Music
Press
"...dark, danceable, synth-pop [that] occupies a musical purgatory between New Order and Nine Inch Nails," - Guitar Player Magazine
"'Come On, Feel It' is effortlessly romantic and sexy..." - Alternative Press
Baumer hail from Columbia, South Carolina but from the sounds of their new album, Were It Not For You you would never know it. Their synthed out sound has more in common with celebrated European bands like New Order and Kamera. These Europhiles have their brand of dance-rock down to a T on this album. Frontman Nate Boykin, like The Killers' Brandon Flowers, even sings with a heavy British accent for full effect. Being that they hail from the American south, this affectation probably is for the better. I don't really see a South Carolina twang working to well with this kind of stuff anyway.
Most of the songs on Were It Not For You are trimmed to down to their bare essentials. With tracks as infectious as "On Our Way" and "Don't Panic" gracing the album, keeping the song lengths shorter was a wise move. In fact, your focus never wanes and you'll find yourself singing along to the first-class hooks instantly. Unfortunately, the production by D. James Goodwin falls a bit flat. Bringing in a mixer like Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode) next time would help bring out the kind of luster this songs call out for.
Carlos Ramirez
- Altsounds.com
‘Tronicas aren’t hard to figure out. They usually contain robotic tendencies, encourage some sort of dancing, and reminisce New Order. Sometimes this works great, sometimes it becomes a disaster and a half. Sometimes the synth sounds snotty and cliché-industrial, and sometimes a ‘tronica is clever, snappy and a situational winner. Baumer is decidedly the latter. Were It Not For You off Eyeball Records is a smooth as a butter boogie down beat, and it wisks along from start to finish with watertight transitions and impeccable punches of percussion.
But where do you go when the party is over? ‘Tronicas, like this sexy synth number, are often disposable, like a one night stand or a Dixie cup. What is very obvious with Were It Not For You from starter “In Your Stead” is that the synth is going to be big and detailed. Operating in a more refined, classier taste than cheap, slutty synth arrangements (see She Wants Revenge and Jonezetta's "Bringing It Back Tonight"), Baumer brings about a sophistication in the typically throwaway dance-pop genre. The rumbling, hip hop beginning of “Hard Drug” sequencing into the full-sized stampede of guitars is a capturing take. Many layers later, and Baumer tracks are stocked and complete. This also gives Were it Not For You more credibility and lasting power than a shallow tryst, and it also lets me concentrate on more than what's next, like silver-piped vocalist Nate Boykin. My biggest, and pretty much only, reservation with the album is its lack of tempo variability; there is only one fully slower-paced track – the title and last song on the record - and with Boykin being such a silky raconteur, it’s bang-up passionate and hooking. Bring me more of these.
Here's another reason why I've fallen smitten with these South Carolina slickers: Baumer is a walking, record-releasing sex bomb, and they aren't even trying to get my panties off, which is ten times sexier. “On Our Way,” my hands-down favorite, has stunning harmonies and a light-headed melody; Boykin’s modest-toned singsong on this track give Baumer their second definitive ‘tronica edge. This applies to the lyrics as well, which are all about love but different sorts. “Lucky Strike” is about wafers of smoke and that sweet drag. “The Belmont Curse” is a religious number, and “Sidewalk Stopping” uses NYC streets and shopping bags as a romantic gesture. It’s another a fresh cut in this Dixie-cup managed genre. All of this, plus the lush synth/guitar combination, give Were It Not For You a lot more worth than any dance album would yield by standard. I can even say I’m a bit surprised; I didn’t think Baumer would last so long.
But I think that’s because there is a trick. Spend a little more time with the album than you think you would, and it’ll sweet talk you, at least “On Our Way” or “Were It Not For You”. Nice guys finish last? Yeah, and Baumer is waiting and patient.
- Absolutepunk.net
Discography
WERE IT NOT FOR YOU (3/4/08 - Eyeball Records)
Come On, Feel It (2006 - Eyeball Records)
Photos
Bio
If someone asked you to describe what truly represents today’s modern rock movement, what would you say? If you had to pick one album that encompasses all that makes music so personally exciting and inspirational, which would you pick?
In today’s current musical landscape, many bands attempt to create their take on a straight-ahead, definitive rock album, but few bands, if any, pull this off quite like Columbia, South Carolina’s BAUMER.
Formed in 2004, the four members of BAUMER, and their home-base Eyeball Records, could quite possibly be preparing the release of what may go down as one of the most powerful and truly epic albums of our generation. Drawing influences from bands like New Order, Nine Inch Nails, or The Cars, BAUMER take the sound of electronic power rock to the next level, representing, much like the aforementioned bands, a future of music we have not yet seen. Most closely and often compared to today’s contemporaries Muse or The Faint, BAUMER creates an album so amazingly slick and balls-to-the-wall, accompanied by their dizzying array of time signatures, it is almost impossible to deny the sheer brilliance of the band’s latest “Were It Not For You.”
Much like the band’s 2005 album, “Come On, Feel It,” “Were It Not For You” is the soundtrack to a late night dance party that ends in a passionate love affair with the girl across the room. Standout ballads like “In Your Stead,” will blow your speakers and your mind, and will unquestionably remain stuck in your brain for the rest of your life, “Hard Drug,” which sounds like what The Smiths would produce if they wanted to rock the f*ck out, is a swirling and spiraling, gorgeous track that will likely end up on many best songs of ’08 lists, “On Our Way,” which should be the soundtrack to all those kick-ass days when you feel at the top of your game, and “Lucky Strike,” a monstrous rock track that proclaims “Love, you say it calms your nerves, love, steals your head as it burns, you say it’s cool and keeps you thin, this one’s done, light one up again” will give any listener the chills and is oozing with sexual innuendos.
Bottom Line: BAUMER rocks with an unbridled ferocity that sounds like the band must have twenty members exuding this monstrous and unmatched supremacy. Introducing the future of music, and your new favorite band.
While essentially Baumers freshman effort, Come On, Feel it is in no way immature. Baumer have made an album as cohesive and concise as anything by a band with twice its experience. Boykins confident vocal inflections soar over tasteful arrangements that combine a perfect balance of drums, synths, guitars, and electronic beats. Furthermore, if Baumers infectious melodies dont become ingrained in your head, the lyrics sure as hell will. It doesnt have to be perfect like a movie scene / Love is almost always accidental sings Boykin in Denouement, a song that is both observational and heart-felt.
However analyzed, Baumer is nearly impossible to ignore and will turn any living room, office or car into an instant party. So, turn it up and get your dancing shoes because Baumer is red hot, and Come On, Feel It is an unstoppable album.
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