An exclusive first listen (in progressive streaming format, formatphiles!) to the new, new Fight Like Apes single ‘Something Global’ which is released on July 13th for digital download and on limited edition CD of 1500 numbered copies on July 18th. The single will also feature ‘Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues’, (a Mclusky cover) and ‘Knucklehead’ and is taken from the forthcoming untitled album due on September 26th on Model Citizen which was recorded in Seattle in May with John Goodmanson (producer of Death Cab For Cutie, Bikini Kill, Pavement) and the artwork is by the one and only Loreana Rushe.
So what of the song? ‘Something Global’ is a 3 minute stomper. Flapes version 1.1, just tweaked to sound cleaner and shinier but with a large menacing bite safely intact. A barrage of wailing, rushing synths ride along a bolting beat. May Kay is in fine form ordering someone to “Give me my hook!” as if she is threatening to take a blade to the curtain of fashionable bullshit. The Ape invasion starts here…
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Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
Top track! Pity the album release isn’t sooner
Ya great track
Any idea if the album will have tracks from the eps?
I’ve heard that they have re-recorded versions on it but I’ve no confirmation on that.
Sounds a bit different than what I expected but exciting news about the album!
Yup, there will be tracks from the EP’s including Jake Summers and Do You Karate?…
some parts different, some parts familiar… I was a bit offput at first but then I immediately went to press play again when it ended. This album should be interesting!
its ‘Mclusky’, by the way (from a fan). Really pleased about a recorded version of that song.
Great stuff – 2008, The Rise of the Ape
Nice to have you back Nialler!! Interesting fact, the weird bear in the artwork is based on a costume in the anthropology section of the British Museum in London. Its worn by South American miners who dance in honour of the Devil during a diabolical festival. It doesn’t normally involve table tennis though.
Tune is barnstorming too. I heard some demos of the other stuff. I think we’re looking at a seriously strong long-player from the Apes. Nice one.
Cracker of a track and really looking forward to the ultimate release.
A much cleaner sound to their grittier sounding EPs. Great song. I got a feeling there will be better tracks to come though…
Fight Like Apes are good but that is a terrible, TERRIBLE song.
“something different, something whoah, something trendy at the mo.”
shudder.
I actually like the lyric Colm singled out above. There is a lot of tricksy internal rhyming in this song, and surely that lyric is meant to be taken as biting. Maykay is not actually inferring that she wants “something different, something woah, something trendy at the mo.” Is the lyric not taking the piss out of bandwagon jumping scenesters and therefore meant to sound laughable?
Yeah I get it. But it’s their song, their hit-about-being-a-hit that isn’t one, so the jokes on them.
I get the lyrical irony with the song (given that they’re often accused of being an fashionable over-hyped pop band). But unfortunately, in order for that to work the song has to be really, really good, and quite frankly, this is absolutely awful. It sounds like piss poor American ‘Emo’. Whats the bloody point of it? Any semblance of originality has dissapeared. This may do well in Ireland on the back of the hype, but its never going to make any indents abroad.
Step aside Dirty Epics, we have a challanger for the worst ‘Emo’ soundalikes in Dublin…
[quote post=”1227″]Step aside Dirty Epics, we have a challanger for the worst ‘Emo’ soundalikes in Dublin…[/quote]
Hey! I’m no fan of the Dirty Epics but that’s totally unfair. I’m sure there’s a better Irish emo comparison to be used. Anyone???
[quote post=”1227″]Step aside Dirty Epics, we have a challanger for the worst ‘Emo’ soundalikes in Dublin…[/quote]
Mike i cannot believe you have put Dirty Epics and Fight Like Apes in the same comment box, never mind calling them EMO?
Are you for real????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(cue never ending question marks and exclamation marks)
Ok the Dirty Epics comparison is unfair.. Its kind of mean to insult Dirty Epics by comparing them to this. I apologise.
I stand by the Emo comment. This is bloody awful. For the record, I’ve liked what Fight like Apes have done up to this point, this is just a real dissapointment though. I’m still struggling to believe my ears.
her voice sounds great on this, pretty poptastic! go apes
the term ’emo’ really shouldn’t be allowed on the interweb, unless you’re talking about small towns in Co. Laois.
