ITEM is a musical duo with influences ranging from new wave and funk to modern electronic dance music. The duo is made up of Quinton Sisson (drums & percussion) and Evan Rendes (vocals & instrumentation). Just under a month ago ITEM dropped their single “Fine By Me”.
The track blends a very glossy, electro and bass-driven fusion, of 80’s New Romantic dance and funk music, with a very light 70’s influence. I have to say that this was a whole new refreshing experience from a band that I’ve never heard before. This is a warm, bouncy, not to mention funky song that really does make you want to dance.
The track focuses on a realistic sounding organic-ness that forgoes strobe-light gimmicks and studio-only fabrications to get the job done. The fluttering strings and cool synths are hidden in the mix, while much of the grove is cranked up by the Chic-inspired guitar and Power Station-like bass, which is delivered with an all-natural freedom.
The inspiring super cool mystique of Evan Rendes takes center stage with some tantalizing lines, such as: “Drown the emotion, drink a potion of the things you never had” , as the song continues its regimen of a slick and smooth, funky beat, while exercising an infectious choruses. All along, Quinton Sisson drives the proceedings to boiling point with a solid and dynamic drumbeat.
There is no real certainty if “Fine By Me” will become swept under the rugs of the fickle modern American music marketplace. But, there’s plenty of reasons why it shouldn’t be ignored. The track is deliciously funky, colorful and absolutely smooth on the ear.
The band doesn’t fall into any one defined pop category, although they slyly warm up to Top 40 radio’s exclusive etiquette, with a very pristine and catchy production. No doubt ITEM will be able to liven up the dullest party with a sound totally sophisticated and trendy.
With this release, ITEM manage to come out with a pretty captivating track, one that is immune to most of the negative production changes seen in the music industry today. Though perfectly and glossily produced, the track avoids the overuse of too many studio effects and gimmicks.
“Fine By Me” has clear-cut instrument separation and the vocals are upfront where the melody can be heard. The bass and drums thump and thud, as opposed to the cardboard box sounds we often hear nowadays. The performance and production of “Fine By Me” definitely nails the focus of what ITEM does here – bouncy, funky, fun music that sounds genuinely inspired!
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