Turns out that this is exactly what I needed this Thursday night: gentle, wistful electro-pop, and an aqua-aerobics video to boot. Midwest Disco indeed.
Des Moines, Iowa is something of a celebrated town. And it isn’t just that it’s one of the insurance company capitals of the world; it’s also because it’s a town that a lot of Presidential hopefuls call home when they begin the campaign trail. But much more interestingly than that, it’s the place where Maids come from. Not cleaning maids, no, but electronic popsters Maids.
They’ve stolen a high-pitched drum machine from 1987’s keynote track, “I wanna dance with somebody (who loves me)” (Whitney Houston never better than that) and spooned that on top of rubbery/fuzzy/squelchy beats. The track progresses in its disappointed reflection on a love that wasn’t as good as once hoped, while a clutch of bleeping melodies slip and slide around the vocals and drums. Singer Danny Heggen (also fronts Seedlings) has a cute habit of occasionally crooning out of the corner of his mouth – Billy Idol-meets-civil servant ? – and electronics warlock Mickey Davis (Is Home Is) bops around behind his casio. And in the pool shapes are thrown before the band join them – divebomb natch ! – for a charming moment of “real people” in the midst of the video.
If you happen to be in the Hawkeye State, you can catch Maids supporting Har Mar Superstar at the Des Moines Social Club (Kum & Go Theater) on 5 April.
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