Track of the Day: Simian Mobile Disco - I Believe

Feb 12

LAMP-totd-smd

Simian Mobile Disco - I Believe

A regular play on KCRW, the song never seems to get old to me. The beautiful analog sequencer that opens the tracks has actually become one my favorite snippets of the song. I've often thought about simply looping just that portion to build an entirely new edit from the song. Swinging synths, fat bass line saw waves and driving kicks produce a magical opening curtain to the song that slowly give way to the introduction of ethereal vocals floating over a soft acid wash. At the song's first crescendo the first verse unfolds:"It's the same old song
That I always sing each year
But because it's perennial
Don't make it less real"Unwittingly these lyrics are self serving in the fact that, even now, this song's luster has not diminished one iota. Simon's passionate vocals inject a sense of purpose and hope in his outlook on the song's revolving relationship that is affirmed by the simple of power belief. These words could be applied in the broadest circumstances without regard for social or economic barriers. The accompanying music video, shot from the first-person perspective (produced by Romain Garvas who has also done work with the likes of MIA, Justice, and Kayne & Jay Z's 2013 tune "No Church in the Wild") epitomizes this message as the main character calmly lip syncs line after line.As for Simian Mobile Disco's production habits, I am always impressed by their approach to create in the moment. I was fortunate to get the opportunity to see them at Pappy and Harriets during a recording of their last full length album, 'Whorl'. The two band members not only delivered a memorable performance but the mere fact they used only one synthesizer and one sequencer each showed their willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible outside of a studio.

Simian Mobile Disco - Tangents

This was not the first time they had attempted something of this nature. "Live" was recorded in one take without edits in Philadelphia at Voyeur back in 2012.