Spring Break
Was (Not Was) is a hit
Maria Montemayor
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment
Not many bands can claim to have collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne, Kris Kristofferson and The B52's, but then again, Was (Not Was) isn't like many bands.
Fresh off a nearly 20-year break, Was (Not Was) is finally releasing a new album, Boo! Keeping with their genre-bouncing sound, the disc offers a range of styles, including funk, jazz and soul. They even throw in some beat poetry. The sound is totally original, and while listening to Boo! you may keep replaying songs just because of how enjoyably different each song is from the one preceding it.
Hitting the music scene in 1981 with a self-titled debut album, Was (Not Was) garnered international praise for their complex and absurd lyrics as well as their genre-bending style. The band consists of Don Was (bass, keyboard, percussion and programming), David Was (flute, harmonica, misc.) who is in no way related to Don, Sweet Pea Atkinson (lead vocals) and Sir Harry Bowens (lead vocals).
Together, with several contributors, including Ozzy Osbourne rapping over electric jams in their album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes, the boys of Was (Not Was) utilize their many musical talents to add a truly original sound that is refreshing in these days of recycled sugary pop and actress-turned-singer culture.
The boys were last heard from in 1992 with a brief stint opening for Dire Straits. However, in 1993, the members took on individual projects and the band took a hiatus. Now, with the release of Boo! the boys are back. Their new offering is a fun, bouncy album that switches styles constantly. Just when they start to sound like a soulful ballad band (such as on "From the Head to the Heart") they change gears to an absurd, beat-poetry-touting group with a message ("Green Pills in the Dresser"). Never at a loss for unusual lyrics, the group spouts off their beliefs on popular culture and current events-they even sing about Tom Cruise.
While the lyrics can range from offensive to downright impossible to understand, each song has a message. The satirical lyrics of the first song on Boo!, "Semi-Interesting Week," are entertaining and insightful. This song covers so much ground, from Scientology to racism, and yet the style is funky and jazzy, prompting the listener to get up and dance.
Fresh off a nearly 20-year break, Was (Not Was) is finally releasing a new album, Boo! Keeping with their genre-bouncing sound, the disc offers a range of styles, including funk, jazz and soul. They even throw in some beat poetry. The sound is totally original, and while listening to Boo! you may keep replaying songs just because of how enjoyably different each song is from the one preceding it.
Hitting the music scene in 1981 with a self-titled debut album, Was (Not Was) garnered international praise for their complex and absurd lyrics as well as their genre-bending style. The band consists of Don Was (bass, keyboard, percussion and programming), David Was (flute, harmonica, misc.) who is in no way related to Don, Sweet Pea Atkinson (lead vocals) and Sir Harry Bowens (lead vocals).
Together, with several contributors, including Ozzy Osbourne rapping over electric jams in their album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes, the boys of Was (Not Was) utilize their many musical talents to add a truly original sound that is refreshing in these days of recycled sugary pop and actress-turned-singer culture.
The boys were last heard from in 1992 with a brief stint opening for Dire Straits. However, in 1993, the members took on individual projects and the band took a hiatus. Now, with the release of Boo! the boys are back. Their new offering is a fun, bouncy album that switches styles constantly. Just when they start to sound like a soulful ballad band (such as on "From the Head to the Heart") they change gears to an absurd, beat-poetry-touting group with a message ("Green Pills in the Dresser"). Never at a loss for unusual lyrics, the group spouts off their beliefs on popular culture and current events-they even sing about Tom Cruise.
While the lyrics can range from offensive to downright impossible to understand, each song has a message. The satirical lyrics of the first song on Boo!, "Semi-Interesting Week," are entertaining and insightful. This song covers so much ground, from Scientology to racism, and yet the style is funky and jazzy, prompting the listener to get up and dance.
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