German Art Students
79 AD 7”
Autobahn | CDBaby
Easily my favorite band from Wisconsin, the GAS provide pure pop for scholars and gentlemen, and despite having some ridiculously passé subject matter, have been able to rock out for years a la the court jester without actually playing the fool.
“Reginald on the High Bike” is indeed a tune about the adventures of the mustachioed Reginald and his, you know – that-bicycle-with-the-huge-front-wheel. Annelies Howell’s vocals are of solid pop/rock quality (think Kim Warnick/Fastbacks perhaps), but it’s even more impressive that the lyrics are presented with genuine feeling for the content and character. It allows the band to be humorous without a wink and an elbow in the ribs.
“Pompeii” starts off with a Vapors-esque riff, but quickly restrains itself during the verses, so that when the Students break rock’n’roll out of the basement it’s been locked in they can really burst forth with Kool-Aid Man wall-busting energy. If that seems like a quirky description I apologize, it’s hard to listen to this music without wanting to join the club.
-- Mark Hughson
German Art Students on MySpace: www.myspace.com/thegermanartstudents
Comments