The Drums (self-titled)
LABEL: Moshi Moshi Records

Maintaining an authentic sound in 2010 hasn’t been an easy feat in a year that has produced a slew of fizzling novelty genres like glo-fi and chillwave. Additionally, the whole independent music scene has been steeped in hubris with the soft drink franchise, Mountain Dew, emerging as a legitimate record label, backing one of the best singles of the year and shockingly, Nathan Williams’ most accessible song to date, “Post-Acid.”

“The Drums make me feel like it’s possible for my basement dwelling self to casually pick up surfing, even in Ontario.”

Unfortunately, The Drums and their debut self-titled LP courtesy of Moshi Moshi have become a bit lost in the shuffle of the blogosphere, often being passed up in favour of more buzzworthy beach combers, Best Coast and Wavves. While listening to Best Coast makes me want to wear Converse and talk about boys for the first time in my life, The Drums make me feel like it’s possible for my basement dwelling self to casually pick up surfing, even in Ontario.

After being blown away last year by The Drums’ near perfect EP, Summertime!, whilst there was still snow on the ground, I was eager to enjoy what I hoped would be a continuation of their infectious beach pop gems in a more appropriate climate when their full-length dropped in June. However, my first run through of the eponymous release occurred on an overcast day inside an SUV owned by a friend’s grandparents as we drove around the suburbs without even a single window rolled down.

If Ian Curtis had been less fond of his aristocratic pallor and perhaps immigrated to some sunny locale in America, his necktie party on the eve of Joy Division’s pending North American tour may never have occurred and he probably would have went on to write a record similar to this. The Drums kicks off with “Best Friend,” a song that begins with rhythmic panting, a head bopping beat and the unexpected lyrics, “You were my best friend/But then you died/When I was 23 and you were 25” which feels more apropos coming from some teary-eyed girl clutching a boombox at a wake/bonfire combo platter rather than what you’d want soundtracking your sandcastle building contest.

The only real letdown on this otherwise solid debut is that the two standout tracks are re-used and recycled from the Summertime! EP, the cutesy, hand jive worthy “Let’s Go Surfing” and the sappy 50s throwback, “Down By The Water,” both of which are delivered in singer Jonathan Pierce’s trademark breathy croon.

Ultimately, while this record is ideal for crying yourself to sleep after your summer fling skips town to return to college, The Drums needs a bit more time to marinate before it’ll be ripe enough for mass consumption by fall.


REVIEWED BY MICHELLE McGLYNN
MICHELLE'S FAVE TRACKS: “Let’s Go Surfing” • “Forever and Ever Amen” • “Book of Stories”


MP3: “Let’s Go Surfing” The Raveonettes remix (right-click & save)



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