I reckon there’s going to be a lot of argument about slick sound production on the new Apes record; personally I wouldn’t mind a grittier sound, but they are meant to be a pop band – however alternative. As long as it’s got bite in it somewhere, I’m good.
Ii’s defo a cleaner sound it does grit it up towards the end. Theres also a hint of emo-ism that cant be denied but arguably everything has some emo in it! I agree with gabbagabbahey with regard to the sound on the album.
personally i dont love the song but ive listened to it quite a few times since yesterday so i guess theres something there…
it’s a bit meh to be honest…
[quote post=”1227″]personally i dont love the song but ive listened to it quite a few times since yesterday so i guess theres something there…[/quote]
It’s called Pop. Move along sir. :0
[quote post=”1227″]It’s called Pop. Move along sir. :0[/quote]
oooh thats a bit harsh!
I jest. No malice intended. But I betcha that’s it..
No I disagree! just because you like something you think you shouldnt doesnt make it Pop!
No offence taken! however i was burned!
The treatment on the vocals is horrible. Makes it hard to hear it as anything other than neo-pop-punk. It’s not a terrible song, and I’m sure it’ll come across better live, but given the recorded product… not sure I’ll be buying it.
[quote post=”1227″]No I disagree! just because you like something you think you shouldnt doesnt make it Pop!
No offence taken! however i was burned![/quote]
Why shouldn’t you like the song? I was suggesting it was the poppy /catchy elements of the song that brought you back to it even though you said you weren’t too fond of it.
The treatment on the vocals is horrible. Makes it hard to hear it as anything other than neo-pop-punk. It’s not a terrible song, and I’m sure it’ll come across better live, but given the recorded product… not sure I’ll be buying it.
the production is well off – please tell me this is an unfinished mix…
personally, i “shouldnt” like the song because i agree with nearly all the constructive negative comments above. There are a number of reasons i returned to the song but i dont feel the catchy/poppy “hooks” were a prominent factor.
i should probably start digging up now!
Don’t know much about these guys but it sounds very Avril Lavigne to me..
…Avril Lavigne covering ‘Mambo No. 5’ anyone?
[quote post=”1227″]…Avril Lavigne covering ‘Mambo No. 5′ anyone?[/quote]
nail on head.
Una pointed out the two other songs from the single are on their myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/fightlikeapesmusic
The outright cynicism and cleanliness doesn’t suit them, I prefered the b-movie surrealism of the earlier recordings.
Disappointing if its a taster of whats to come.
nothing wrong with critical comments I guess, but is this the famed Irish begrudgery rearing its head?
Vote Yes to the new FLA album! (just heard the two new tracks on their Myspace, and they’re pretty good, esp. the Mclusky cover which is EXCELLENT)
gabbagabbahey,
i can’t speak for anyone else, but to be honest i really think those new recordings are not a patch on their previous releases
i dont think the new stuff that we’ve heard has reached the heights of lend me your face or jake summers or do you karate but i reckon theyre not bad at all. not every song on every album can blow you away
Knucklehead is the superior track. Just switch the name on the cover in your minds.
I really think Knucklehead is one of their best songs. Heard most of the album and its SERIOUSLY good!
[quote post=”1227″]But unfortunately, in order for that to work the song has to be really, really good, and quite frankly, this is absolutely awful.[/quote]
your opinion buddy (and a pretty negative one at that), not everyone elses’…
I quite like the Flapes!
[quote post=”1227″]I’m sure there’s a better Irish emo comparison to be used. Anyone???[/quote]
myspace.com/emilymusic
I must have a completely skewed opinion of what emo is, cuz i wouldn’t call this emo at all…
Also, some one up yonder in the comments said “whats the point of it”.
I wasn’t aware music was supposed to have a point.
Anyways, i like this. MOVE ALONG.
I’ve got their 2 EP’s, the 12inch Vinyl (signed) and been to see them loads. They are probably one of the most relevant bands I’ve followed in the last while and then this….I’m disappointed.
Its just not a good song. I think its what the band thinks the bubble gum chewing, record buying mass market wants to hear – Something Nice.
The Dirty Epics comparison isnt that unfair given this song. Hopefully there is better to come. At least we have the first 2 EPs.
FLA can do better. I know it and I bet they know it too.