In Praise of: United State Of Electronica "U.S.E."

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Yeah yeah, you might think their band name is extremely cringeworthy...

But the debut album by United State Of Electronica, U.S.E., is certainly worth a listen. It's basically Daft Punk/Komeda gone Disneyworld (or at least their music has the "Disney Sparkle"), or (as noted by Ned in another forum) an album where every song sounds like the end of movie "Xanadu". In either case, there's this strange Kelly/Partridge Family sense of universal love and good times that is a theme in the tunes, but (thankfully) no actual musical relation at all. In fact, this album is not really that electronic after all -- most of the sounds are fleshed out on real instruments, just really tightly. All the Daft Punk vocoding elements are there, but with more guitar, and Komeda style melodies.

It's really hard to listen to the two tracks with rapping on them (given that the rapper sounds like a third-rate version of Stereo MC's... yes, a possibly fake British *rapping* accent.. I guess Mr. C of the Shamen did more damage than I thought), and having vocoder on track after track can be a little tiring, but the strength of this band shines through in the context of playing one of their tracks in a mix. It's so easy to find ways to pick on the group, yet I always come back to listening to this album anyway. Had they edited this album to just the first half, this would have been unstoppable.

Props and/or strikes for using the same debut album naming technique as Color Me Badd.

highlights: "Emerald City", "Climb the Walls (Umbrella Of Love)", "Open Your Eyes", "Takin' It All The Way"

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:18 (twenty-one years ago)

My brief review of this will be in a column in the new Loose Lips Sink Ships -- really great album, indeed. Mike Daddino thought the Andrew WK element would put me off but I prefer to think of it as that element done right. ;-)

there's this strange Kelly/Partridge Family sense of universal love and good times that is a theme in the tunes, but (thankfully) no actual musical relation at all

Yes -- this is a Polyphonic Spree that you actually want to listen to. If you will.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:23 (twenty-one years ago)

thirded -- it's pretty light, fun etc etc, maybe this year's junior senior for me

― Nick Sylvester, Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:27 (twenty-one years ago)

They opened for Aluminum Group during the last Noisepop -- never seen so many people packed onto Cafe Du Nord's little stage, they literally bring the party with them. By the end of the set it did get a little same-y, but they've got a puppy-dog energy that really won the crowd over. (My wife, mid-set: "they're all just so CUTE!")

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:31 (twenty-one years ago)

This is actually a classic example of me not hearing a band because of their awful name. I have heard good things, especially about their live show, but have yet to see them. It's not so much a conscious thing, like I don't think, "Fuck them, their name is stupid," it's just that it's been a barrier to me hearing much more of them. I promise to reform and check them out.

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:32 (twenty-one years ago)

The name IS stupid and I would smack them around for it if I could.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:33 (twenty-one years ago)

There are too many of 'em, Ned! Don't try it!

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I WILL BRING THE NONEXISTENT PAIN

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:37 (twenty-one years ago)

KILLA BEEZ GONNA SWARM

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

From what I hear, the last thing you want to do is get these guys angry. Before you know it, they'll launch off on some global crusade against Rockism...

Arh arh.

― Evanston Wade (EWW), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:42 (twenty-one years ago)

stuff that sounds like "xanadu"? sign me up!

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Musing more, United State Of Electronica are probably the first American band to almost completely accurately simulate Japanese pop production.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I want to hear this. Your description makes it seem a bit like a cheerful counterpart to My Computer's gloomy Vulnerabilia, which would suit me fine.

And I can deal with the crap band name, although I doubt I'll buy the t-shirt.

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 17:57 (twenty-one years ago)

it's grebt. my favorite Seattle album of the year so far, easily, and definitely my favorite live band locally. they're touring nationally right now. here is something I wrote about them recently.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

stuff that sounds like "xanadu"? sign me up!

Hurrah for Maria! It's less the sound of that specific song per se as it is the splashy ridiculous and wonderful atmosphere of the end of the film, where it seems everyone goes collectively and beautifully insane.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 18:44 (twenty-one years ago)

i gave this away to another reviewer without even listening to it - the title put me off. now i'm all full of regrets.

― Sean M (Sean M), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

oh, i know the movie. its one of my favorites. ive got it on betamax, vhs and dvd -- if anyone needs to borrow it. need the soundtrack? yeah, i got that too.

right now, USE sounds like that scene where they're trying to merge the 1940's bandstand with 1980's rock.

actually, plain parade was approached about doing a show of theirs. i hope we get to do it. then again, i kinda hope we dont, so i can actually watch it instead of working the door and panicking.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:16 (twenty-one years ago)

USE sounds like that scene where they're trying to merge the 1940's bandstand with 1980's rock

Hmmm...nah, a bit too formal. I'm thinking more the fashion store/pinball sequence, or the part where there's nothing but jugglers and roller skaters and tumblers in Xanadu itself. But we are splitting hairs, admittedly. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:18 (twenty-one years ago)

It's basically Daft Punk/Komeda gone Disneyworld

My Kneejerk Sense tells me that between Cornelius - Fantasma and Plus-Tech Squeeze Box - Fakevox, there's probably no need for me to ever hear this.

