So, this isn’t me hating on them, because I do like them, their songs are genuinely funny, catchy and technically proficient. These guys are clearly very skilled musicians, especially the drummer, to be able to play complex rhythms like that for a sustained period require enormous stamina and musical dexterity.
However, if you are of a certain proficiency, looping guitar parts and layering them up like that is relatively straightforward once you get the hang of it. To me this sounds like two skilled guys drinking beers and goofing around. I wouldn’t be surprised if they played in a much more “serious” band full time, and this is just a fun little side project that got out of hand.
Yes everyone mentions King Crimson or King Gizzard, but to me those are different beasts, it’s much easier to play with a looper rather that a full 15 piece band à la king crimson, that’s moving forward rather than repeating.
Ask yourself this: without the polka dots and giant penis nose would they have gone viral at all, or would they have been dismissed as just another generic noodling jazz band out of touch with the Current Thing?
How about let people enjoy what they want to enjoy and if you’re an aficionado, say “Hey if you like these guys, check out ___” rather than spewing bitterness? This is not directed at this essay but the AP conversation in general.
Love them. And I’m waaaaaay north of 35 (unfortunately). Fun - and it looks like they’re having fun - plus genuinely accomplished. Refreshing, as you say.
I’m a music elitist over 35 and my considered opinion on adp is: I don’t enjoy listening to it. But I’m glad everyone is having their little arguments about it
I stumbled upon Angine de Poitrine on YouTube because it hit my feed and I enjoy watching music videos. Being part of an experimental music collective (we use synths, sequencing, and drum machines), I really dug what they were doing because I love weird music. The duo have amazing chops, too. And the costumes they wore were brilliant and certainly drew attention. If they came to town, I'd go see them play.
This a great piece that makes me want to give them another listen. I’m in the older camp, a serious musician, but unaware of the ecosystem of contemporary criticism and haven’t engaged with any takes on this group other than yours. You make some good points here, but one thing I think you might consider is your assessment of music theory as an artificial construct… The names of notes, modes, chords, etc- the ways we describe music are an agreed upon convention. But at the core of music is mathematics, something universal, maybe even divine. The theory is pointing at it as best as it can, but it’s describing something that’s fundamentally true. Maybe that’s too abstract, but I felt I’d offer the thought for consideration…
Truly their sound just speaks to my ADHD brain and their gimmick takes it further. As you said, antithetical to AI slop. I'm pleased we can still see new music like this because it shows that there is still possibility to make something new and cool in a world where everything feels solved and/or metabolised by LLMs.
Their sound is FINE. The look is weird, though not exactly French-David Lynch-weird. Papier-mâché heads, polka dots, complex gear, no stage banter. It’s good theatre, and fair play, because playing that tightly while dressed like Muppets is no small thing.
Still, my strongest reaction was basically: "well done getting through that set with all the gear on." I had a similar response to that clip of the big pink mascot thing going absolutely feral on the drums. Technically impressive, visually funny, briefly delightful, then NEXT.
Also, small mercy: at least we’ve moved on from everyone talking about GEESE. Now, I fucken love that album, but even brilliant records can get nervous when the discourse keeps circling them with a clipboard and a raised eyebrow.
But the real spectacle is the reaction. Something human, skilled, strange-ish and not obviously AI-slop broke through before the explainers had their clipboards ready, and suddenly the whole content caste had to sprint after it, redirecting traffic around an accident they quietly wished they’d caused.
Not revolutionary, maybe. But certainly revealing.
I've been calling them Poutine Latrine for so long now that I forgot their actual name.
From the very start I've said that most of the attraction is to their costume/set design... which *is* amazing. If it was just 2 dudes and a looper pedal, people would be less interested, as that's been a thing for.. decades. The mircrotonal thing, while not new, adds to the mystique of the overall design aesthetic. The entire thing is more spectacle than musical... unless they plan on doing a new aesthetic/sound for each album, I don't really see a whole lot of longevity. It's cool, but def more of a novelty.. which is fine, it just sucks when that seems to be the ONLY interesting thing happening.
I got turned on to this band when they were referenced (in passing really) in the “Weird Studies” podcast. Although their virality was mentioned, I had never heard of them. So I looked them up, was blown away. I genuinely love weird shit like this and yes, I immediately thought of King Crimson. Weirdly, I am reminded of when Devo became popular for a minute. The best these guys can probably hope for is that people forget about them soon enough that they can get back to making interesting music for people who genuinely like such things and don’t take the hype to heart.
That KEXP session is the most fun, original thing I’ve seen in a while.
