Comments on: REVIEW: Self-Titled (Champagne Champagne)

By: 206up

206up — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:30:52 +0000

It’s CC’s anti-establishment image that appeals to the hipster crowd. And that crowd is not going away any time soon.

CC are basically hippies. The music sounds like an Andre 3000 solo record (if I had to compare it to something current). Maybe they should try playing different venues; like the Friday nights at Hidmo thing or the community center circuit that the Massline Crew used to frequent. If CC are truly worried about attracting a different fanbase, then that’s the way to go. If they aren’t, then oh well, I hope they’re getting paid!

By: Ace

Ace — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:59:56 +0000

As much as CC preaches against hipster in their songs, it is relative to their position when they wrote it. Things have changed, Pearl was obviously in another place when he wrote this album and I believe that the influences around them today may change their sound on the 2nd album.

If they are so set on not being hipster, then why constantly play shows with Mad Rad & FE?! This is the exact hipster capitol hill crowd that they want to distance themselves from to be considered not hipster? I understand the reality of networking and being in the “circle” as you have touched upon before. However, I really feel CC is misunderstood and quite possibly it’s their own fault. I’ve seen them multiple times before and the majority of the crowd isn’t paying attention to the lyrics at all. Most are just dancing to the beat or staring at the visual spectacle that Sir Thomas Gray is. The beats are very similar to Psmoov’s sound and that doesn’t help. Their 2nd album needs to have an immediate different sound in order for them to get away from the hipster label, which i don’t expect

By: 206up

206up — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:02:02 +0000

Thanks, Nikki!

You’re right, it might be unfair to compare Fresh Espresso to Champagne Champagne. A more accurate comparison might be to THEESatisfaction or other similarly conscious groups.

Regarding the We-Are-Not-Hipsters dilemma: It’s probably a function of the demographics in Seattle — those young people who are really paying attention to the music scene are the ones turning out for CC’s shows. Do you think this frustrates them?

The older generation who have a deep appreciation for someone like Jimi Hendrix aren’t paying attention to the young cats like CC. I presume Jimi’s fans would be the same ones to appreciate the themes of Champagne Champagne’s music, and those folks probably trend toward the aging hiPPIES, not the young hipSTERS. Or maybe I’m not giving the hipsters enough credit!

I dunno, what do you think?

By: Nikki B

Nikki B — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:31:46 +0000

Nice review.

I think the fact that they blatantly dodge hipsterism has them be called it, if for no other reason then the fact that the idea was introduced. I doubt that this would even be a topic of conversation if CC weren’t saying, “we are not mother fking hipsters motha fka! … My nigga!” No disrespect I have wild amounts of love for Champagne Champagne.

I DO think, however, that CC are in a different stratosphere than FE. FE have longer songs that are hook-centric. Less a few tracks on Glamour such as “Something New,” their flow lyrics are usually about things abstract; CC rap about real life — their lives.

ummmm… yeah! Great write up.