― Barima (Barima), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I haven't heard the latter, but the former is more playful sixties than playful seventies to my ears, so I would urge you otherwise, sir.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I admit an American take on that style of Japanese pop is intriguing, so hopefully it'll be in the UK when I get home next month?

― Barima (Barima), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

BTW, Ned, Fakevox is a lot like Fantasma redone by twee e-rushing Bis-loving teenagers with Casio keyboards replacing Fantasma's hard-rock and slower moments with jazz/swing, breakbeat, power punk-pop and an 80s Eurodisco number. Predictably, I love it.

― Barima (Barima), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Hm! Could be fun, that. Hey, did you ever get the Disco Inferno disc?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 19:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, my mum said I had "some records from California in the post" when I phoned her a few days after you sent it out. Thanks v. much, shame neither mum nor I can find anyone travelling from London to Ghana who'd bring me my growing stash of mail (and we know a fair no. of people who make the journey).

― Barima (Barima), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

What bums. Mock them, with due bemusement.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Always.

My new mantra: "6 Weeks Left".

― Barima (Barima), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha! Hey Ned, an aunt just phoned me to say she'll be going to London over the weekend and (as always), will drop by my place to see my family. DI, here I come!

― Barima (Barima), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Woohoo! The power of positive thinking!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 20:35 (twenty-one years ago)

*I* LIKE THE RAPPING!

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 21:29 (twenty-one years ago)

I salute you for your bravery in the face of our disagreement.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 21:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I also like the rapping. It reminds me of Turbo B from Snap!

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 23:17 (twenty-one years ago)

It reminds me of Robin Scott a.k.a. M!

― Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Wednesday, 5 May 2004 23:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Are they like the Cooler Kids? BEcause if they are, watch me hype the living shit out of them.

― LC, Thursday, 6 May 2004 02:51 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't hear any Komeda influence? Maybe if the only Komeda track I knew was "A Simple Formality", i'd agree.

"Emerald City" is great btw, is that the single?

― Michael F Gill (Michael F Gill), Thursday, 6 May 2004 12:47 (twenty-one years ago)

(For Ned) Plus-Tech Squeeze Box:

http://www.vroom-sound.com/psb/image/bbc_001.gif

http://www.surla.co.uk/bands.asp?band=psb

http://www.vroom-sound.com/sound/VRCD3311.html

― Barima (Barima), Thursday, 6 May 2004 13:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't hear any Komeda influence?

Maybe not the greatest point of comparison. I wanted to use Tahiti 80, but a) they're just as recent as U.S.E., and b) they are FAR more boring than U.S.E.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 6 May 2004 18:00 (twenty-one years ago)

(pssst: you can order it from http://www.usemusic.com/)

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Friday, 7 May 2004 20:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I've been wanting to hear U.S.E. Guess I'll have to get cracking.

― bimble (bimble), Saturday, 8 May 2004 00:26 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

i swear i searched! arg. this is good tho.

― juiceboxxx (juiceboxxx), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:25 (twenty-one years ago)

OK, I finally picked this up, and while I can't really comment on the whole album yet, this song Emerald City is a fucking gem. I was just driving around town listening to it over and over again in the sunshine. Maybe this won't translate well if you're not listening to it in the Seattle sun, but DAMN is it good for that. The reasons why is the new summer jam:

1. The neighborhood roll call/ "We LOVE IT" thing. Pits LA in the summer against Seattle in the summer. The Winner? I think you know the answer.

2. The fact that it proclaims 2004 in Seattle as the summer of love. This is a welcome relief from the previous 5 summers:

1999: The Summer of Despair
2000: The Summer of Rage
2001: The Summer of Overly Ripe Cantalope
2002: The Summer of Jigga Having Held it Down for Six Summers
2003: The Summer of Pabst

As you can see, a summer of love is just what the doctor ordered.

3. Because, dammit, the days ARE getting longer and love IS getting stronger. Can't you feel it?

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Friday, 4 June 2004 22:02 (twenty-one years ago)

hell yeah.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Friday, 4 June 2004 22:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I never had it so well!

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Friday, 4 June 2004 22:16 (twenty-one years ago)

I've got this feeling we'll work it out--LA DISCOTECA! [glam-stop riff]

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Friday, 4 June 2004 22:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I think U.S.E., Scissor Sisters and Big & Rich should go on a mammoth cross-country tour this summer, sponsored by Fluxblog ("now with 50% more joy!") and PBR. Life would become too grand for words.

― Sean Thomas (sgthomas), Friday, 4 June 2004 22:21 (twenty-one years ago)

i like listening to this album but then i always switch to am Radio Disney for the real shit

― chaki_burger (chaki), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:34 (twenty-one years ago)

real as opposed to what, pray tell?

