Harlem Shakes want this weekend to be about Strictly Game /// The Burning Ear

make a little money, take a lot of shit, feel real bad, then get over it

With its weirdo-distortion, trotting drums, and the cruising “Ooohs,” the opening of “Strictly Game” is hard to pin down. The drum machine beat that kicks in doesn’t help. Luckily the confusion doesn’t last long as all but the drums cut out with the incoming vocals. Now we’ve got a jam. It almost feels like there should be hand-claps. I recommend toe-taps as a worthy substitute. Brooklyn’s Harlem Shakes (named after the dance move) released their Burning Birthday’s EP in 2007 and generated a lot of buzz with their energetic/spastic live shows. 2009 sees the release of their first full LP, Technicolor Health, and it more than lives up. I never really fell for the EP but I have been playing this one for a week straight. If the major tuneage isn’t enough, get it cause they name-drop Poughkeepsie (holler!) on “Niagara Falls.” Oh, and the guitarist, Todd, is the fantastic one-man side project Arms. Get on that too. I know, it’s a lot. But it’s the weekend so it’s all good, yo. Here is one from the EP to comfort you.

Harlem Shakes – Red Right Hands

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