fun. : Aim and Ignite

    Yes, they are called fun. (with a period after fun) and for good reason (they are from NYC? well, maybe). [But actually it's because] their music is pure unadulterated fun.ness! And if you quickly recognize their style, it may be because you knew and loved The Format, which is where Nate Ruess came from after an announced hiatus in 2008--their last release was Dog Problems in July of 2006. Well, they have not lost any of their charm, and I assume any following The Format had has quickly transfered to fun. upon release of Aim and Ignite in August of 2009 (I bet you keep thinking I'm ending my sentences after fun. don't you?). A deluxe album version followed this up, with two excellent RAC remixes, some bonus tracks including a new song, "Stitch Me Up", and some music videos. RAC, for those who do not know them, are Remix Artist Collective, and have remixed quite a few good bands, including handful of songs for Tokyo Police Club, Radiohead's "Nude" two ways (yes, like eggs) and Phoenix's "1901", to name a few. A live album, fun. Live At Fingerprints, was also released in April of 2010. They are on the Fueled by Ramen label.
    One things I love about fun. is that Ruess's vocals (along with a mystery female once in a while; EDIT: mystery vocalist no more: Emily Moore) are always clearly in front of the music, and easily discernible. fun. also has a flair for the dramatic, falling into the category of power pop for that reason, and employ a wide variety of instrumentations to add creative genius to their compositions. The first track, "Be Calm", for example, has an accordion, at least two violins, chimes, trumpet and synthesizers (along with the normal electric guitars and drums). You could almost consider some of fun.'s songs in the Broadway musical genre, an 80's power ballad without the horrible 80's beat (yes, Journey is my least favorite band ever! emphatically!) or reminiscent of Queen's rock operatics from "Bohemian Rhapsody". Perhaps the resulting album is even a little disjointed, with the eclectic use of classical instrumentation: piano, trombone, tenor sax, string quartet, horn (yeah! my instrument), electric organ, and bells and oboe; gospel chorus, punk, glee chorus and barber shop quartet alike style vocal interludes; and sudden changing tempos and loud and soft sections. But, why do I care if every song is just plain fun.?
    I hope that you found this post fun. too and equally as eclectic! And I leave you with "Be Calm" in the MixPod player; as "Walk the Dog" (a worthy choice) is a song you may have heard on the radio, like I did on WBER 90.5 "The Only Station that Matters"; and "All the Pretty Girls" (which I almost chose if not for the fact that it) is on my Facebook playlist and you can listen to it there (if you are privileged enough to by my friend lol). Enjoy!