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:36 (twenty-one years ago)

For the Metal Mike Saunders stuff? (Actually, I think Donut Bitch did say something about the sheer Disney quality of the album when he first talked about it to me.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:37 (twenty-one years ago)

i still can't get past the awful name

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:38 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a HORRIBLE name -- but seriously, give it a try.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I LOVE THE NAME :-p

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:40 (twenty-one years ago)

for god's sake I can't believe people who like Moonshine comps (well, certain ones) as much as I do are having trouble with this! "I won't listen to Speed Limit 140 BPM Plus--good lord, that NAME!"

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:40 (twenty-one years ago)

i will forgive rave music anything, matos

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:42 (twenty-one years ago)

THIS IS RAVE MUSIC, STRONGO

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:43 (twenty-one years ago)

why the hell do you think I LIKE it so much?

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:43 (twenty-one years ago)

haha they're "electronica"

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

(yeah yeah i'll check it out FINE)

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Trust me, you'll come back to this thread a changed man.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:47 (twenty-one years ago)

This is my third favorite album right now and may even make my best of the year. After "Night Shift" it has a hard time staying interested, but it starts so strong...

― frankE (frankE), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:55 (twenty-one years ago)

it gets better again after the raps in the late-middle are over (though I do like those because I am a korny ravuh fukk)

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Saturday, 5 June 2004 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Am Disney Radio always plays shit that sounds like USE

― chaki_burger (chaki), Saturday, 5 June 2004 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Any word on Euro distribution?

Ned, check out the links upthread?

― Crickets Dance On Tequila Booty (Barima), Saturday, 5 June 2004 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Not yet, sir. I am lame. Soon. :-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 5 June 2004 16:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I agree that the album loses a bit of steam around "Night Shift," but it picks up at the end with "La Discoteca," which is one of the three total classics on the record (the other two being "It Is On!" and "Emerald City."

I think that they should seriously call themselves "U.S.E" full time - it's less embarassing, it sounds really good, it doesn't abandon the 'real' name, and "use" is a pretty good word in and of itself.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Saturday, 5 June 2004 16:48 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm amazed that there haven't been any major/large labels jumping on this record - they is definitely a market for this sort of record. The Polyphonic Spree, Electric Six, Junior Senior, Daft Punk, and Andrew WK have all had modest success, and this would certainly go over well on the same scale.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Saturday, 5 June 2004 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

this is total radio disney fodder, i think thats why i like it so much (or at least one of the reasons). i finally listened to radio disney in fm this spring, it kinda sucked.

― juiceboxxx (juiceboxxx), Sunday, 6 June 2004 00:23 (twenty-one years ago)

it reminds me of the cardigans 'first band on the moon', and, maybe 'life' as well, as much as anything

― charltonlido (gareth), Thursday, 10 June 2004 13:43 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

Still want to know if I can find this in London. Having listened to the Cooler Kids, I'm definitely more open to this now (a lie, I always was).

― R.I.M.A. (Barima), Thursday, 1 July 2004 13:09 (twenty-one years ago)

It seems you can download the whole album through their site: http://www.mannheimworldwide.com/
They encourage you to buy the album, but it appears to be up there as MP3s in it's entirety.

― Neb Reyob (Ben Boyer), Thursday, 1 July 2004 22:16 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

been listening to it is on and emerald city and i like them but something doesnt sit right with me, and its not the name, the name is fine

― artiste (artiste), Monday, 30 August 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

they both feel like they're building to something big and shiny and absolutely massive that will send the dancefloor crazy but it never actually happens

― artiste (artiste), Monday, 30 August 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

also i dont like indie girl singing

― artiste (artiste), Monday, 30 August 2004 20:34 (twenty-one years ago)

So Jess, did you finally listen?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 30 August 2004 20:35 (twenty-one years ago)

it is a death cab for cutie fan's idea of how to improve on daft punk

― artiste (artiste), Monday, 30 August 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I need to listen to this more.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 30 August 2004 20:51 (twenty-one years ago)

i have still yet to hear this.

― jess (dubplatestyle), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)

I could never love 'Emerald City'.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:32 (twenty-one years ago)

it is a death cab for cutie fan's idea of how to improve on daft punk

no, it's a daft punk fan's idea of "indie," which automatically makes it better than actual indie

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:34 (twenty-one years ago)

and you're the one trying too hard

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm disappointed "Emerald City" hasn't gotten any airplay - maybe it needed a k-awesome video or something. & remixes'd be nice.

xpost : matos otm. cargo cult french filterdisco!

― etc, Monday, 30 August 2004 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

haha my lapsing into pedantry of this sort is precisely the thing that made me stop posting before, I should go back to that. but seriously, there is nothing "ironic" or "posturing" about them; seeing them live is proof of that, though that probably isn't likely to happen to a lot of posters here outside the U.S.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Sometimes, when one wants to say someone sounds like they're trying too hard, it can be very hard to put one's finger on what it is about them that prompts this feeling.

