The F--- Buttons are a Bristol, England duo of experimental musicians whose debut album "Street Horrrsing" is quickly burning a hole in the indie scene. Whether it's lengthy paragraphs singing their praises or clipped phrases denouncing their efforts, everywhere you turn, it seems like people are talking about the F--- Buttons.
So what is all the fuss about? And are they worth the hype?
The band's members - Andrew Hung and Benjamin John Power -- appear to be garden variety indie guys. They're tragically hip, sporting what is now the standard uniform of the indie scene: the military-style cap pulled low over the eyes, ultra tight jeans, a plain hoodie and a bright t-shirt. In interviews, they express love for Kurt Vonnegut, the Stooges, Sonic Youth and Rough Trade Records.
They separate themselves from the pack with their musical style and unorthodox techniques. In live shows, the Buttons will filter their vocals through a child's cassette player and run their drum program through a Gameboy Color.
If you are just a casual listener, you will strongly hate "Street Horrrsing." But for those with patience and an ear for experimental noise, the F--- Buttons are going to be your new favorite band.
The band attempts to create diverse, engaging music that rises above the sea of indie laptop rock. Its collage of tape loops, clashing beats and blistering unintelligible vocals make for some of the most compelling and intelligent music of the year.
"Street Horrrsing" is a record meant to shock you out of your 21st century malaise. It's a record for anyone who goes about their daily life with a sense of unfulfillment and a sense of emptiness. Some parts of the album seem to come from the deepest, darkest parts of the human imagination, but perhaps it is merely a product of the times.
The album opens with the soothing bells and effects of "Sweet Love For Planet Earth," which then builds to buzzing and soul-retching screams. The music is mild and optimistic yet directly confrontational. It can remind you of the joy on a young child's face or an act of terrorism within a few seconds.
"Sweet Love" fades into the album's shortest track "Ribs Out," which is also one of the album's most frightening songs. It's four minutes of echoing screams and pounding tribal drums. (The other songs all clock in around 10 minutes each.) The song is very reminiscent of the eerie soundtrack to the 1980 exploitation film "Cannibal Holocaust."
"Bright Tomorrow" is, as the titles implies, a more optimistic song. It conveys that there is hope, that life will get better.
During the album's closing track, "Colours Move," you once again feel as if you have stepped into a jungle. The sounds swirl all around, mixing in midair. The tape loops mingle and then fade out again.
Once you remove your headphones, you feel as if you have tinnitus. The ringing persists for several minutes, but when it fades, you are left with a sense of wholeness and fulfillment. You have been resurrected, born anew. You are now ready to conquer the world.