As an American girl, I can’t take a man’s British accent lightly. I swoon. I become overcome with passion. I lose the power control myself as I become completely absorbed with that slight twinge that makes me cringe (in a good way, of course).After studying abroad in London, I thought I might be past this hindrance. But when I first listened to Park Bench Poet, a trio from the UK that is self-described in the genres of acoustic, folk and rap, the accent’s charm worked all its old tricks once again. The first song I heard, On My Own, was backed by an acoustic guitar (Bear) with just enough bass (Chris), and Matt’s vocals, which balance a combination of rap and song. The sound is clean, and I wanted to know more. Who were these British men that I needed to have in my life? I started fiddling around on their myspace, but had trouble finding any more information about my three potential husbands. Besides a few pictures and their list of influences (including Kings of Convenience and The Roots), there isn’t much information they provide. “How cheeky!” I find myself thinking, already drawn in by the hypnotizing effect. But each scroll and click finds me feeling empty. Their official website, listed as theradstudio.com, is actually vocalist Matt’s personal webpage, promoting his graphic design expertise.
They must prefer to remain a mystery to keep the flocks of girls at bay. This becomes more apparent as the other two songs on their myspace, Might Be A Grey Day and Quick Groove, are listened to. I want that accent to carry itself over me and keep me in a quick groove, if you will. While the overall sound of the songs appears to be slightly the same at first, the lyrics and rhythm keep them distinguishingly different. By combining and mixing different rhythm patterns, the overall composition of the songs is quite interesting. They even have an On My Own Remix, which experiments with the beat and adds other instruments to create a fuller effect.
The lyrics are clever and well put together, even inspirational. For example, in Might Be A Grey Day, ‘Living In a modern day community/ With no freedom of expression or immunity/ Someone needs to start a positive contribution/ Or face a plague of negative evolution/ But really, how is that at all possible?/ When the people that rule are so unstable?/ Regulations are put upon all of us/ And in an instance/ My vigilance is persistent.’ It kinda makes you wanna start a revolution. The kind of revolution that doesn’t involve any tea.
This American girl knows you’ll fancy ‘em. I’d recommend ‘em to me mates. I just wish I could find out more. And not just because of their undeniably alluring purr, but because of their music. Although, the accent still gets me, so maybe because of that too. 
(Current Standing ~ 4 out of 5)
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August 3rd, 2006 at 3:19 pm
I’d Listen To These Poets Any Day…
nice…..
August 7th, 2006 at 11:33 am
August 7th, 2006 at 11:37 am
quick groove is the shit.
August 8th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
dragon snake, lol, what the f**k’s that name all about?
u havent got a Danny LaRue have ya! u aint got the minerals anyway son!
i like a bit of beef… on a sunday with some roast potatoes.
reality check your life.
wear a smile!