― Alba (Alba), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

matos - what've they been up to in the past three-four months? is their rep growing outside of seattle/washington? are their shows becoming increasingly awesome as word spreads?

― etc, poster outside the U.S., Monday, 30 August 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

i think i might hate this

― mark p (Mark P), Monday, 30 August 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

if you decide adamantly enough, you can hate anything

they seem to be getting more popular and they're playing the mainstage at Bumbershoot (opening for Death Cab and the Presidents of the USA, yes I know) so they're obviously reaching critical mass here. beyond that, who knows? I know Luomo and Achim Schepanzi are fans, though.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:13 (twenty-one years ago)

also, define "indie girl singing" plz

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:14 (twenty-one years ago)

actually, scratch the last question. I'm becoming silly and cross again and finding strawmen wherever I look. I'm going to knock it off now. bottom line: I like them and think you should too, blah blah blah.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:21 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't think there is anything ironic or posturing about them matos! i believe they believe what they are doing, i just wish they were doing more than they are

i promise the next time i dj a party i will put on emerald city, i have this terrible sinking feeling it will clear the floor but if i am wrong about this i will post to the thread!!!

i'd see them live but i am not sure i can listen to the recorded version anymore until someone gives them a proper remix with space cowboy style gay disco noises

― artiste (artiste), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:32 (twenty-one years ago)

i like these guys, but something stops me from loving them, and i think it's the production--all the songs i've heard sound really badly recorded and/or mixed.

― s1ocki (slutsky), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:39 (twenty-one years ago)

well, obviously I jumped the gun artiste, I just said so in fact. sorry to put you on the defensive. yours and slocki's are good points . . . that I'm not hearing myself. c'est la vie.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:43 (twenty-one years ago)

i just want 'em to go big-budget!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Monday, 30 August 2004 22:45 (twenty-one years ago)

WIDESCREEN!
(which is why I really want them to get remixed. c'mon luomo, you know you want to!)

― etc, Monday, 30 August 2004 22:55 (twenty-one years ago)

This thread is making me sad(der).

― R.I.M.A. (Barima), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 13:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I think that they really need to get on a national tour, possibly as an opening act. They need to play a headlining show in NYC, at least.

They are definitely the kind of act that might really benefit from having "It Is On" or "Emerald City" appear in an ad of some kind.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 17:53 (twenty-one years ago)

they have toured nationally, just not in NYC.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 18:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I was looking at their site , and apparenty they've toured through the west coast and the midwest. They haven't hit NYC or any other of the big east coast cities (Boston, Philly, DC). They haven't played anywhere on the east coast, full stop.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 18:45 (twenty-one years ago)

USE should tour with the Polyphonic Spree. That would make sense, and I think that most of the PS audience would be into it.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 18:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Andrew WK, Polyphonic Spree, Junior Senior, USE package tour. People would leave the venue with toothaches.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 18:49 (twenty-one years ago)

That's a HORRIBLE lineup (unless JS and USE went first and then I could leave early).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

USE touring with the Scissor Sisters would be a pretty good match.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

That would be cool, I agree.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Ned's reaction was mine until I realized that out of all those I only dislike the Polyphonic Spree. And Scissor Sisters.

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Tuesday, 31 August 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

three weeks pass...

Planned east coast dates coming soon... (an NYC date was mentioned at Piano's in late fall(?).) Also a month long stint all around California, to play the smaller places in between the big ones.

― F9 F10 F11 F12, Tuesday, 21 September 2004 22:23 (twenty years ago)

Oh man, they are opening for The Presidents of the United States of America (of "Lump" and "Peaches" fame) over here in Boston. Now we just need to reunite The United States of America for the perfect three way tour.

― Michael F Gill (Michael F Gill), Thursday, 30 September 2004 03:57 (twenty years ago)

three months pass...

"Open your eyes" is ridiculously fun! Even moreso when you imagine The Crescendolls (of Interstella 5555) performing it!

― Jole, Monday, 24 January 2005 14:58 (twenty years ago)

one month passes...

Msg from USE.. dated March 3rd so the first part has past unfortunately.. it was a Stranger sponsored free show starring U.S.E. but they are now on tour, and here it is...

....

2) Then, literally right after we get done playing we're heading out
on a 3 week tour that will take us to SXSW w/ our good friends and TV
Stars Aqueduct. We'll then be returning with a group called Mommy and
Daddy. We look forward to making new friends.

