As far as style goes, leggings and high waistlines have made a comeback in recent years. Brooklyn-based band Heloise and the Savoir Faire takes this retro recovery one step further with their debut album, Trash, Rats & Microphones, a disco-infused collection of campy and clever tunes.
Vocalist and namesake Heloise Williams is far from reserved, her voice cutting its way clearly over the band’s throbbing basslines and angular guitars. She chirps and yelps her way through her lyrics, with her range serving her well as she runs through each chorus with the energy of a disco diva. While Williams retains all the glitter of her influences, her lyrics range from office life (“Givin’ U The Bizness”) to artistic ideals (“Disco Heaven”). Katy Perry could take a lesson from “Memorial Day,” a track that flirts with bisexuality more believably than some crooning about flavored Chapstick.
Williams has already worked with strong women in the music industry, including Peaches and Debbie Harry. The Blondie singer was so struck with Heloise and the Savoir Faire’s sound that she contributed vocals for the album, but Heloise’s performance is strong enough to be worthy of the company. But to pay too much attention to the fact that a woman rocks would be a disservice to the band. A song based on the atrocity known as Members Only jackets is entertaining enough to make this album worth a spin for anyone with a tongue lodged firmly in cheek. Heloise and the Savoir Faire is clearly a band having fun, and no doubt their groove-laden debut will go over as well with those in clubs as with those dancing alone in their living rooms. Get out some clean socks, find a smooth floor, put on your boa, and get down without shame.
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Track Names
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Illusions
Members Only
Pick ‘n’ Choose
Datsun 280z
Po’ T
Disco Heaven
Downtown
On Fuego
Memorial Day
Canadian Changs
Givin’ U The Bizness
Odyle
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Artist: Album
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Heloise & The Savior Faire: Trash, Rats & Microphones
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Genre
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Rock
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More Information
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http://www.heloisemusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/heloiseandthesavoirfaire
http://www.redeyeusa.com
http://www.yeproc.com
