Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss are the duo that is Sleigh Bells, who came ringing on in late last year, coming outta nowhere to slay (ho ho *snort* ha) the critics at CMJ with a handful of tracks and a helluva live show, leaving me frothing to find their demos so I could play them REALLY LOUD.
With guitar on overdrive, some hip hop heavy bang in their beats, fuzz and crackle turned wayyy up to filter an atomic kitten cute flavored vocal, Sleigh Bells kick it harrrd. They're infectious and dynamic, and when their tracks drop in, you're immediately drawn by the energy and scuzzy simplicity of it all.
It was never destined to be too long before Sleigh Bells released something more official than the tin shed tracks they've unleashed. That very same tin shed, ramshackle frucked-up-ness being a really big part of the charisma of their sound; I'm praying real hard it won't be glossed out of their forthcoming release...Yes, that's rii-iight! It's entitled Treats and last year's claims of talks with Mamma M.I.A. came good, as Treats is coming out via N.E.E.T; with the whole bloody website currently dedicated to the duo.
So let's take a closer look at why everyone at CMJ - including the Bamboo Banger herself - was abuzz and prepare you for the 11th of May release date.
Responsible for production and guitar is former hardcore rocker Derek Miller, and that occasionally Alice Glassy vocal belongs to Alexis Krauss; who not only used to be a school teacher in the Bronx, but a teenybopper in a band called RubyBlue. Their powers combine with shudderingly good effects, like knocking back a strong black coffee with loads of sugar.
There ain't nothing like those infinity guitars snarling alongside that stomping beat to put a swagger in your step. Yet not forgetting her wannabe teen pop star roots, Alexis takes her own fairy floss sweetness in hand and sucks all the air out to make a sticky, crunchy hot mess - girl sure can work the shit out these tracks.
Somehow, despite all that could go wrong, the atmosphere of Sleigh Bells is just so right. Fun, boisterous, rowdy and yes, sweet too, more obviously so in 'Ring Ring' which takes a sample from Funkadelic.
Rather a subtle use of interpretive dance - I mean, how can you resist it when the vocalist acts out the lyrics they're singing?
The fusion of mad beats and super sweets has had me thoroughly entrenched in these demos, so I'll be waiting with bated breath for Treats to come to light, which was produced by Derek himself (who also did some work on M.I.A.'s own upcoming 3rd LP). Keep your ears peeled for when Sleigh Bells ring - are you listening?