Here's those dates.
03/05 Sat Salt Lake City UT @ Urban Lounge
w/ Aqueduct
----------------------------------
03/06 Sun Denver CO @ Larimer Lounge
w/ Aqueduct
----------------------------------
03/07 Mon Omaha NE @ O'leavers
w/ Aqueduct
----------------------------------
03/09 Wed Minneapolis MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
w/ Aqueduct
----------------------------------
03/10 Thu Chicago IL @ Bottom Lounge
w/ Aqueduct, Mommy and Daddy, Beep Beep
----------------------------------
03/11 Fri Ann Arbor MI @ Piermont Commons
w/ Aqueduct, Mommy and Daddy
----------------------------------
03/12 Sat Grand Rapids MI @ The Aftermath
w/ Mommy and Daddy
----------------------------------
3/13 Sun Dayton, OH @ Elbow's
w/ Aqueduct, Mommy and Daddy
----------------------------------
3/15 Tue Oklahoma City, OK @ The Hi/Lo
w/ Aqueduct
----------------------------------
03/16 Wed Austin TX @ Maggie Mae's
w/ Aero Booking Showcase: Ocean Blue, Smoosh, Dolorean, Luke Temple, Dolour
----------------------------------
03/19 Sat Austin TX
Control Group SXSW Party
------------------------------------
03/21 Mon Lawrence KS @ Jackpot
w/ Mommy and Daddy
----------------------------------
03/22 Tue Des Moines IA @ Vaudeville Mews
w/ Mommy and Daddy
----------------------------------
03/25 Fri Billings MT @ 11 Cafe
w/ Mommy and Daddy

More shows coming once we're home.

3) Then in April U.S.E will be travelling to Japan to play Osaka and
Tokyo. YEEHAW, we couldn't be more excited about this trip and
opportunity.

here's the dates
4/8/05 Club Noon Osaka, Japan
4/9/05 Liquid Room Ebisu Tokyo, Japan

4) Then we are very excited to announce that our own loving and
incredible record label Sonic Boom Recordings will be re-releasing our
full length album on March 15th. This will be the first time that this
album will be distributed to stores across the country and hopefully
the U.K. The first 1000 copies pressed of the album will have a bonus
EP, featuring 2 live tracks (Party People, and There's Always Music)
and 2 remixes (Climb the Walls (Umbrella of Love) and IT IS ON!) by
our pal RK47. http://www.sonicboomrecordings.com

Things are moving like crazy and we're hanging on for dear life! We
couldn't be having more fun, and thank you all for supporting us as we
spread the joy of fun and love and dancing celebration across the
world. Please come on out to the shows and greet us on the road,
we'll look forward to seeing you all out there.

endless love,

U.S.E

http://www.usemusic.com

― donut debonair (donut), Sunday, 6 March 2005 05:50 (twenty years ago)

I just saw the ad for their show yesterday -- I had no idea they were touring!

― jaymc (jaymc), Sunday, 6 March 2005 06:45 (twenty years ago)

That Tokyo show is about an hour from where I live, and on a Saturday night. I think I'll take a shot at catching it. It has been a good stretch for dance shows in the Tokyo area -- I saw LCD Soundsystem last weekend in Shibuya, and Lemon Jelly is coming later in the month.

― John Fredland (jfredland), Sunday, 6 March 2005 07:13 (twenty years ago)

yeah, the album's coming out nationally the 15th. it was just mail order/regionally available until this. so now you can all hear it and FEEL THE VOIB!!!!!

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Sunday, 6 March 2005 09:24 (twenty years ago)

Hooray! Fame! Glory! Love!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 7 March 2005 00:42 (twenty years ago)

OK, so you can already find the "Live and Direct from the Emerald City" CD-EP, which is the four song EP mentioned above, for three bucks in Seattle stores (probably Sonic Boom records, for obvious reasons.) I'm guessing the limited editions of the nationally distributed U.S.E. CDs will be rubber-banded with these EPs.

I can definitely say the EP is a lot of fun. You start listening to the EP, the live tracks in this case, expecting "Aw, man, it's going to sound this muddled?" and then before you know it.. BAM!!! Clarity and loudness... I can't wait for the studio version of "Party People"... the live version of "There's Always Music" is really neat.

The RK47 remixes are nice, and make the songs distinct from the original versions, although I prefer the originals. However, if you hate guitars, and like plinky synth sounds, then you'll like these remixes quite a bit.

but yeah, try and get the version of the album with the EP if you can.. it's not absolutely essential, but you'll probably kick yourself if you don't.

― donut debonair (donut), Saturday, 12 March 2005 23:03 (twenty years ago)

they're really good live, go see them if you can. (aqueduct are embarrassing and horrible, btw). all USE members more than crushworthy, if u aks me. go!

― f--gg (gcannon), Sunday, 13 March 2005 02:14 (twenty years ago)

Saw them yesterday w/ Mommy and Daddy opening. Excellent show, despite a lack of crowd action. Definitely go see them.

― mike h. (mike h.), Thursday, 24 March 2005 02:04 (twenty years ago)

I'm late to the party on these guys, but man, oh, man - "Emerald City" instantly puts me in a good mood. Future CLASSIC.

