The British Pixies?

The British Pixies?
Matt Winters

Some bands tell you a little bit about themselves before you even open the case using the cover of the album, the name of the band and the label that the band has chosen to release their music. Johnny Foreigner is one of those bands. I knew it would be something different just by the name of the band; it was going to be foreign.

The band is a three-piece from the bowels of England led by a dual scream/sing dynamic of boy/girl vocalists, similar to Los Campesinos or the late Pixies. The music can be described as a searing mix of post punk, pop and even the occasional singer/songwriter moment, all played quickly and with a lot of pep. Their U.S. debut "Waited Up 'Til It Was Light" is such a fun record, one that you move to in a sweaty basement, preferably full of booze.

Although it is fun, it still has a feeling of dark that only youth can feel. "Get off before the ship goes down/get off before the ship sinks," is the chorus of lead track "Lea Room" and it shows the James Dean "die young" ascetic to a T. The music bounces and drives over this almost apathetic emotional core, complete with a wavering keyboard line.

The best lyrical moment comes at the end of "Eyes Wide Terrified" with "Your life is a song/But not this one." Sharp stuff. The record is definitely something different, something foreign if you will, but it is a rewarding and invigorating listen.

Originally Published in The WSU Signpost 9/26/08