North American Scum

LCD Soundsytem's North American Scum wins a grammy and gets appropriated as a political campaign anthem for 08. I don't think... But that doesn't mean it isn't great

by LamontPaul, Founder & Publisher
first published: February, 2007

In the first instance there's the Jonathan Richman Nasal Spray vocal stylings.

LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum

LCD Soundsystem's 'North American Scum' is the first great pop hit of the year. Actually this or any other year I'd say. From its tricky momentary humble eurotrash beatbox beginnings and fattened up Wasp synth to... Oh, everything else and on forever. The refrain, I can never get enough of, "We are North American Scum..." not to be confused with British, Spanish or German scum, and all the fun they have, apparently.

But it's not solely for the winning catchy lyrics did I instantly fall for North American Scum. In the first instance there's the Jonathan Richman Nasal Spray vocal stylings; The Cindy Wilson/Kate Pierson-esque backing vocals and the essential "uuhhh, uhhhh, uuuhhhhhs," near the start. Whistling and gurgling always elevate pop and this infective reflective gurgling is good. Anyway, 'North American Scum' quickly becomes an insistent travelogue that almost anyone can dance to it. That's another virtue, as I am sure you can't imagine.

New York's the greatest if you can get someone to pay the rent
It's the furthest you can live from the government, uh-huh

You see I love this place that I've grown to know
But I know you wouldn't touch us with a ten foot pole.

Don't blame the Canadians...

North American Scum is a love song. I want to hear it on the radio all day long. I mean alongside Cassie, Missy Elliot and the Black Keys. All on one station.

I'm an implant here. I know it helps me. It seemingly makes it easier to understand, the questions about questioning the homeland. Now we're all finally lining up behind the prescient John Kerry. I voted for it before I voted against it.

North American Scum is unapologetic in any way and probably will be misappropriated by Rudi Guiliani or someone as a campaign fight song. I hopes. The best singalong party song since 'You've Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party.' And a perfect pop song for our times. Seek it out and hear it.

LamontPaul
Founder & Publisher

Publisher, Lamontpaul founded outsideleft with Alarcon in 2004 and is hanging on, saying, "I don't know how to stop this, exactly."

Lamontpaul portrait by John Kilduff painted during an episode of John's TV Show, Let's Paint TV

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In the first instance there's the Jonathan Richman Nasal Spray vocal stylings.

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