― Tantrum (Tantrum The Cat), Friday, 25 March 2005 00:14 (twenty years ago)

see them live! they're so ridiculously fun.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Friday, 25 March 2005 00:19 (twenty years ago)

I just missed an opportunity to see them live, which is annoying. Every time I read you talk about them matos you're all "see them live!" and I really want to. The middle part of the album doesn't work for me right now, like I love the first couple tracks and then the last couple but I want the live experience to make me love the whole album. Also love that Ron Curty mix of "Umbrella of Love" ... is that on the bonus disc?

― deej., Friday, 25 March 2005 00:21 (twenty years ago)

it's on the bonus ep, yeah. live they're straight joy, no dead spots, even the pauses are sort of necessary since everyone onstage has been jumping around so fucking much.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Friday, 25 March 2005 00:34 (twenty years ago)

I've seen them twice, and both times the skipped some of the weaker tracks from the album. All killer, no filler, as it were. The new unreleased songs they played were wonderful.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Friday, 25 March 2005 01:09 (twenty years ago)

That said, it took a live version of "Night Shift" to convince me to like the song, finally... the drummer adlibbed a lot of the geographical locations, and the story behind the song is interesting. The drummer, "Johnny Rock", who I think is Iranian(?), was given the *ahem* extra security treatment when he arrived at an airport late one night.. so he wrote the song "Night Shift" about the security guard in question.

― donut debonair (donut), Friday, 25 March 2005 01:15 (twenty years ago)

On a first listen, this album makes me want to kill puppies. Its just far too syrupy for my liking. Its On is okay but its kind of self-consciously FUN! in the way the Flaming Lips and their stupid animal suits are fun.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 31 March 2005 17:17 (twenty years ago)

They're really fantastic live. I went to see them a few weeks ago with a friend who hadn't heard them before (and I imagine, given her tastes, that she'd have been skeptical of them even if she had) and she was totally won over by the energy. Also, I ran into them on the street at SXSW, and they were really nice.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 31 March 2005 17:40 (twenty years ago)

Matt, I can totally understand why you'd feel that way, but having been around the band members and talking to them briefly, that's.. um.. actually how they are, earnestly. They're not jumping up and down and doing somersaults on their way to their day jobs or anything, but the band members certainly aren't in this for irony, if that's what you're hinting at..(although I can understand why one would think that.)

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 31 March 2005 18:53 (twenty years ago)

(..that would take an extremely jaded mindset to think that though.. and, Matt, I'm not accusing you of such a mindset.)

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 31 March 2005 18:54 (twenty years ago)

I think the question, "what makes them different from the Flaming Lips fun-fests?" is a good one, though. I don't think the Lips are being ironic, either.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 31 March 2005 18:55 (twenty years ago)

um, they're better at it, maybe?

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Thursday, 31 March 2005 19:02 (twenty years ago)

ding ding ding

― Michael F Gill (Michael F Gill), Thursday, 31 March 2005 19:06 (twenty years ago)

bonus ep? huh? could somebody please post the tracklisting &c?

― etc, Thursday, 31 March 2005 22:32 (twenty years ago)

two weeks pass...

Party People (Live)
There's Always Music (Live)
It Is On! (RK47 Remix)
Umbrellas Of Love (RK47 Remix)

I just picked up the new EP and I just love the Umbrellas Of Love remix. Great stuff.

― buck van morrison (Buck Van Smack), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 00:14 (twenty years ago)

There's also a Japanese EP called "Party People", to make things more confusing:

1.Open Your Eyes (from the album)
2.Party People (live)
3.Climb The Walls (live)
4.There's Always Music (live on KEXP)
5.Vamos A La Casa (Bobby Karate mix)
6.Umbrellas of Love (RK47 mix)
7.Emerald City (Karaoke mix)

At least you can buy it from the band merch table for $10 instead of spending more than twice as much elsewhere.. so there ya go.

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 00:18 (twenty years ago)

Donut, I don't know if you listen to radio much. But did you catch USE live on The End last friday? They sounded great -- save the mixing fuckup early on.

― buck van morrison (Buck Van Smack), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 00:22 (twenty years ago)

If anyone can hook me up with "Party People," I'd be thrilled.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 00:37 (twenty years ago)

this week the stranger has a feature on their japan tour: http://www.thestranger.com/current/feature.html

okay tunes. (still) can't stand the name!

― supertwerp, Tuesday, 19 April 2005 01:20 (twenty years ago)

Buck, now I don't listen to radio unfortunately. I didn't know The End was playing them.. good for them.

Matthew, I ended up with an extra copy of the CD-EP. We should talk.

Supertwerp: yet to catch up, but thanks for the link. Though for Stranger links, you probably want to click on the "Linking? Use this URL!" thingie on the right, like this, so the link remains intact next week and long after ;)

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 04:03 (twenty years ago)

I talked to Craif Finn today. The Hold Steady and U.S.E. are touring the West Coast together, cuz they're both 'party bands'.

