The Black Box Revelation

For my first post, a band that I am genuinely surprised is not more known, given the praise it receives by those who have heard of them.

Belgium, for a country usually known for its chocolate, actually pumps out a considerable amount of good music. This is a group that actually received a moderate level of success in Belgium(by the standards of this site, meaning that their songs were played on the radio and they toured outside the country), although none of this tiny amount of fame has reached anywhere near me.

They play a gorgeous style of garage rock, bringing back memories of the early days of rock. The songs themselves are a heap of fun, very catchy guitar riffs and a voice that falls into place like a jigsaw piece. A perfect summer band, the lyrics are shallow and child-like (I almost question their mastery of the English language, either they are as meaningless as they first appear or there is some kind of incredible profound meaning hidden between the lines), but this is not a band you listen to for meaning. This is a band you listen to to enjoy yourself, to dance around the room to.

Nothing more than an 18 year old and a 16 year old with a guitar, drums and a voice, the sound that they create is incredible. A sound they describe as 'a runaway train, combining the best ingredients of idols like Led Zeppelin, The Datsuns, The Rolling Stones, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Stooges'. Which actually does a nice job at it.

I highly recommend the songs 'Set Your Head On Fire' and 'I Think I Like You' from their debut album 'Set Your Head On Fire', both can be heard on their myspace.

On a more personal level, I have made a fan out of some of my friends, and I can also play the start to 'Dollars Are Sweet They Say' on the guitar.

Well worth checking out for any fan of light rock with pop elements, catchy lyrics and good old fashioned guitar.

After further examination it seems they have gotten half a paragraph in Playboy magazine. These guys have practically gone mainstream.

Why?

I enjoy a lot of music that is completely unheard of, especially where I live. All of it is good music though, so like practically everyone else I thought I might just try and make the world a better place and try and introduce people to it.

All of the bands mentioned share the following traits:

• Never played on an Australian radio station
• Unknown by everyone I have met
• Have released at least a whole album, single or EP. Demos do not count.
• Have been listened to in full by myself and judged to be deserving of publicity.
  

I dont really expect to make a difference, to help these bands explode into the spotlight, but if I can help just one person find their favourite band, it will be worth it. Anyway, the important bit is that I try.