White Denim - Workout Holiday

White Denim
Workout Holiday
(2008, Full Time Hobby)
RIYL = Tiger Bear Wolf, Women, rock n’ roll

Let's not beat around the bush. White Denim is probably one of the most overly hyped yet still underrated bands in indie rock. I don’t get it. Why is there not more people jumping on the bandwagon? Is it because their hometown blog, GorillaVsBear, seems a little too intent on proclaiming the band’s genius to the world? I always thought there must be some kind of pay relationship going on there, but then I buckled down and finally listened to Workout Holiday (one of two full length albums released last year that basically equate to the same thing, give or take a couple songs) and promptly acknowledged that these guys are the real deal. My interest was actually peaked last year after seeing the band open for the yawn-worthy Tapes n’ Tapes. The energy these guys brought to the show was absolutely awesome and more than made up for the lack thereof from the headliners. Workout Holiday carries that same live energy into the studio/garage/bedroom. The album is simply bursting sweaty grit-filled enthusiasm that is inescapable. It’s simply consuming. Before you know you’re neck will be sore from all the head bobbing, your arms sore from air guitaring and your legs will be sore from dancing to this manic concoction. Really, White Denim deserves to be uttered in the same breath as indie rock luminaries like Wolf Parade, Arcade Fire and TV on the Radio; they’re of that class. The more I listen to this the more I am addicted. Every instrument is strong here: thick, fuzzy bass lines, intertwining guitars lines and riffs, inventive drumming; its just great rock. Soulful in parts, bluesy, yet filled with a snicker and a snarl to induce emphatic, spastic Rock Bandisms (seriously, what’s the point of playing rock band if not to act like a total idiot?). All and all, White Denim have set themselves up for success. There is no way these guys can stay subterranean for long; in fact, it’s only a matter of how long it takes them to record a follow up to Workout Holiday.

-Mr. Thistle