Calvin Harris – party hardy you wankers

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Calivn's head

I’ll start this post by first expressing my thoughts on the multitude of electronic acts that exist today. First there is the comparison to the punk era. Why do I feel I can compare this era with today’s electronica era, because a majority of the artists making music back then couldn’t really play their instruments and didn’t really know how to write a song. Yet, they stood up there, with guitar in hand and the knowledge of maybe 3 or 4 chords and would scream and yell in to the mic blurting the same line one after another.

Now take today’s electronic scene. You’ve got a lot of kids, tinkering with computer based programs that allow you to mix beats, keyboards and some other cool sounds but in the end, don’t really know what they’re doing. They just know it feels good and to them, it sounds good. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to make a lot of the music that is out there today. This of course, bugs the heck out of the truly talented electronic artists who take offense to the iPod mixing, button pushing song makers.

But as with the Punk era, today’s revolution has their hero’s and own following. And just like the Punk scene, eventually these low budget hero’s turn in to talented maestros.

Which brings me to Calvin Harris. I got my hands on Calvin’s up and coming album, I Created Disco, a couple weeks back. When I first popped it on, there is no question my feet and head were in motion. It has simple lyrics and keyboard riffs layed over simple bass and drum beats. A monkey could dance to this stuff. But while the music may seem simple, there is no denying his cheeky appeal and catchy sound.

His songs are not mind blowing but his delivery is exceptional.

Take the track “Acceptable in the 80′s”. First, the title alone is genius. Second, for the first minute we’re hammered with an electronic drum beat, synth riff and a simple bass line. Then, after a minute some high tweaked keyboard sounding riff, something out of a strange 1970′s musical skit from Sesame Street, joins the noise. And finally, our first vocal – “It was acceptable in the 80′s. It was acceptable at the time.” This repeats and then our next phrase, “I got love for you if you were born in the 80′s”. He changes this line up by simply adding, ” I got hugs” instead of “I got love” and so on. Then back to the first verse. All while the original riffs are playing in the background. There really is no chorus, or perhaps the “acceptable” verse is the chorus but nothing really defined here. Yet, I’m still dancing and listening and grooving.

Call me easily moved or persuaded, but I’m a follower of the new revolution. Hey, I also turn on classical from time to time and even like to listen to the old countries traditionals – “Men of Harlech” for example (yeah, that’s right, I’m Welsh).

Watch the video to “Merrymaking At My Place” below, which started the idea for a huge Day of Partying in the UK on August 18th. Lots of press on this both in the UK and over here (ABC Online).