― Mike Dixn (Mike Dixon), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 04:07 (twenty years ago)

EXCELLENT article/tour diary! A must read

I talked to Craif Finn today. The Hold Steady and U.S.E. are touring the West Coast together, cuz they're both 'party bands'.

AW SLIME!

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 04:15 (twenty years ago)

(Okay, now's the time to ask, is 'AW SLIME' new slang or just something I've missed?)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 04:19 (twenty years ago)

It's not just new slang, it's Le Coq slang!

― donut debonair (donut), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 04:36 (twenty years ago)

The Hold Steady and U.S.E. are touring the West Coast together

Matos, did you hook this up?!?!?!?!

By the way, I totally expected the U.S.E. album to shrink on me in the past couple months, kinda like M.I.A. has, but it's a thing of timeless beauty.

― Pete Scholtes, Tuesday, 19 April 2005 14:57 (twenty years ago)

Matos, did you hook this up?!?!?!?!

I was about to say, he gonna be the MC?

"Matos here! ENJOY THIS BAND! Yeah!"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

Wow, those two bands together = I get choked up just thinking about it.

― Scott CE (Scott CE), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 15:10 (twenty years ago)

I didn't hook up nothing, but I am pretty happy about the pairing, obv.

And Peter: the album is fucking MAGNIFICENT (though I don't feel like M.I.A. has shrunk at all for me).

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:03 (twenty years ago)

I don't know why people always expect the big happy fun stuff to diminish with time. I find that it never does, but melancholy music almost always fades a bit for me.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:46 (twenty years ago)

I still don't get the Hold Steady. I'll give it another try, but they just sound like an American bar band version of McLusky to me. I like the McLusky-ish aspects, but I kinda prefer the undiluted real deal.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:48 (twenty years ago)

I finally heard a track ("Emerald City") and it wasn't what I expected at all! Much more song-y than I thought it might be. I liked it though and will hear more.

― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:53 (twenty years ago)

hint: LYRICS LYRICS LYRICS

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:53 (twenty years ago)

(that's for Perpetua)

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:53 (twenty years ago)

If that's the case then there's no chance for me, Matos! I only ever seem to hold good lyrics against songs I don't really like, it's the entire reason why I dislike Berman from the Silver Jews. (Ha, or most Bob Dylan!) In my mind, a bad song with bad lyrics is better than a bad song with good lyrics.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:56 (twenty years ago)

they're good songs w/good lyrics is the thing, though

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 21:58 (twenty years ago)

a bad song with bad lyrics is better than a bad song with good lyrics

wait, i was with you up until this point. how is that possible?

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 22:02 (twenty years ago)

I just can't seem to connect, Matos.

Jaymc, I find good lyrics in bad songs to be frustrating. It makes me think that the effort in the writing was misplaced, or that the lyricist should not be writing songs but instead writing poetry, fiction, or whatever else. Bad songs with bad lyrics are easily dismissed, and the complication of good aspects to bad or mediocre work is aggravating to me.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 22:07 (twenty years ago)

yr loss, dude

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 22:09 (twenty years ago)

I just tried again and it sounded a little better. I don't think they suck or anything, it just doesn't really work for me. It's one of those things that seems like something I ought to enjoy, but just don't. The Decemberists are exactly the same way.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 22:53 (twenty years ago)

I think that's fair, but I will also say that when people come around on Craig Finn, they tend to do it in a MAJOR way as a rule. Either way, the shows w/U.S.E. should be ridiculous.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 19 April 2005 23:09 (twenty years ago)

party people EP gonna be available online anwhere?

hold steady + U.S.E. tour looks like the best thing ever; really wish the US wasn't as, feasibly, as far away as the moon.

― etc, Wednesday, 20 April 2005 05:07 (twenty years ago)

Aliens can visit from the moon.

I'll have to see this tour so I can finally digest the Craig Finn Experience.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 20 April 2005 05:09 (twenty years ago)

three weeks pass...

MATOS GETS JUKEBoX JURY JIGGY WITH USE!

― donut debonair (donut), Saturday, 14 May 2005 21:40 (twenty years ago)

Good stuffage. :-) (My distinction between USE and AWK up top of this thread still holds.) I like the reaction to Annie there. So are Of Montreal really all that, then?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 14 May 2005 22:14 (twenty years ago)

it is a death cab for cutie fan's idea of how to improve on daft punk
-- artiste (theartist...), August 30th, 2004.

Hey wait, did Matos use this as a guide for the Jukebox Jury, then?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 14 May 2005 22:18 (twenty years ago)

I did not. And the Of Montreal song certainly is--the album's pretty terrific as well.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:10 (twenty years ago)

Hmm, will keep it in mind. I thought they were a bunch of Elephant 6 style feebs.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:13 (twenty years ago)

I thought they were too, Ned. Have they somehow evolved?

