Fake Band, Real Music
Fred Armisen, former SNL cast member and part of the comedic genius behind IFC show, Portlandia, clearly has dreams of musical stardom. Throughout his comedic career, he has formed a few parody bands as creative outlets to curb his need for musical expression. Last year, Armisen released a collection of singles created by a few of the bands. His latest “fake” band, Blue Jean Committee, is a groovy, soft rock outfit that makes very real music. Drag City released Blue Jean Committee’s new EP, Catalina Breeze, on November 20, 2015.
The Blue Jean Committee is inspired by the doe-eyed stylings of classic 70s rock bands like America and Seals & Crofts and are apparently “products of the late 70s Northampton, Massachusetts music scene.” In the Blue Jean Committee, Fred Armisen, an accomplished drummer, is the guitar wielding frontman responsible for lending his angelic vocals to their lighthearted songs. Recruited for his adept bass skills and unapparent falsetto was fellow former SNL cast member, Bill Hader. A hilarious ongoing gag of the band involves Hader lip synching backup vocals while a female sings his part offstage.
Along with the new EP, the band will be appearing in a pseudo-documentary depicting the fictitious journey of the classic rock band. But the album isn’t all fun and games. As far as soft rock goes, the music is far from a joke. Blue Jean Committee captures the essence of bands such as The Eagles and Steely Dan with their catchy hooks and multi-part harmonies. The eponymous track is a jazz infused folk rock song that immediately pleases the ears. Armisen’s lyrics are perfectly ridiculous, “A barstool intellectual, with a Masters Degree in small talk, and going to the movies.” “Walking Shoes” is a whimsical folk acoustic track reminiscent of a Pure Prairie League song that is over much too soon.
On the seven-track EP, some of the songs sound so real that they could be a part of a parent’s vinyl collection, while others seem like brief ideas that could be taken further. It’s understood that the band isn’t real, yet the quality of the content causes a need for more. Fred Armisen and Bill Hader, though hilarious, should seriously consider dropping everything and pursuing music.
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