Innerpartysystem - The Download EP

[Steve Henderson]

Innerpartysystem – The Download EP
Release Date: August 30, 2007
Record Label: Stolen Transmission

I think it is safe to say that the dance/electro-rock craze in the scene is on its downward stroke, and before long will be remembered in much the same (less than fond) way as nu-metal. Now, while generally rather harshly maligned, nu-metal did produce some pretty good acts that ended up transcending the flood of copycats and the natural churn in listener preferences. And when you fast forward a few years, it is not tough to imagine dance-rock in that same sort of setting. The majority of groups will have fizzled out while a few linger on. If there is any justice in the world, Innerpartysystem will be one of the bands to rise above the fade.

The thing that sets Innerpartysystem apart from its contemporaries is the way the band is not afraid to get a little dirt under their fingernails. While most electro acts focus so damn hard on being that squeaky clean soundtrack to radio-carried drives in Volkswagen Jettas, IPS has the kind of music that elicits emotions above the inoffensive satisfaction others are content with. The band really takes the best of The Killers’ Hot Fuss and puts a harder edge on it – both musically and lyrically. From the concussive beat on “Don’t Stop” to lyrics that proclaim, “The selfish blood runs through my veins/ I gave up everything for fame/ I am the life that you adore/ I feed the rich and fuck the poor,” it is clear this is no Brandon Flowers tribute band. That sublime brand of grit carries over into the frenzied, fuzzed-out energy of “Heart of Fire” and the devilishly catchy “The Way We Move.” The latter is undeniably danceable and would not sound out of place in the slickest of clubs, but it is not the “hey you’re cute – let’s go dance!” type of cut. It is the “get drunk and sweaty and make bad decisions tonight” sort instead. And with the excess of Nickelodeon-friendly offerings out there right now (I’m looking at you, Hellogoodbye), it is nice to strip away the lustrous sheen every once in a while.

Simply put, Innerpartsystem’s The Download EP is some of the raddest shit I have heard in a long time. There are plenty of records I have liked over the past few years for their musical merits in a much more traditional sense. IPS has that of course, with soaring hooks and bombastic beats. But it also has so much more - the band makes music that resonates with the most disillusioned of listeners. Personally, it makes me want to dance like an idiot and pick a whole bunch of fights at the same time, which is a pretty intriguing mix of emotions. All I can recommend is that you check out this EP and see what it does to you.


Joy Division, New Order, The Killers, new AFI, Nine Inch Nails, The Faint, Shiny Toy Guns

[Steve Henderson]

Check it:

http://www.myspace.com/innerpartysystem

[Circoheeve]

I love this I saw them at bamboozle the ep is awesome

[tacosforcharles]

You never steer me wrong Steve, so I'm definitely going to check these guys out. Sounds like some good music.

[Steve Henderson]

You never steer me wrong Steve, so I'm definitely going to check these guys out. Sounds like some good music.
Tell me what you think...

[lightcollapse]

are you serious? dance/electro is down in THIS scene, but the one it's developed is bigger than this scene altogether.

[Steve Henderson]

are you serious? dance/electro is down in THIS scene, but the one it's developed is bigger than this scene altogether.
Try rereading my first sentence.

[sowrongitsryan]

The video for "Don't Stop" freaks me out but it's still an awesome song. Thanks for reviewing this

[GiggsOho]

Awesome review for an awesome band, and an even better group of dudes. By the end of this year, this band will be on the tongue's of everyone on this site. Great, great, great band.

[lightcollapse]

Try rereading my first sentence.
I don't care if you're talking just about this scene, saying dance/electro is down in any sense is ridiculous.

[Steve Henderson]

I don't care if you're talking just about this scene, saying dance/electro is down in any sense is ridiculous.
I'll wait for you to give examples.