Terrible music to trick music nerds
So, this isn’t me hating on them, because I do like them, their songs are genuinely funny, catchy and technically proficient. These guys are clearly very skilled musicians, especially the drummer, to be able to play complex rhythms like that for a sustained period require enormous stamina and musical dexterity.
However, if you are of a certain proficiency, looping guitar parts and layering them up like that is relatively straightforward once you get the hang of it. To me this sounds like two skilled guys drinking beers and goofing around. I wouldn’t be surprised if they played in a much more “serious” band full time, and this is just a fun little side project that got out of hand.
Yes everyone mentions King Crimson or King Gizzard, but to me those are different beasts, it’s much easier to play with a looper rather that a full 15 piece band à la king crimson, that’s moving forward rather than repeating.
Ask yourself this: without the polka dots and giant penis nose would they have gone viral at all, or would they have been dismissed as just another generic noodling jazz band out of touch with the Current Thing?
At first I read “dark satanic content milfs” - my interest was piqued
How about let people enjoy what they want to enjoy and if you’re an aficionado, say “Hey if you like these guys, check out ___” rather than spewing bitterness? This is not directed at this essay but the AP conversation in general.
Love them. And I’m waaaaaay north of 35 (unfortunately). Fun - and it looks like they’re having fun - plus genuinely accomplished. Refreshing, as you say.
Not everyone’s cuppa but hits it for me.
I’m a music elitist over 35 and my considered opinion on adp is: I don’t enjoy listening to it. But I’m glad everyone is having their little arguments about it
I stumbled upon Angine de Poitrine on YouTube because it hit my feed and I enjoy watching music videos. Being part of an experimental music collective (we use synths, sequencing, and drum machines), I really dug what they were doing because I love weird music. The duo have amazing chops, too. And the costumes they wore were brilliant and certainly drew attention. If they came to town, I'd go see them play.
This a great piece that makes me want to give them another listen. I’m in the older camp, a serious musician, but unaware of the ecosystem of contemporary criticism and haven’t engaged with any takes on this group other than yours. You make some good points here, but one thing I think you might consider is your assessment of music theory as an artificial construct… The names of notes, modes, chords, etc- the ways we describe music are an agreed upon convention. But at the core of music is mathematics, something universal, maybe even divine. The theory is pointing at it as best as it can, but it’s describing something that’s fundamentally true. Maybe that’s too abstract, but I felt I’d offer the thought for consideration…
Truly their sound just speaks to my ADHD brain and their gimmick takes it further. As you said, antithetical to AI slop. I'm pleased we can still see new music like this because it shows that there is still possibility to make something new and cool in a world where everything feels solved and/or metabolised by LLMs.
Their sound is FINE. The look is weird, though not exactly French-David Lynch-weird. Papier-mâché heads, polka dots, complex gear, no stage banter. It’s good theatre, and fair play, because playing that tightly while dressed like Muppets is no small thing.
Still, my strongest reaction was basically: "well done getting through that set with all the gear on." I had a similar response to that clip of the big pink mascot thing going absolutely feral on the drums. Technically impressive, visually funny, briefly delightful, then NEXT.
Also, small mercy: at least we’ve moved on from everyone talking about GEESE. Now, I fucken love that album, but even brilliant records can get nervous when the discourse keeps circling them with a clipboard and a raised eyebrow.
But the real spectacle is the reaction. Something human, skilled, strange-ish and not obviously AI-slop broke through before the explainers had their clipboards ready, and suddenly the whole content caste had to sprint after it, redirecting traffic around an accident they quietly wished they’d caused.
Not revolutionary, maybe. But certainly revealing.
One of the best posts about this subject I've read. Cheers
I've been calling them Poutine Latrine for so long now that I forgot their actual name.
From the very start I've said that most of the attraction is to their costume/set design... which *is* amazing. If it was just 2 dudes and a looper pedal, people would be less interested, as that's been a thing for.. decades. The mircrotonal thing, while not new, adds to the mystique of the overall design aesthetic. The entire thing is more spectacle than musical... unless they plan on doing a new aesthetic/sound for each album, I don't really see a whole lot of longevity. It's cool, but def more of a novelty.. which is fine, it just sucks when that seems to be the ONLY interesting thing happening.
I got turned on to this band when they were referenced (in passing really) in the “Weird Studies” podcast. Although their virality was mentioned, I had never heard of them. So I looked them up, was blown away. I genuinely love weird shit like this and yes, I immediately thought of King Crimson. Weirdly, I am reminded of when Devo became popular for a minute. The best these guys can probably hope for is that people forget about them soon enough that they can get back to making interesting music for people who genuinely like such things and don’t take the hype to heart.
Hahaha this is exactly what the post is about
Hey, so I'm thinking KEXP the new Peel Sessions.
https://imgflip.com/i/ar74bx