Tempo No Tempo

Let's start by clearing up that equivocal name: The answer is "tempo." Definitely tempo. Kinetic cadences are this young Berkeley band's biggest asset, and a youthfully hyperactive energy powers their self-released EP, The Get Down. What's interesting about the record is that there's nothing particularly interesting about it-- no nested mythology, no broadcasted back-story, no musicological innovation, no David Bowie hanging out at their shows. It's fresh-- as in "enthusiastic"-- but it's certainly not new, and at a time when blognoise and self-promotion tend to resonate longer and louder than the music they tangentially relate to, it's refreshing to hear a young band playing vigorous songs without too much hullabaloo about why and how they're doing it.
If I were Tempo No Tempo's publicist, I would have to say that they're blending their influences into something uniquely their own. But since I'm not, I can level with you-- Tempo No Tempo are blending their influences into something uniquely collective. This is only a crime if you subscribe to the view that there's such a thing as original art, although even the most cursory survey of human creation reveals a fertile history of borrowing, re-imagining, and outright theft. I prize innovation, but not to the detriment of the well-crafted artifact. The internet's endlessly expanding cultural record has ample room for both.

The Get Down's simple pleasures are a fine entry in the latter category, evoking Bloc Party and Q and Not U with its poppy dancepunk flavor. It's a jagged, melodious blast from start to finish, and it's marked by a sort of good-natured urgency. If it has rough edges and a certain ingenuous quality, these are mostly endearing, and it's a respectable first effort. "A Different Weapon" cranks up with a halting disco rhythm and a jumpy guitar melody; cheerful keyboard accents flesh it out and singer Tyler McCauley's throaty yelp sounds fit for mean karaoke renditions of Joy Division. "Plus the Wolf" evokes Thunderbirds are Now! with its jittery guitar whorls and synth sound effects, taking a more slantwise approach to the band's breakneck momentum than the defiantly linear "A Different Weapon". The sumptuous synth peals on "Static" are reminiscent of Maritime's, but Tempo No Tempo favors pummeling overdrive above that band's glittery updraft, although a touch of that emo-cum-new-wave sensibility manifests in the whirling siren-lights of "State of Emergency". In a world of broken molds, it's easy to forget about the pleasures of enthusiastic formalism; Tempo No Tempo are here to remind us. (Brian Howe, 3/12/2007) - pitchforkmedia.com

Tempo No Tempo are Berkeley crew; Alex Kaiser on drums; Chris Cadena on Keys and vocals; Jason Wexler on Bass; and Tyler McCauley on lead Vocals and guitar; sharing with the world a pop sound you can dance to, a dance sound you can certainly rock to and a rock sound you could pop to.

'The Get Down' is the bands 2006 debut EP, a mere slice of what the band are capable having been together just two years. Opening track 'A Different Weapon' and 'Static' see an infusion of rhythmic guitar, bass and keyboard hooks. Track 'Plus the Wolf' heads off in another direction with a rockier dance sound matched by Tyler's more ruggedly spoken vocals, building into a layered synth. rock sound.

'No Yes No' returns to a more indie rock sound, at times anthematic, with the potential to be one of the most requested track at live show perhaps where the band can go wild with it. In abundance of melodic hooks, track 'State of Emergency' akin to the sounds of UK bands such Bloc Party and Maximo Park is likely to be another crowd mover and pleaser. Final track 'Enemy' heads into a more elusive finger clicking, head grooving direction displaying the diversity of style that Tempo No Tempo have to offer.

For a young band 'The Get Down' provides a mere lowdown on what the band are about; diversity, ambition and creativity. You are sure to want to keep an ear out for their, no doubt, instant progression - http://www.fatampmusic.com

Tempo No Tempo have 5,105 profile views on Myspace on the day this review was written which is November 1st, 2006. Think of this as a time-capsule because these homeboys are about to kick it real good. Their debut self-released album is an extremely strong freshman breakout for them. This whole ..screw the record labels, we can do this stuff ourselves.. mindset seems to be working for some bands. (See CYHSY) Tempo No Tempo seem to execute all the good stuff by themselves with only the help of a few people. Now you are probably wondering what they sound like, right?

Well they sound pretty delicious. A delicious pop-rock sound that picks your feet up and forces you to jump up and down and dance like the cool kids from the Charlie Brown cartoons. Okay so maybe you won..t be able to pull some crazy dance moves like they can but you will be dancing and you will like it. Tempo No Tempo is pretty comparable to Wolf Parade but in the end they even manage to separate themselves from Wolf Parade pretty well. The vocalist does a really good job of keeping his voice fricking crazy and, with added quirky lyricism, it makes for something really great. The four piece manage to craft some really fast songs that have numerous layers of synths, guitars and drums. Not one of their songs slow down the scary dance party.

Tempo No Tempo manage to emulate some styles they..ve heard before and turn them into their own music. It definitely shows that they..ve became very comfortable in what they play and they aren..t afraid to be creative. It..s going to be really interesting to see what this group of young and talented individuals can throw at us next. I bet your ass that they will further separate themselves from the pack and continue making some really catchy tunes in the future.

- http://www.ampcamp.com

"Berkeley's Tempo No Tempo brew the kind of steaming caffeine-punk I
never get tired of when it's well-prepared, but then, I drink way too much coffee. The ironically titled "Static" can't sit still for an
instant, tweaking hard on a multi-varietal cup, beans blended from the heavily farmed growing regions of Thunderbirds are Now!, Gang of Four,
and Q and Not U. Yeah, it's dance-post-punk all over again, but you know you still crave it.

Like good baristas, Tempo No Tempo pull their shots hard and fast to
deliver a compact and effective dosage. Ripe synth peals careen into a
driving guitar blur and galloping bass (instantly establishing the
track as an even jauntier version of Maritime's "Tearing Up the
Oxygen"). It's all about momentum from here, an on-rails yet
perilously teetering shimmy, guitars bombing down straightaways or
slashing through laddering vocals. "Nothing's going to change," Tyler
McCauley howls. S'cool; ain't broke."
-Brian Howe, pitchforkmedia.com 1/24/07 - pitchforkmedia.com