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TV Eyes:
She's a Study (12" single)
A preview of the bands upcoming electroclash album (TBA), the Shes a Study single is equal parts its creators (guitarist/vocalist Jason Falkner, drummer Brian Reitzell and keyboardist Roger Manning), fusing 80s-inspired electronica (think Tangerine Dream) with a modern pop sensibility. The title track combines the best of both worlds, producing some inspired songwriting along the way (hooks abound and a soaring chorus). Hearing Falkners familiar boy-wants-girl musings over Reitzell and Mannings jittery, dance landscape is an interesting juxtaposition, and perhaps wouldnt work if the band took themselves too seriously; but luckily it all seems to be delivered with a wink. The B-side, "She Gets Around" is more abstract lyrically, with emphasis being placed on a driving rhythm/synth section. When verbal fragments that sound like the musings of a bored socialite float in over the mix, it gives the song a detached quality. Its blas tone balances out the song's "house" tendencies, adding a bit of depth and humor with a mere couple lines of dialogue. No release date has been scheduled, but its unfortunate that the album will no doubt draw cries of "bandwagoners" from hipster naysayers. Yet, there's enough here to distinguish TV Eyes from your standard retro act (especially if one has seen their live show). That should be obvious, given each band member's history and their collective musical vocabulary. Falkner fans will recognize his familiar pop tendencies and sly humor, but will also be surprised to see him stretching himself in ways not seen on his previous solo work. Reitzell and Mannings synth beats are far more aggressive here than on their cool, detached contributions to the Lost in Translation soundtrack, but within the confines of standard pop structure, they take the music to interesting places. Like The Rapture at their most danceable, its both forward-thinking and fun. *Shes a Study wouldve made an excellent theme song for a Michael J. Fox movie in the eighties had he made more films like Bright Lights, Big City.
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