Pretty Good Dance Moves

Pretty Good Dance Moves
PGDM EP
2008 Self-Released.
Related bands: Musical Outfits, Oucho Sparks, Company of Thieves
Members: Jimmy- vocals, guitar, synths; Aaron- synths, multi-instrumentalist;
Genevieve – vocals
Instruments used: Multimoog, minimoog, mellotron, Hohner pianet, Roland Electribe drum machine, Fender Rhodes, Korg ms200, vibraphone, novation, violin, optigan, and Les Paul custom guitar.
“YOU'VE GOT PRETTY GOOD DANCE MOVES AND WHITE CONVERSE SHOES.”
The mistake you may make in first listening to this e.p. is that it is a collection of catchy, upbeat songs. You are not incorrect in thinking that, but the Pretty Good Dance Moves e.p. is vastly deeper than what appears on the surface. If you were to pick out one song you’d no doubt dig its appealing beats and attractive male and female vocals. You’d realize that this is an electronic band that uses computers as little as possible- they are able to incorporate acoustic elements like the violin, pianet, and xylophone into the mix without anything sounding out of place.
On your subsequent listens, however, you’ll start to realize that this album is far more profound than you originally thought. You’ll start to listen for the meaning behind the music, and you’ll start to get a truer sense of this album. At its essence, this e.p. depicts the stages of grief associated with losing the person closest to you through a heart-rending break up. This album threads aggression, anger, and denial throughout to mask a deeper sense of despair underneath the brave words. On your fourth and fifth time through, you’ll begin to associate with the songwriter, feeling what he’s feeling as the album progresses through anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. You realize the genius of the song placement and you are hooked, totally along for the ride that is Pretty Good Dance Moves.
The album commences with the charismatic titular track P.G.D.M. The repetitive key phrase “I will never understand” puts into words the essence of this album- the inability to process tragedy. The passive aggressiveness of the lyrics reflects the beginning stages of grief – denial and anger. “You say that I need changing to be more like you, so I’m getting rid of everyone – starting with you” shows the writer spitefully distancing himself from his lover and his problems. The haunting Demons Dancing brings us into the bargaining phase. The chorus “come on and dance with me, we’ll shed our demons dancing,” implores the lost one to forget what has happened and come out to play. Ghostly background vocals evoke echoes of what is lost by bringing up childhood memories, trying to get back to when things were right before growing up and heartbreak entered their lives.
60632 progresses seamlessly into the protagonist thinking back on what went wrong and reflecting on how messed up this is going to be: “waiting so long that we forgot the song, we should know how it goes.” Still slightly in denial and angry at times, he is also coming into realization and the depression that it brings. Here continues the thread that is seen throughout the album of repetition, trying to cope, hoping that the repetition will bring a sense of clarity to the tragedy of confusion and doubt. State of Mind has us looking back on the problems that made it not work out– “I’ve always been a bit insane, there was no need for cocaine” and coming into the accepting that it may be time to move on. Slightly up-tempo beats create a feeling of urgency fueled by the desperate attempts to lash out at the person who is the cause of the pain. Circling, repeating lyrics recreate the mindset of trying to understand and accept what has happened.
With the final track The Color Blue we reach the relief of acceptance. The beautiful harmonies intertwined with the plucking of a mandolin string bring us the feeling of calm that comes with surrendering to the situation. The regret, longing, and despair are displayed in the back and forth male/female discourse. The where do we go from here feeling of “tell me what happens now” exhibits the relatable feeling of knowing you can’t go on but must somehow get past this relationship that was incredibly great, but totally fucked up. The album finishes with the female vocals screaming, “I’m over it” in a desperate attempt to sound confident but underneath it seems like she’s just trying to convince herself. The confused mixing of swirly affects and schizophrenic, staccato beats echoes the confused feelings expressed by the lyrics, ranging from confident and upbeat to desperate and lost.
These songs all blend together beautifully. This is not a first attempt e.p. by first-time band members, the deceptive simplicity of this album belies their talent – every element here is polished. Pretty Good Dance Moves are a talented group of musicians who, while starting a new venture with this e.p., have already accomplished a huge feat by making this beautiful album.
ARTIST: PRETTY GOOD DANCE MOVES
VIDEO: P.G.D.M
ARTIST: PRETTY GOOD DANCE MOVES
VIDEO: THE COLOR BLUE
ARTIST: PRETTY GOOD DANCE MOVES
VIDEO: DEMONS DANCING
(PART TWO OF TWO)
ARTIST: PRETTY GOOD DANCE MOVES
VIDEO: MAKES ME CURSE (B-side)
(PART ONE OF A TWO)