Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Makeshift Gentlemen, the Noise FM, and Rhyme or Reason

We live in a world where music has become a massive money making industry. Artists are constantly trying to find a balance between making something commercial and making something artistic. Indie pop has found a good balance between these two goals, making dance rock music that is fun to listen to while also providing music that is artistically sound.

The Makeshift Gentlemen, the Nosie FM, and Rhyme or Reason played at Cicero’s on the 3rd of July and they provided a dance party for everyone there. Rhyme or Reason kicked off the night with their funky sound and a whole lot of energy. The band is heavily keyboard bass and their sound almost has a jazz like influence, but with an electronic dance core. Lead vocalist Andrew Stephen plays both the guitar and the keyboards and has the kind of personality that is instantly connecting. His major skill is on the keyboards as he manages to jump, dance, and sing all at the same time. The highlight of the night was a medley of Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger and Around the World Daft Punk cover that Rhyme or Reason ended the night with.

The Noise FM come to Saint Louis from Lawrence, Kansas to bring us there style of indie pop. The trio, including two brothers Alex and Austin Ward, definitely play the kind of music that could easily become popular. They are much darker then their predecessors Rhyme or Reason but without forfeiting the energy that makes them so fun to listen to. The two also have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with their cat, Mr. Budget whose picture is always watching over the merch table. You can also follow Mr. Budget on twitter.

The Makeshift Gentlemen were the headliners of the night, and they sound as if Franz Ferdinand decided to get a synthesizer. They are loud, fun, and their sound is as catchy as it gets. Looking a bit crammed on the stage with all their members on the front of the stage, the Makeshift Gentlemen attempt to create pop music that is both original, but also accessible to their audience. They played a cover of Jet’s ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’ which is definitely the type of song that their own repertoire provides.

Key Tracks: “Life in the Hatch” by the Noise FM (for those Lost fans out there)

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