Tracks
Georgie James: "Aftermath"
(2006)
By Peter Hepburn | 28 January 2008
DC music scene ain’t dead; DC music scene is just keeping it on the DL. Over the last few years we here in the district have seen the demise of the Dismemberment Plan, Black Eyes, Q and not U, and (at least as far as anyone can tell) Fugazi. It’s been rough, especially watching Travis Morrison and Chris Richards stumble about in search of the rock, which is part of what makes Georgie James such a treat.
The band is made up of John Davis of Q and not U and DC singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn. At face value it seems an odd combination: Davis, the spastic heartbeat on the drum kit of Q and not U, doesn’t seem an entirely natural fit for the waifish yet surprisingly full-voiced Burhenn. Still, Davis has been talking for a while now about moving toward pop, and for Burhenn this allows for a fleshed out, natural sound that moves her away from rote, oversimplified Fiona Apple comparisons. Rather, here we get elements of the Kinks, Beatles, Zombies, and other ‘60s pop elements that seem to have stayed well out of the district for the last 20-odd years.
“Aftermath” is the best of the quieter songs on the Demo at Dance Place EP. A few of the songs get trapped in choruses that never really go anywhere, and Davis isn’t nearly the singer that Burhenn is, but on the majority of the songs on the EP the two are able to carve out simple little pop songs with impressive staying power. Burhenn’s opening verse does fall close to the Apple tree, but her pacing and delivery is impeccable, and Davis complements her through the chorus perfectly. It’s the final verse that sells it, though, as Davis brings in a slight drum tromp, Burhenn elaborates the piano line every so slightly, and the whole emotional weight of the song builds. Sure, they’re still just starting up, but these two could have a lot to do with putting DC back on the map.
The band is made up of John Davis of Q and not U and DC singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn. At face value it seems an odd combination: Davis, the spastic heartbeat on the drum kit of Q and not U, doesn’t seem an entirely natural fit for the waifish yet surprisingly full-voiced Burhenn. Still, Davis has been talking for a while now about moving toward pop, and for Burhenn this allows for a fleshed out, natural sound that moves her away from rote, oversimplified Fiona Apple comparisons. Rather, here we get elements of the Kinks, Beatles, Zombies, and other ‘60s pop elements that seem to have stayed well out of the district for the last 20-odd years.
“Aftermath” is the best of the quieter songs on the Demo at Dance Place EP. A few of the songs get trapped in choruses that never really go anywhere, and Davis isn’t nearly the singer that Burhenn is, but on the majority of the songs on the EP the two are able to carve out simple little pop songs with impressive staying power. Burhenn’s opening verse does fall close to the Apple tree, but her pacing and delivery is impeccable, and Davis complements her through the chorus perfectly. It’s the final verse that sells it, though, as Davis brings in a slight drum tromp, Burhenn elaborates the piano line every so slightly, and the whole emotional weight of the song builds. Sure, they’re still just starting up, but these two could have a lot to do with putting DC back on the map.