T.H.E.M - Bang

Do you ever listen to a cd that makes you feel dirty but in a good way? "Bang," the long anticipated deput from indie dance scenesters T.H.E.M., is a flirtatious blend of industrial techno, electroclash, and rock combined with an inspired sense of humor and filth - think Junior Senior crossed with My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult and a taste of Fisherspooner for an idea.

The guitar-based "Let Me See Your Underwear" kicks off the album with a burst of energy and infectious hooks that are amplified by a catchy, vampy chorus. It's the kind of party record that everyone from frat boys to goth-kids will sing along to. "I Wanna Take You Home" continues this vibe injecting a sense of B-52's campiness with the playful verses and the "ba ba ba" chant.

THEM stay true to their 80's roots with their inspired cover of Bananarama's lost hit "Wild Life." By injecting it with a bit of the electroclash vibe, their reinterpretation adds energy and gives the song an autobiographical feel. The 80's vibes flow with "There Goes My Heart Again" sounding like a lost New Romatic club hit and "The Girl on the Run" which would fit well on a New Order greatest hits CD.

The more straight forward electroclash tracks are a bit more hit and miss with "Here We Go" and "Spectacle" suceeding where "You" and "Black Leather" seem to be a little less well conceived.

If MTV wasn't corporate controlled and actually had music programming, the video for "Let Me Be Your Underwear" would be a Buzz Clip and an M2 staple. The video, included on the enhanced cd, spoofs everything from Gap commercials to 70s porn and captures the frenetic energy and essence of Thee Human Ego Maniacs.