I found a CD in my pile today that I haven’t taken for a drive in a while, Colour Music‘s f, monday, orange, february, venus, lunatic, 1 or 13.
Three or four years ago I caught a live set of theirs in Des Moines–opening for, and destroying, British Sea Power–and it left an impression so strong that I actually wasn’t able to bear listening to the recorded substitute. If you can’t relate, you can’t relate, but for those of you that can, let’s just say the second track, “Put in a little gas,” ruled. It ruled really hard. And unless you were there, you’re just going to have to take my word on that.
Not so on the album version, or so I thought when I got home and put it in my stereo, years ago. But I wasn’t being fair. It was too soon. Colour Music en vivo is now far enough in my distant memory that I’m able to listen to f, monday somewhat more objectively. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I’d discovered the bizarro version of The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society. It’s a fun soundtrack to these memories of the band–dressed in white jumpsuits with custom patches on the left breast: a spectrum, their insignia–just pumping it out at the Vaudeville Mews. Flashing white lights, clean white uniforms. Forgive me this last reference, but if you’ve seen the Iowa City band Hott!, imagine a band full of Ed Nehrings. Indeed, it almost was too much.
It’s hard not to be corny when you do something theatrical, but when you pull it off as Hott! and Colour Music do, and the dance floor buys in, you have yourself a very memorable party. I’m having one in my living room right now.
The early aughts were dreary. Rightly and fairly so, but dreary nonetheless. Colour Music was a revelation, or to put it more dramatically, a harbinger! of art rock heading in a more danceable direction. Fast forward to Wolf Parade at the Englert last night. The swagger is of a different style, but it’s cut from the same hyper creative cloth. It might be a darker section, rightly and fairly so, but it’s still danceable.
Still I really thought by now more people would be talking about Colour Music. So here I am, talking about Colour Music. Forgive me, I have no information on the band’s current activities. But I’m happy to report that I am dancing in my living room to an album they recorded several years ago. I know that I thank them then, but this is a brand new revelation. So, once again, thank you Colour Music.
