The XX

adidasss · 09-08-2009, 06:22 AM

Ok, this band is obviously impossible to search for so if a thread already exists, my apologies.

They're getting a lot of buzz as of late, including a Best New Music nod from P4K. I heard the album before that though and deleted it promptly, only to be surprised by the almost universal praise they're getting. So I downloaded it again and listened more intently and I have to say, I still don't get it. The vocals (especially the woman's) are extremely bland, the music is simple and very low key and takes a back seat to the vocals, which are bland and all of the songs sound the same. Except the Intro which has a really groovy beat and is totally misleading as far as the rest of the album goes.

So like...what's the deal?

Piss Me Off · 09-08-2009, 06:34 AM

My friend was raving about them the other day to me and on further inspection i have to agree. It's moody music which is lacking a certain atmosphere and character, the instruments are dull as well.

A video for anyone who's interested nonetheless..

ikvat · 09-08-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piss Me Off

My friend was raving about them the other day to me and on further inspection i have to agree. It's moody music which is lacking a certain atmosphere and character, the instruments are dull as well.

A video for anyone who's interested nonetheless..

Not so bad.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 09-08-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidasss

So like...what's the deal?

The deal is you seem to think you're under an obligation to like something just because it's new and because some people are creating a buzz about it.

It doesn't matter how new, trendy or fashionable something is. If you think it's a steaming pile of crap just say so.

adidasss · 09-08-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

The deal is you seem to think you're under an obligation to like something just because it's new and because some people are creating a buzz about it.

It doesn't matter how new, trendy or fashionable something is. If you think it's a steaming pile of crap just say so.

I feel an obligation to give an album that's been getting positive feedback a shot, sure. I gave them another shot because I'm pretty dismissive with albums and i thought I'd missed something (I have been known to completely change my mind on artists, as has been well documented on this forum). That said, I think I made it pretty clear what I think of them. It's rather obvious this thread was meant as a diss, not an actual plea for people to convince me to like this album...

LoathsomePete · 09-08-2009, 11:36 AM

I got their debut album sent to me a few weeks ago and it didn't really do much for me, but then again most indie doesn't. I kept it because I didn't overly despise it, however odds of me listening to it again with an open mind are pretty slim.

Arya Stark · 09-08-2009, 12:17 PM

They have somewhat of an attractive quality about them, I'm not exactly sure what it is.

Are they always that creepy looking?

right-track · 09-08-2009, 01:19 PM

I quite liked that track. Melancholy in a Cure kind of way.
Chances are they're one of those bands that grow on you with repeated listens.

jackhammer · 09-08-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

I quite liked that track. Melancholy in a Cure kind of way.
Chances are they're one of those bands that grow on you with repeated listens.

I agree. It's not bad at all. Wouldn't mind giving the album a listen, however they are certainly not the be all and end all. For melancholic dual male/female lead vocals it's still Carissa's Wierd for me.

~~chrissygerraty~~ · 11-18-2009, 01:01 PM

I'm in total agreement on this one. My co-workers play this album ALL THE TIME to the point where I know some of the lyrics by heart. It's extremely bland and doesn't do a thing for me musically. I'm also very surprised by all the hype surrounding them. There is this terrible rock station in San Francisco (LIVE 105) that totally overplays "Crystallized" and they're freaking out because XX is opening for Friendly Fires. No thank you, I'll pass.

09-08-2009, 06:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
adidasss Slavic gay sauce Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 7,945	The XX Ok, this band is obviously impossible to search for so if a thread already exists, my apologies. They're getting a lot of buzz as of late, including a Best New Music nod from P4K. I heard the album before that though and deleted it promptly, only to be surprised by the almost universal praise they're getting. So I downloaded it again and listened more intently and I have to say, I still don't get it. The vocals (especially the woman's) are extremely bland, the music is simple and very low key and takes a back seat to the vocals, which are bland and all of the songs sound the same. Except the Intro which has a really groovy beat and is totally misleading as far as the rest of the album goes. So like...what's the deal? __________________ “Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.” - Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle. Last.fm Last edited by adidasss; 09-08-2009 at 06:40 AM.

09-08-2009, 06:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Piss Me Off Moodswings n' Roundabouts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: At the corner of Dude and Catastrophe Posts: 4,470	My friend was raving about them the other day to me and on further inspection i have to agree. It's moody music which is lacking a certain atmosphere and character, the instruments are dull as well. A video for anyone who's interested nonetheless.. __________________ Last FM Rate Yr Music Muxtape

09-08-2009, 11:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I got their debut album sent to me a few weeks ago and it didn't really do much for me, but then again most indie doesn't. I kept it because I didn't overly despise it, however odds of me listening to it again with an open mind are pretty slim. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

09-08-2009, 01:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
right-track Atchin' Akai Join Date: May 2005 Location: Unamerica Posts: 8,769	I quite liked that track. Melancholy in a Cure kind of way. Chances are they're one of those bands that grow on you with repeated listens.

11-18-2009, 01:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
~~chrissygerraty~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco, CA (Upper Haight) Posts: 64	I'm in total agreement on this one. My co-workers play this album ALL THE TIME to the point where I know some of the lyrics by heart. It's extremely bland and doesn't do a thing for me musically. I'm also very surprised by all the hype surrounding them. There is this terrible rock station in San Francisco (LIVE 105) that totally overplays "Crystallized" and they're freaking out because XX is opening for Friendly Fires. No thank you, I'll pass.