Faker - Hurricane

Sun 16th Oct, 2005 in Music Reviews

The following statement is absolutely factual. ’Oooh la la la’ is a very fun phrase to sing. Maybe I’ve taken a bit of artistic license here, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. 

Faker’s latest single Hurricane, otherwise known as the oooh la la la song, on first listen, seemed a bit weak, especially in comparison to some of their other songs like The Familiar, Kids on Overload and Quarter to Three, but after a few listens the oooh la la la’s just roll off your tongue and next thing you know you’re doing 80s wrist pumping actions a la lead singer Nathan Hudson.

Hurricane is taken from Faker’s debut album Addicted Romantic and opens with a Strokes-esque drum beat teamed with jagged guitars, and a thumping bass line. After a short first verse, Hurricane builds up, ready to take on anything in its path and the chorus begins:

‘Hurricane’s gone to school
La la la, Oooh la la la
Hurricane breaks the rules
La la la Oooh la la la
Hurricane makes it good
La la la Oooh la la la
Hurricane knew you would’

The next two verses of Hurricane are the best lyrically with a fun, anthemic ring to them, perfect for screaming from the shadows of the crowd at a live show. After seeing Faker this weekend I can say this for certain. 

‘I’ve got new shoes
Intelligence included
I fit right in
Still I somehow feel deluded’

This made me wonder, did Hudson buy new shoes and already had intelligence, or were the shoes and intelligence a package deal?  ‘Cause if they were, I want to know the shoe shop. I know a few people lacking intelligence, who could probably do with some new shoes. I mean, what’s with wearing high heels to TAFE or Uni?  I don’t get it.

‘I’ve got bad news
I’ve never felt included
I try too hard
Still I somehow feel deluded’

This version of Hurricane has been remixed by Tim Whitten who has previously worked with Powderfinger, The Panics and Art of Fighting. Alongside the title track are three previously unreleased songs – Spectacular Memory, Model Citizen (Idiot Town) and a cover of Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer.

Faker has a lot going for them. Nathan Hudson writes catchy power pop-rock songs fused with ‘80s sounding guitars by Phil Downing and Stefan Gregory, tight drum beats by Paul Berryman, and let us not forget Nicholas Munnings’ all important bass lines.

Now, the Yellow or White pages to find this shoe shop?