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November 05, 2007
From the Bunkers of Portland, Oregon
Though we at MS consider ourselves to be stunningly hip and ahead of the curve in all matters musical, we're never really going to be "first" with anything we post. We're just not. It takes us too long to write our little treatises, and there are too many other buzzing internet outlets with deeper access, quicker fingers, or less painstaking care that will always trump us. No matter how obscure we get, the rock we found the track under probably has at least a MySpace page and some Digg recommendations. We've made peace with this, and soldiered on defiantly. Today however, I add the extremely limited caveat that when a close personal friend of mine records some music of note and e-mails it to me directly, you can be reasonably certain that I will, in fact, bring it to you first.
John Motley is my old pal from high school in the suburban whatever of So-lame, Boredagain (aka Salem, OR). He's now a fellow music scribe, having contributed to Pitchfork, Prefix, Under the Radar, and the Portland Mercury among others. Many a summer night was spent with Mr. Motley aimlessly crusing the back hills of our little berg, while intently krautrocking out. Though his previous musical projects have run the gamut from amusingly ridiculous to sincerely rad, the entity known as Die Regenbogend Jugend ( the Rainbow Youth) is the first time he's really put his motorik where his mouth is. DRJ is the collaborative effort of John and his lady love, Ms. Karyn Lynn Fisette. They are also the sixth band beginning in "die" on my iPod. While you can cynically claim friendship as the true motive for the posting of their new single "Frosted Cupcake," I stand firm by my guarantee that papa don't post no mess.
Die Regenbogen Jugend - "Frosted Cupcake"
"Frosted Cupcake" exists in an alternate universe where Germans are whimsical enough to enjoy colorfully decorated treats. It's also quite a pleasurable and evocative little phrase, especially when carefully enunciated over decadent synth lines and given a cushion of ethereal background "oooh"s. John and Karyn Lynn have a nice little call und response working here. He asks the baked good centered questions in English, she obstinately replies with chilly Deutsch spoken word. Occasionally the drum pattern gives way to some serious, serious hand claps. If up until the two minute mark the proceedings have been both quite good and more than a little goofy, the instrumental bridge starting at 2:10 gives you the groove with no tongue in cheek. In come the cosmic Kraftwerk synth swells. Enter artificial handclaps like some Neon god dancing to "Day Man" (here @ 0:48). The verbal dessert devotion returns, as does another round of living, breathing clappers to bring us to the finish. By then, they're just sugar based color paint for the single serving cake-like treat.
For now, you cannot purchase the music of Die Regenbogen Jugend, it can only be given to you. However, you too can be John's dear friend from high school (on MySpace). Go here for more multi-hued Germanity.
Posted by Jeff Klingman at November 5, 2007 03:40 PM
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Comments
first!
Posted by: Sebastian at November 5, 2007 03:52 PM
Some of the elements from Mr. Motley's first band, The Participants, come through on this DRJ track. I especially enjoy his haunting Pet Sounds meets Gregorian chants.
Posted by: Ryan Leverenz at November 5, 2007 05:20 PM
DRJ ist der bereifte kleine Kuchen meiner Seele!
köstlich!
Posted by: east coast fans at November 19, 2007 05:43 PM
