Band of the Week: Harlem Shakes

One of the bands that stood out in our 'ones to watch' list from South By South West 2009, Harlem Shakes hail from New York, New York (I'd like to think they were originally called The Shakes, and then internationally, struck gold....). I originally described them as "...If Bob Dylan fronted the Strokes, with a saxophonist." and not only do I stand by that opinion, I wish now to further endorse it.

It's worth hunting around for their Chris Zane (Les Savy Fav, Walkmen, Passion Pit) produced debut album Technicolour Health, which came out in the States in March. Album opener Nothing But Change starts out Lower-East Side by-numbers, but with a delightful brass conclusion. Radio Orlando is a more hurried effort that has Whurlitzer organs reminiscent of Vampire Weekend, and there's a great male-tone choir breakdown that I thinks been nicked from Win Butler. Sunlight is, and I'm trying not to hype it too much here, one of the best songs you will hear this year.

The Shakes of Harlem have toured with Deerhoof, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Beirut, and if any of these bands figure prominently in your Most Played list on iTunes, then I recommend you visit their website, MySpace is so dead these days, and do the honourable thing and download some of their tracks.

As far as I can tell they're not touring right now, but these are just one of those random bands that you just hear a whisper about, and next thing you know, you're having their songs played at your funeral.

Check them out at www.harlemshakes.com