It is not easy to pigeonhole The Dance Party. They’ve created a genre all their own. It’s kind of an electronic rock with a dash of 80’s new wave for flavor. Some may describe it as power pop but one listen to their first full-length album Touch, out September 28, will leave you trying to find a place for these Washington DC natives to fit.
Embracing the mantra of “sex, drugs, and rock & roll,” The Dance Party made their way to Los Angeles last July where they found a label in Hell Ya! Records and a home at a Hollywood strip club called Crazy Girls. For any other band this would seem excess or a little cliché but for The Dance Party it was an oddly perfect fit.
It wasn’t a constant party for the band; Touch is the result of their time in southern California. Long time fans of The Dance Party will be no strangers to the album’s first track “Sasha Don’t Sleep,” the infectious dance tune has been part of the band's repertoire for a long time. This powerhouse will no doubt be the album’s first single.
That dance music high continues through most of the album making it virtually impossible not to move while the album’s playing. Only the power ballad-esque album closer “Disappear” will allow a break from dancing.
“Snake Eyes” offers a catchy riff and some heavily 80’s inspired keyboards. Its sexy innuendo and inoffensive lyrics puts it on the table as the potential second single for the band. Even soccer moms can get on board with this one.
The first half of the album (or side A if you will) offers the strongest tracks both musically and lyrically but tracks like “Carpe Diem” and “Golden Touch” (which declares early that we “go get awesome”) offer an impressive finish to Touch. In the past The Dance Party's recorded music was lacking-leaving a listener less inclined to check out more from the band or see a live show. Touch has removed that stigma leaving us with a proper representation of who The Dance Party is as a band.
The Dance Party will make their triumphant return to Washington DC on Friday, October 1 with a CD release show at the Rock & Roll Hotel, a few tickets are still available. The show starts at 9pm so come prepared to dance late into the evening.
Comments