| CD Review: | |
Louis XIV: New Wave for the 21st Century By Chris Senn
A successful band takes their influences and blends them together to come up with a sound all their own. Louis XIV is one of those bands. Hints of everything from the British Invasion and Punk Revolution to New Wave are evident on their new EP. Illegal Tender, released January 25, consists of five songs that leave the listener wanting more. Louis XIV began in April 2003 and are based out of San Diego, California. Soon after forming they left the United States to record at a friend’s flat in Paris, France. They returned to San Diego to finish up the tracks and released their debut album, Louis XIV, soon after. The band then started their own label and sold over 500 copies of Louis XIV in the first month. Before they knew it they were being played on BBC Radio 1. Back in the United States San Diego radio station 91X got their hands on a rough copy of a new recording, “Finding Out True Love Is Blind.” |
This is the second track on Illegal Tender and is currently all over rock radio. The song is energetic but lets up just enough so the listener can take a breath before plunging back in. The title track is a throw back to 80’s New Wave with handclaps and song structure reminiscent of Iggy Pop and Adam and the Ants. “Marc,” is a tribute to late T-Rex frontman Marc Bolan. The vocals and guitar sound like they were recorded underwater and the song is driven by piano and a choir. Louis XIV already has a leg up in their career. They toured Summer 2004 with the Killers. The band’s major label debut is due this spring. For now we will have to settle for the excellent Illegal Tender EP. GRADE: A- For More Information:
www.louisxiv.net |