March 26, 2007 | Posted by mark at 11:22 AM

Jealousy is Just A Sin

Hallelujah the Hills - Hallelujah the Hills (Fight Song).

Another cold overcast morning in Los Angeles and I'm using the fight song to get my ass out of bed. This one does really well for me. I wasn't born in Vermont, like the narrator, but I was conceived there - does that count?

I wish all bands had fight songs. I love it when bands have songs named after themselves. It seems like a no-brainer to me. Why not announce your presence as a kick-ass band with a sick fight song? Fill the stage with players and have some fun while you're at it. That's what Boston's Hallelujah the Hills do, and they're great at it. It's all Rental's style Moog workouts, cello blasts and bouncing melodies.

It's not often that we get bands from Boston these days, but when they come around they are undeniably from Beantown. I can't quite explain what it is about the sound, but there is a quality to the music that could only come from Boston. I'm into it (having lived there for a few years probably helps but isn't necessary).

The album, Collective Psychosis Begone, is fantastic. I listen to it pretty much all the time these days. Most of the songs are more mellow than this, based around cello and negative space. They just signed to Misra, and I'm pretty sure the record comes out in June sometime, so you'll have to wait a bit. But those of you in NYC can go check their show at the Mecury Lounge tonight. I hear nothing but good things about the live show. They play super early (7 p.m.).

Comments

Sounds like Death Cab for Cutie, but more instrumental. I love this.

Posted by: Erin at March 26, 2007 5:09 PM

"Sounds like" is code for "I am too lazy to make an expressive critique." For the record, the Rentals comp is closer than Death Cab, but neither fits -- comparisons never do, unless you're noting how Joey Ramone worshipped at the altar of Phil Spector. He did. That's more a factual observation than a comparison, so it gets a pass.

This song is fine, but it's no defining moment. If you name a song after yourself or vice-versa, it has to be Really Fucking Good. This one was a fun little indiepop trope, but that's hardly earthshattering.

Posted by: wcw at March 27, 2007 5:58 PM

wow -> dude, get a life

Posted by: heyhey at March 28, 2007 7:46 PM

I kind of agree with HeyHey here. In all honesty, this is not the strongest cut on the record, but it's the one the band wanted me to post. So that's that. There's moments of real beauty and grace on the record, with an expert use of negative space not often seen in your typical indie pop records. And they also have these fun sing-along jams.

but thanks for your two cents wcw.

Posted by: robot mark at March 28, 2007 8:23 PM
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