Singles

The Films - Belt Loops

L.A. Bryan 18/06/2007

Rating: 4/5

The Films' second single off their debut album, Don't Dance Rattlesnake, takes a wry look at relationships, and the world is all the better for it.

“Belt Loops” is manic from beginning to end, with a well-placed Rata-tat-tat-esque guitar duet towards the end that elevates the song to mad-dancing-in-the-privacy-of-your-home proportions. Lead singer Michael Trent adds to the mania, belting out fabulously cheeky lyrics: “she's like a devil in a dark shade of lipstick/an unassuming sort of X-rated misfit/her bottle's shook up all you gotta do is twist it/before you get a chance you'll already have missed it”.

It could be the mirror song to “She is the New Thing,” by The Horrors. Similar subject, different styles; musically, “Belt Loops” trades menace for jaunty nonchalance, preferring to let its lyrics do the scathing. This catchy juxtaposition of substance and style seems to be the musical incarnation of Summer. “Belt Loops” rips for a fiery three minutes before ending abruptly - an anthem for spurned lovers of summer flings if ever there were one.

“Belt Loops” is by no means groundbreaking - just pure hedonistic fun. Few bands of late have been so rollicking and lyrically droll at the same time, and if their other material is anything like “Belt Loops,” The Films should turn the American music scene on its tired, bloated head. It's too bad then that neither the single nor album has yet been slated for release in the U.S. Folks in the U.K, however, should soak up this cinematic sizzler.

Released: 18/06/2007