most things:
Morrissey: “Do you remember an ancient notion of how good the very best should be? This is Kristeen Young. She uses her keyboard as a highly trained Nazi might use an electronic rod for shocking the parts - the hands moving so fast that whether they actually move at all is an ongoing debate. The voice is a beautiful bayonet, and the life swills out in song - ‘Strangle Bowie with his neckerchief,’ she sings in Kill The Father - but with a heart big enough to trot horses on.” (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.myspace.com/kristeenyoung
OH, and the drummer’s name is Jef “Baby” White.