Les Savy Fav
Les Savy Fav is a crazy sight to behold. Since 1995, the New York five piece, led by the insanely talented (and just plain insane) Tim Harrington has made some of the most dynamic and triumphant post rock to date. Now, as an institution with over a decade of antics behind them, Les Savy Fav is still utterly epic. After a seemingly unbelievable two year hiatus, Les Savy Fav returned in 2007 with their most accomplished and ambitious album yet, Lets Stay Friends. It’s an easy enough request, and one that Fav fans had no trouble fulfilling.
Aside from Harrington's legendary on-stage antics, from audience fraternizing to Orangutan impressions to full costume changes, the group is known for Frenchkiss Records, officially formed by bassist Syd Butler. What started as a simple enough way to control their musical independence has grown into one of the most recognizable and superb labels around today. Thank you, Les Savy Fav, for keeping it real.
Beginning with their debut, 3/5, Les Savy Fav have excelled at danceable and noisy rock that is both extreme and identifiable. Their follow up, The Cat and the Cobra, took things to the next level, naturally. Their noise became louder and denser, with Harrington‘s vocals center stage, backed by intensely schizophrenic and syncopated indie pop. Their EP, Rome(written upside down) is still one of the best albums of last century, just sneaking in before the 21st century took hold, depending on who’s counting. That EP was infamously followed by Go Forth, an elaborate and daring concept complete with artsy interludes and thumping rhythms.
Along with Harrington’s recent exploits in episodic oddity, also known as Beardo (it‘s worth the search) Les Savy Fav have the energy and excitement of those all to eager fresh faces trying desperately to emulate them. As Harrington himself puts it, "Let's tear this whole place down and build it up again. This band's a beating heart and it's nowhere near its end." CHARLIE SWANSON
