NP - Future Islands on Letterman

[David Morris]

http://www.npr.org/2014/03/16/286898446/first-listen-future-islands-singles

the band's performance on *The Late Show with David Letterman*, from whence
the original Instagram came, was anything but normal. They played *Singles*'
lead single "Seasons (Waiting on You)." Herring howled and grumbled his way
through it, dipping down low to do said dance move, then standing tall to
audibly pound his chest and search for meaning. It was mesmerizing, like
watching a young Marlon Brando yell "Stellaaaaaa" into the Barrymore's
cheap seats. The rest of the band just stood there like stagehands doing
their jobs.

Great performances like that raise expectations, especially if they're
introductions, especially if they're to promote a new album on national
television. So that is the weight on *Singles*, and yet, miraculously, it
doesn't crumble. *Singles* is extremely catchy, well-constructed classic
pop: winsome and simple melodies, yearning lyrics, bass lines that will
never die. It is also dark and desperate and serious in a way that feels
fairly rare these days. There is no ironic withdrawal, no equivocation to
avoid abuse, just pure commitment. Herring's voice, which can go from
searching whisper to hoarse demonic shout on a pivot, does much of this
heavy lifting.

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:

> He's got a goofy dance, but a passionate voice. More like Joe Cocker than
> Tom Jones.
>
> On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, <malignd at aol.com<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','malignd at aol.com');>>
> wrote:
>
>> This guy's a clown.  He's like the second coming of Tom Jones.  (And a
>> really good dancer ...)
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com>
>> To: P-list <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>> Sent: Wed, Mar 19, 2014 12:39 am
>> Subject: NP - Future Islands on Letterman
>>
>>  David Letterman - Future Islands: "Seasons (Waiting On You)"<http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ee4bfu_t3c>
>>
>>  This guy is rock.
>>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://waste.org/pipermail/pynchon-l/attachments/20140319/f32c2061/attachment.html>