[scenesfromatony]

I'm not even slightly into this kind of music, which is why I avoided listening to this band. But after numerous recommendations I caved, and I have to say I love it (could be a nod to the transcending quality you referenced in your review.) I'm seeing them next Thursday with The Urgency and Young Love, so I'm very interested to see what they bring live (heard it doesn't disappoint). Good review, glad to hear that I'm not on a slippery slope towards this sound, maybe just found a gem in the pile.

[Steve Henderson]

I'm not even slightly into this kind of music, which is why I avoided listening to this band. But after numerous recommendations I caved, and I have to say I love it (could be a nod to the transcending quality you referenced in your review.) I'm seeing them next Thursday with The Urgency and Young Love, so I'm very interested to see what they bring live (heard it doesn't disappoint). Good review, glad to hear that I'm not on a slippery slope towards this sound, maybe just found a gem in the pile.
That is exactly the way I feel towards this genre/band.

And PS - I hear their live show in insane...check out some youtube vids for proof.

[shellbot]

the live show is spectacular. everyone really should pick up this ep. and i believe the full length is out sometime in september????

[tacosforcharles]

Tell me what you think...
Blasted it while I was mowing the lawn, and I must say, it caught me off guard. The chorus's are huge, the beats are awesome, and the lyrics were surprisingly good. Definitely a band on the rise, I look forward to a full length.

[Steve Henderson]

Blasted it while I was mowing the lawn, and I must say, it caught me off guard. The chorus's are huge, the beats are awesome, and the lyrics were surprisingly good. Definitely a band on the rise, I look forward to a full length.
:thumbup:

[Ultragrrrl]

great review! thanks so much for loving this EP so much!

[Cameronisonfire]

Great band and great guys. They killed it at SXSW and I cant wait to see them again. I would even pay money next time!

[KingsCrossing]

This band will be huge.

[AsItFallsApart]

steve, were you the one who posted their sxsw video (yeah i'm too lazy to check)? if so i owe you a beer for getting me hooked on them back then. such an awesome band, and nice review- as usual.

[Gregory Robson]

Not your best review by any stretch, but at least it gets me familiar with this band.
IMO, those lyrics you quoted about "feeding the rich," weren't all that spectacular.
Sounded contrived and a bit like sensationalism but that's just my ten cents.

[Gregory Robson]

Not your best review by any stretch, but at least it gets me familiar with this band.
IMO, those lyrics you quoted about "feeding the rich," weren't all that spectacular.
Sounded contrived and a bit like sensationalism but that's just my ten cents.

How cool is it that Ultragrrl is part of AP.net?

[BalancingacT]

Come now, not even one downloading joke? What a letdown...

Good review, though. I should get into Innerpartysystem.

[Steve Henderson]

Not your best review by any stretch, but at least it gets me familiar with this band.
IMO, those lyrics you quoted about "feeding the rich," weren't all that spectacular.
Sounded contrived and a bit like sensationalism but that's just my ten cents.
It's not their most profound lyric, obviously. My intent was to show that it is not the type of thing you often hear in dance rock, which is a gathering of usually soft, empty cliches.

[Maxwell]

I might go watch these guys in Cardiff end of this month.

[Heart-A-Tact]

Shit, this sounds awesome. I feel like I need to pick this up now. Great review.

[Steve Henderson]

Shit, this sounds awesome. I feel like I need to pick this up now. Great review.
If you do, I'd like to hear what you think!

[Matt008]

These guys are amazing, I can't wait until their full release

[sell the sunris]

Personally, it makes me want to dance like an idiot and pick a whole bunch of fights at the same time, which is a pretty intriguing mix of emotions.

Exactly how I felt the first time I heard this band.

I fucking love these guys and I'm glad to see them getting some love on here. I think they exemplify what it is to use electronic music yet not fall into the traps of laziness most techno/dance/pop outfits fall into. They structure their songs perfectly whereas many groups allow the instrumentals to wander vocals-free a few minutes with a repetitious beat that's not altogether good to begin with and their obvious rock influence strengthens the songwriting aspect and allows for a completely fresh take on a decaying genre.

