Harlem Shakes - Burning Birthdays

Burning Birthdays is exactly how New York City rock should be done—lots of hooks and lots of swagger. The Harlem Shakes’ debut EP showcases a mere five tracks, but the band easily proves itself to be one of the most promising of 2007. The Brooklyn quintet oohs, ahhs and bounces over garage rock riffs, male/female vocals and sunny harmonies that are in opposition to the sometimes dark lyrics within. This is one of those cases where the only complaint about the release is that it’s too short—and that a full-length doesn’t seem to be coming soon enough. Buzz band or not, Harlem Shakes have outdone Arctic Monkeys and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah—both of whom they’ve opened for—in only five tracks’ time. [www.myspace.com]