Avenue D

Avenue D have escaped the risk of being just another fad with their latest two mini-albums, As Free As We Wanna Be and Eurawesome. The dirty duo have done the unthinkable: 1) They were able to create a cult following without the help of marketing groups or label backing. 2) They were able to escape the Electroclash-backlash that killed artist’s careers mid-stride. Ave D’s lucky break seemed to come when Erlend Øye chose their “2D2F” on his K7 DJ Kicks album – giving them a certain amount of instant indie-rock cred and enough exposure to break through the underground club music glass ceiling. Making friends in every single club on every major continent probably helped too. I mean – is there anyone who doesn’t have a story about partying with Avenue D? Really?

The stand-out disc is As Free As We Wanna Be. It’s proof that Ave D is not a one trick pony. The girls push the envelope – both with their music and lyrics. And while they’re not afraid to experiment with their sound on this disc, they still have songs like “D4″ which has that L’Trimm/JJ Fad booty bass feel going on. “My Dirty South” is the jaw dropper though. Whoever thought to put that banjo in and actually make it work is 100% genious.

What makes Avenue D perfect – so perfect – is that you can take them on a total superficial level and just laugh at their lyrics. Or. You can stop and think and realize that there is so much going on there – they’re social commentators and political and so smart. But it’s whatever you want it to be.

Listen: Avenue D – “My Dirty South” (mp3)

Purchase: avenued.com