Anoraak

Maybe it's because I don't play video games anymore but it didn't it seem like video games in the late 80's and early 90's were the best? I know that you can basically decapitate a car jacker while banging a prostitute in games these days but that's just a weird reflection of how desensitized we've become to violence as opposed to actually being cool. Pacman, RBI Baseball, Contra, Pole Position, Duck Hunt, and of course Centipede will never be beat. Is it because of their graphics? Of course not; it was all about the music that was playing when you were chasing down ghosts or hitting home runs. Whenever my brother and I are watching a baseball game, all we do is hum the song to RBI Baseball. Play this online if you haven't already. Best sports game ever behind Techmo Bowl of course.

There was something simple, catchy, and dancey about video game songs then and even 80's movies started to picked up on this. The scenes in Revenge of the Nerds where they punch random keys  and cartoon characters magically appear on their computer screen and kiss were all set to cool video game music. Every hacking scene in Real Genius had this as well.

Why am I bringing this up? Because Anoraak's EP Night Drive With You is basically this music with lyrics. It's simple repetitive keys, bleeps, and drum beats that pulsate through head until you're hooked. When you first hear it you think to yourself, this is kind of fruity. But after a few minutes you find your self tapping your feet and the next thing you know you've got the full blown Buffalo Bill(Silence of the Lambs) tuck going on while dancing. And seeing them live is no different. You try your best to keep from dancing but the energy and tight live sound these frenchies bring to the stage makes it impossible to stand still. All I could think of while dancing was this music reminded me of Weird Science. I kept waiting for a naked Kelly Lebrock to pop up but sadly that never happened. Maybe I should've been wearing my underwear on my head. Check out Endless Summer, Never Ending Romance Disaster, and Nightdrive With You on this album.

The second release Wherever the Sun Sets sounds more like the cheesy prom scenes from 80's movies. It's similar in style to his EP but songs like Cant Stop and Taste Like Cherry are more focused on body movin rather than a specific love in Nightdrive. What's great is it's not just Anoraak on a laptop playing recorded music made on his pc but it's an actual show with guitars, keys, and drums. And what's reproduced live actually sounds better than what's recorded in the studio. I actually prefer the EP to his latest effort but there's something to be said about music that reminds me of Just One the Guys. Buddy showing up to prom in a tuxedo t-shirt and jeans and the scene where you see Teri's boobs for the first time are forever ingrained in your head. And honestly who secretly doesn't want their best friend to have the biggest female boobs ever created? I rate these guys as FRESH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mswxgiiPKF8&feature=BFa&list=ALHTd1VmZQRNr9yDnW8aO_HMrIPeMSl6CU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFBVLIx50IM&feature=BFa&list=ALHTd1VmZQRNr9yDnW8aO_HMrIPeMSl6CU