"Sounds from Nowheresville" by The Ting Tings was quite a surprise. The surprise being that the album is one of the most innovative and also one of the best released albums in the past couple of years. "How did they do it," one might ask. They stepped outside of the box and put together a noncohesive masterwork with one common goal: To ignite the spirit of self expression, respect, and love.
1. Silence: 9.5/10 - It's tribal, euro funk laden beats underscores a repetitive chorus of "hold your tongue now, and let them all, listen to your silence." In our ever expressive world, it's hard to find a place of quiet. There are so many things crammed down our throats, impeding our thoughts, that it becomes a daily overload. This song puts "Silence" into the focus, and is an awesome opener to -
2. Hit Me Down Sunny: 10/10 - Marching drums, ringing church bells, snares going ballistic, now sprinkle some Spanish in there, and the result is a blistering anthem of keep your head up. When the picking, juke joint guitar starts it's strut through the middle of the song, I want to dance. Throw my middle finger into the wind of criticism, giving its negativity the royal salute it deserves. The last minute of this song is truly the genius of the Tings at work.
3. Hang it Up: 9/10 - Again the drums and lyrics make me march, pushes me to keep my head up. It swaggers through a pure funk ride. I find myself smiling every time I hear it. This is the 1st release from "Sounds From Nowheresville," a mighty fine choice. It's poppy and visceral at the same time. Again the last riff is genius.
4. Give it Back: 10/10 - This slow built banger is all about letting go. From the lyrics, The Tings went through some sheibe, and this tune lashes the wrongdoers in epic fashion. Every beat, guitar riff, and lyric pushes the listener to simply rock out. And again shake a tail feather to the BS of hate. There's a chorus line of "Give it back, give me back my roots..." oh snap! Who doesn't feel owned at some point in their lives? This song is all about liberation.
5. Guggenheim: 10/10 - Old school Paris blues set to the street drums and snares create the scene for this great tune. "This time I'm gonna get it right, I'm gonna paint my face at the Guggenheim." Hell yes. Ever been in a relationship that left you scarred and broken? The song follows the true arc of a failed relationship, from the twilight of beginning to the bitter end at midnight, to the reawakening at the approaching dawn. Again, picking one up, brushing the crap off and continuing to live life to the fullest. Best song of the album, and one that cemented in me to let go of the pain of heartache.
6: Soul Killing: 8.5/10 - This reggae inspired song, is really good. But being raised on Marley I cringe at peeps trying their hand at the genre. It is here that The Tings won me over. They did a really good job, for real reggae is bouncy, and visceral in its beautiful delivery of a tale of struggle. And the girls playing double dutch at the intro of the song? Puts a smile on my face every time.
7: One by One: 7/10 - This is more of a techno approach to inner knowledge and respect. Lots of synths, floaty vocals, and kind of what the airwaves are flecked with today. That's partly the reason it's a weakness to the album.
8: Day to Day: 8.5/10 - Pure 90's pop feel to this song. I can see myself chilling at the lake with friends with this blasting from a boom box, yes a boom box. It's a throwback tune, and so much fun. I sway with its simple melody, and easy hummable lyrics.
9: Help: 10/10 - Simple acoustic guitar intro, simple plea of "Can ya help?" Nice and simple and justifies the album to be taken seriously. Then the drums echo the sentiment, the base starts to build, the tribal cries crescendo with the synths, and the callout to get off your tails and care for your fellow man/woman, that you can't just turn away from the need of humanity, without it, we're dead. Jeez, damn near best song of the album.
10: In Your Life: 10/10 - Aged western-like guitar intro, tattered vocals, Yoyo Ma-esque strings grounds this song in the reality of a relationship imprintment that follows a broken heart. "You love everybody else, everybody else. Wish I was everybody else." I want to know who this sucker was just so I can slap him for hurting this woman. But again, through pain comes the best art. And this song is truly one of the most artfully beautiful tunes committed to the thread of popular music. "That one felt good" is stated at the end of this song... touché.
I wasn't really expecting this album to be a gem. But it was a free download through the Omaha Public Library (shameless plug!), so I took another chance and was rewarded for stepping outside the box, just as The Ting Tings should be rewarded for their unapologetically great album. It blasts itself onto the memory and implants a spirit of self respect. That no matter what darkness people throw at you, you must march on.
The only drawback was the shortness of the album; it runs a lackluster 33.8 minutes. But the upside of this is just that. Does one really need an hour for someone to instill in you the art of being oneself? Creating a solid core of respect in the listener? The answer is no. The album wants to be listened to over and over again, planting and nurturing the whole while as the listener grows the great ball of shine The Ting Tings have created.
My rating: A
It almost made the gauntlet of an "A+", but 7 was not a lucky number for the album. I look forward in more of their creations. Enjoy.
Olivia Johnson