[Keith21]

And PS - I hear their live show in insane...check out some youtube vids for proof.

yeah, it is amazing. these videos are better than anything i've seen from them on youtube. check it out.
http://ursession.com/urCONTENT/view?id=16874
if you scroll down, there are 4 more vids. decent quality, imo.

the live show is spectacular. everyone really should pick up this ep. and i believe the full length is out sometime in september????

9/9/08

[lightcollapse]

I'll wait for you to give examples.

justice - one of the biggest bands in the world right now? the millions of blogs that report on solely electronic and house and dance music every day? www.hypem.com? there are millions of examples.

[WhiteLies.]

Good review. I heard about these guys a few months ago and really dig 'em.

[Co and Ca]

I'm not really into the whole electronic/dance genre, but this EP owns. I thought of them as a guilty pleasure at first, but now I think of them as a pleasure. I'm excited to see what they do next.

Oh yeah, good review.

[Steve Henderson]

justice - one of the biggest bands in the world right now? the millions of blogs that report on solely electronic and house and dance music every day? www.hypem.com? (http://www.hypem.com?) there are millions of examples.
You just proved my point. One band that is sort of big? An other sites that post about bands OUTSIDE out our scene? Exactly.

[lightcollapse]

You just proved my point. One band that is sort of big? An other sites that post about bands OUTSIDE out our scene? Exactly.

justice is not 'sorta' big. they're one of the biggest music acts in the world right now. i could name thousands of dj's, and then other groups like mstrkrft, etc. these guys are all selling out massive clubs and stadiums for raves/events etc. unless you're completely out of touch with the music scene outside of small sites like ap.net, there's no way you could make that statement.

[Heart-A-Tact]

If you do, I'd like to hear what you think!

I picked it up, and the review was pretty spot on. Thanks man.

[Bwillscirca87]

i got the EP about a week ago and cant stop listening to it. i heard they are playing in louisville soon, im going to hav to check it out

[sargentlgfuad]

my favorite new bands.

[lushintransit]

In my eyes, everything this band does is golden.
I'm dying to have the full-length in my hands already.

[tmitch1109]

Hey Steve, great review man! I picked this EP up around 3 weeks ago and its been in my playlist ever since. I'd have to say that Heart of Fire is my favorite track. Can't wait for the full release! :thumbup:

[weworemasks]

You just proved my point. One band that is sort of big? An other sites that post about bands OUTSIDE out our scene? Exactly.

every date on justice's US tour sold out.

have you heard anything off of ed banger, kitsune maison, iheartcomix? la riots? mstrkrft (ex-dfa1979)? bloody beetroots? simian mobile disco? chromeo? crystal castles? digitalism? calvin harris? diplo? cut copy? boys noize? le castle vania? spank rock? girl talk? santogold? 95% of the shows i've been to from these artists are 21+, and they are ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS packed.

as far as websites go, don't even get me started on the blogroll for electro. it's endless. you don't know anything.

edit: sorry for the heavy namedrop post, but it had to be done to prove a point.

justice is not 'sorta' big. they're one of the biggest music acts in the world right now. i could name thousands of dj's, and then other groups like mstrkrft, etc. these guys are all selling out massive clubs and stadiums for raves/events etc. unless you're completely out of touch with the music scene outside of small sites like ap.net, there's no way you could make that statement.

he is definitely out of touch. look at his 2008 top music list. everything is covered on this site.

[zachff]

Check it:

http://www.myspace.com/innerpartysystem

You had at me at "Similar to... Shiny Toy Guns"

[MBIIdollaBill]

ok wtf is wrong w/ nu metal? slipknot, godsmack, old linkin park, deftones...these are all respectable bands, so y has it become such a cliche to bash on nu metal bands? honest to god, i dont get it!!

[MBIIdollaBill]

ok i read beyond the sentence dissing nu metal... i guess u all can ignore my previous rant

btw i forgot to put korn on the list of gud nu metal bands

[absoluut]

can't complain about any tracks other than the standard production quality