Back in 2005 when I first realised there was such a thing as indiepop and twee, I had been in a band for many years whose lyrics involved aliens and love affairs in outer space, backed with drum machine and xylopone keyboards. Everywhere around us bands were either hardcore, shouting angry lyrics in with raspy voices, or creating dreamy soundscapes with fiddlesticks. Imagine my surprise when I came across a Brooklyn band named The Besties who appeared to have the exact same notion of fun in both music and lyrics, and were doing it with that same “who cares what others think” attitude. And they were not afraid to use a drum machine that really sounds like one; crappy but loveable. The Besties opened up a whole new world for me, made me realise that we were not alone. I like to think they’ve influenced more people and will continue to do so in the future. Their debut album Singer is and will be one of my all time favorites. What people in their right minds would write lyrics about falling in love with a zombie (Zombie boy, I can’t get you out of my head, zombie boy, sometimes you make wish I was dead!) or love in outer space (Baby I wanna end up in your orbit, see my planet dissappear so far below). Their second album “Home Free” was released early this year, and sadly seems to have mostly passed under the radar which is a crying shame cause it’s a good album and different from the debut, somehow grown up (but not that much).
The Besties aren’t all done however, there are two farewell concerts scheduled in December in New Jersey and Brooklyn, and a 7″ single is forthcoming from Art of The Underground.
Also, Esther Bell has made a smashing video for a song from Home Free, “Helgafell”. It can be viewed here, in the fifth row on the far left. I’m afraid of embedding this since it’s not available on YouTube yet.
Let me end this little crappy eulogy on an appropriate quote from “Theme Song”:
Last song
it’s time to say goodnight
the besties tuck you in so tight.
Hope you
enjoy the popshow
peace out, yeah you know it’s time to go.
From the album Singer (2006):
The Besties – Zombie Song
The Besties – Space Song (how can you not love that drum intro!?)
The Besties – Theme Song
From the album Home Free (2009):
The Besties – Julie Jane
The Besties – St. Francis
Video for Prison Song:
