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Le Mans
Coldlife in the Fastlane
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Ok, so I’m slowing and rather skeptically starting to acclimate to this emerging genre of music labeled Electroclash. Luckily one of my first true tastes came in the form of “Le Mans,” someone whose sound manages to delightfully infuse elements of post-punk electronic sound, simple yet ever so witty lyrics, blended with mysterious somewhat eerily hypnotic vocals. For the most part I don’t enjoy this genre of music, but without hesitation Coldlife in the Fastlane is so much more than what can be grouped into one lump category. It’s multifaceted, it’s unique, and its sound has a quality that puts it into its own league.
Track listing:
01 Motorlove
02 Datacassette
03 Brainblockers
04 Freek Street
05 Citi de Frag
06 Betamax Disco
07 Deux Flics
08 Candy Corner
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At first listening to the sometimes punk, sometimes body rock, sometimes dance/trance sound I found myself wondering what is this? My assumption was somehow these various artists and musicians had managed to combine the distasteful pop 80’s with the bland 90’s techno, drug induced music into what seemed to be collaboration of the worst part of two sometimes musically challenged decades. However, I was wrong. Overall lack of an arty underground sound is partially what started the movement that many felt was lacking in the musical world. In a nutshell artists and musicians are fusing punk-inspired dance tunes with their passion for fashion and art.
Fashion, art, and music are defiantly passions that play a key role in Le Mans, AKA Jamisin and his colorful background. Primarily, up until now, an actor and model he has been featured in popular music videos, television, films, commercials and currently models for Hot Topic. Even though he has all this on his plate much of his time is spent in pursuit of his musical endeavors, which we can all be thankful for. Le Mans began performing live on Melrose Avenue and rehearsing in various warehouses in downtown L.A. The sound that we hear today varies from the original performances but those are what has become the foundation for the rock hard sound we hear today.
The album starts out with a burst of energy and an intense vibe that would move even the most incapacitated invalid to dancing. “Motorlove” has a tweaked, edgy sound that commands you to move faster and faster, also appropriately stated in the lyrics. I highly suggest listening to this when you’re on your way to work; it somehow energizes you like a shot of espresso right to the veins. “Brainblockers” is another phenomenal, high energized track. On that number Le Mans teams up with Shane Jason and the produced industrial, synthetic sound is dark, spellbinding, and trance-inducing. Shane Jason, a fellow actor, is also featured on “Candy Corner” and goes solo on “Freek Street” which adds another dimension of depth to the album. “Deux Flics” starts with intriguing lyrics “You say your name’s Lana/Enchanted, nice to meet you/ too bad I have to greet you/ with a warrant and a pistol too.” One cohesive element to the album is the lyrics are simple yet ironically they have quite a thought provoking effect to them.
If you’re looking for a fresh sound look no further than “Coldlife in the Fastlane.” Coexisting in Le Mans psyche are ideas that infuse Miami vice, urban video game arcades, break dancing robots, neon nightlife, Betamax VCRs, along with other various eccentric elements that manage to create an Electroclash/ 80’s dance sound like no other. For purchasing or more information check out: LeMansElectro.com or Tower.com.
-Christine Beals 06/05/04
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