― jergins (jergins), Saturday, 14 May 2005 23:18 (twenty years ago)

They are Elephant 6, they've always been OK-ish, and now they're a lot better than that. Ned will still probably dislike them.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Sunday, 15 May 2005 00:37 (twenty years ago)

Hey if they finally got their act together and stopped dwelling in the 'aren't we so evolved and interesting?' trap too many of their cohorts got bogged down in -- fucking Olivia Tremor Control (but I'll spare you) -- in favor of actually creating good songs and performances that assume music didn't die in 1971 or something, then roxor.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 15 May 2005 05:36 (twenty years ago)

can i chime in and say i was NEVER a fan of of montreal or their "cohorts" and i really like the new album?

― s1ocki (slutsky), Sunday, 15 May 2005 15:48 (twenty years ago)

of montreal were never as reverent as olivia tremor control. it was more like an elementary school pageant in the old days. i still say they haven't changed all that much except for adding different elements to their sound probably mostly due to his making the records off on his own now like he used to do. as a synthpop album it is hard to compare it to other synthpop records because he crams so much into the songs and icy is probably only applicable to a few of the more minimal songs at the end. it took me a few weeks to love whereas I used to love everything he did instantly but i love it now and renounce the nonsense i wrote about it a few weeks back.

― keith m (keithmcl), Sunday, 15 May 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

I still have that particular Of Montreal song on my site, you really should check it out. It's one of my favorite songs from this year and I never was very impressed by them before. I think the USE guy really nailed the song too.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Sunday, 15 May 2005 19:42 (twenty years ago)

that jukebox jury was great - todd edwards! I would've liked to have played them some cut copy, though.

― etc, Sunday, 15 May 2005 23:21 (twenty years ago)

Yes, Ned, I had the same idea about Of Montreal and then I a) heard "Disconnect the Dots" and b) heard them IN THE EXACT SAME CONTEXT as U.S.E. did (i.e., watching them from the sidewalk at SXSW -- I said, "hey, aren't you guys U.S.E." and then proceeded to talk to Derek for 10 minutes), and I was like, hey this is kinda fun! And dancey!

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 16 May 2005 05:41 (twenty years ago)

it's super dancey. that song is BEGGING and PLEADING to be mixed into Justus Kohncke's "Timecode."

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Monday, 16 May 2005 05:46 (twenty years ago)

Which one, Matos? "Disconnect the Dots" or "Wraith Pinned to the Mist"?

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 16 May 2005 05:49 (twenty years ago)

i.e., watching them from the sidewalk at SXSW -- I said, "hey, aren't you guys U.S.E." and then proceeded to talk to Derek for 10 minutes

Hahah. I love how small the world is. Did they get all excited you recognized them?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 16 May 2005 05:55 (twenty years ago)

Well, they were definitely bemused -- I told them that I had just seen them two weeks ago in Chicago.

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 16 May 2005 06:04 (twenty years ago)

"Wrath"

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Monday, 16 May 2005 08:59 (twenty years ago)

sorry, "Wraith"

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Monday, 16 May 2005 08:59 (twenty years ago)

three months pass...

I see they're touring again. LA date is Monday September 19 at the Knitting Factory.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 28 August 2005 22:48 (twenty years ago)

three weeks pass...

they killed it last night! barely anyone at the show! they're playing tonight at cinespace!

― huell howser (chaki), Tuesday, 20 September 2005 20:17 (nineteen years ago)

I'm going to catch them in Idaho next month, where I'll go out on a limb and predict that the attendance is similar.

― Mr Deeds (Mr Deeds), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 03:23 (nineteen years ago)

anybody going to catch them in San Diego (at casbah) on weds?

― tylero (tylero), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 03:33 (nineteen years ago)

Picked up the album the other day for cheap and I'm pleasantly surprised by it. I found it a little funny at first that all the songs basically seem to use the same instruments as "Emerald City" (those opening chimes come up like four times), but really there's a lot of variety.

― Vinnie (vprabhu), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 17:31 (nineteen years ago)

I feel like "Climb The Walls" is hardly praised here, and I think it's their best song, so there's my shout-out.

― billstevejim (billstevejim), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 21:17 (nineteen years ago)

i was totally avoiding it cuz of the horrible name, but a copy showed up in my mailbox last week (i assume they're touring again soon, hence the late promo) and it's actually not bad at all.

― ken taylrr has gone off the internet because of you (ken taylrr), Wednesday, 21 September 2005 21:19 (nineteen years ago)

four years pass...

Anyone heard the new album, Loveworld?

― M. Grissom/DeShields (jaymc), Monday, 26 October 2009 23:28 (fifteen years ago)

four years pass...

'It Is On' came on random today. Had completely forgotten about that one.

― monoprix à dimanche (dog latin), Tuesday, 16 September 2014 09:44 (ten years ago)

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