FML with We Are The Pipettes x3

Let’s rewind to March 2007, just before Canadian Music Week. My friend approaches me while a small group of us are waiting for a class and he’s got a copy of the Toronto Star in his hands. He goes on to say that we have to check out of the bands coming into town. I’m pretty bleh about it and ask to see the paper. I flip through and see this picture:

Call me shallow but from seeing that picture, my head told me to get to know who these girls are. My friend goes on to tell me that they’re The Pipettes. He could’ve said something else about them but I can’t remember. The next thing I know, I’m on a scavenger hunt on the internet finding everything I can about these girls. I found out that they were from the UK and figured out that Canadian Music Week should be called Music Week in Canada.

The first thing I looked for were their names. Gwenno, Becki, and Rosay. Easy enough! Also, not nearly as confusing as those super-groups in Asia especially since each of them were completely unique from the get-go. I think the first music video I bumped into was for Pull Shapes and was blown away with how much awesome was in that track: the dance, the style, the music, the everything. I definitely got a Beatles and Monkees from the 60’s kind of feel from the musicality. The lyrics, though a bit more modern, still had that playfulness and child-likeness to them which makes this kind of music so easy to listen to. The trio really takes advantage of each member with their harmonies and different layers of vocals.

But anyway, they were to be playing at a small restaurant and my friend and I called in the day before the show asking if there were any tickets left but sadly, there were none. We still ended up going downtown that day. I was kinda hoping that we’d bump into them but we didn’t and ended up watching 300 at the Scotiabank Theatre. It didn’t take them too long to come back and give me the opportunity to see them live. I do believe it was June 1st, 2007 and again on November 18th of the same year. 3 visits to Toronto in a year. We were spoiled. With the first visit, I got them to sign my UK release of “We Are The Pipettes” that I got shipped. On the second, I got them to sign my NA release. Also, RiotBecki said she remembered me. But then they kinda disappeared for a bit and said they were going back to the studios. Then Rosay and Becki left. Then two new girls came, then one of them left, and now I don’t know what’s going on with them more. :( I did manage to pick up that vinyl in LA while down there for my cousin’s wedding in the winter holiday season of 2007-08.

But on with the album commentary. I’ll be using the US release for this “review”. While writing the above, I’ve sat through the album twice already. It clocks in at just shy of 40 minutes, including the bonus tracks that weren’t included in the UK release. The longest track clocks in at 3 minutes and 8 seconds, “A Winter’s Sky“. Overall, it’s quite easily one of my favourite albums of 2007.

And in no particular order, my favourite tracks and a little commentary on each. Pull Shapes would have to be my favourite, not because of the music video or because it was the first video I saw of the girls, but because of its simplicity and the makes-you-want-to-dance factor. Dirty Mind’s lyrics make me lol. Also, dance factor. Judy features Rosay and her awesomeness. ‘Nuff said. ABC is just cute and energetic and again with the dance factor. I Love You is more of a sentimental song for me but is still completely danceable. Dance And Boogie makes me want to dance and boogie. There’s not that much more to it than that.

If you’re looking to enjoy some music reminiscent of the swingin’ 60’s with some girly attitude, check out this album. It’s sad though, you won’t be able to experience this group of girls live anymore. I do look forward to if the Pipettes of new end up visiting Toronto.

And just thought I’d add this in because it’s cute…