My first kiss was in 6th grade, with a girl named Jean. It was probably a horrible experience for her – all tongue and mouth and not knowing quite where to put my hands. It was what we’d learned from TV and movies, and was nothing that could be taught properly. We just kind of tilted our heads and hoped that braces didn’t get caught on anything. This went on for a few weeks after school until one day, without warning, she broke things off with me.
It’s strange now to call that a break-up. We weren’t splitting up custody, or dividing circles of friends or reclaiming DVDs. There was nothing that was “ours” beyond the time spent together. But the unilateral rejection was still disconcerting.
Former guitarist for Creaky Boards (remember?), Darwin Deez knows that feeling of being stupidly in love, and he remembers how it felt when it ended. The self-proclaimed hipster channels both into song, and both sound exactly like you’d expect 6th grade love and its end to feel. He’s quirky and genuine on “Radar Detector” about the object of his affection, and on its counterpart – “Bad Day” – he’s equally genuine about the break-up, without being particularly mean; he really just wishes upon the person a bevy of annoyances – not death or hell or prolonged suffering like others might. The tracks are all handclaps, electro-glitches and young love. And they’re really fucking outstanding.
Mr. Deez’s debut, eponymous album is for sale here, and you can see him live this month as he tours with Bishop Allen and Throw Me the Statue.
Darwin Deez – Radar Detector (mp3) from Darwin Deez
Darwin Deez – Bad Day (mp3) from Darwin Deez
