1+1=

2?

Correct Patrick, A*.

Yes, 2, one of my favourite numbers in music. Not only because it symbolises:

1. The song in the charts that is USUALLY better than the "number 1"
and
2. The album-encapsulated demise of many less than average bands (The Fratelli's anyone?)

but because it also brings with it the premise of one of my favourite kind of bands - the two piece.

Since the 1980's the two-piece band has become a solid institution within the music business. From the early incarnations of the band-form including Eurythmics and the Pet Shop Boys, to today's versions like MGMT and That Fucking Tank, the two-piece has given us both inspirational and irritating acts (see what I did there?). So let's examine how the formula has changed over the years, and whether today's acts are better, worse or just about the same as they were "back in the day".

Of course, when people think of two-pieces they think of that wonderful shit stain on our country's history (apart from the music of course) the 1980's. Bands like The Eurythmics brought a whole new sound to the British people - pounding processed drum beats mixed with the ethereal sounds of the synthesiser, as music moved into an age of technology like no other. Bands like Depeche Mode and New Order were, of course, doing this as well, but the idea that merely two people could create such fantastic sounds was revolutionary. Plus, you go name me one person who can't sing Sweet Dreams... You go. No, no, go on. You can't can you?



You're singing it to yourself right now aren't you?


And today we still find ourselves with a multitude of musical duo's, some pushing the buttons of progress and others complying to the easier line of mediocrity, making the exploits of Annie and Dave seem almost pointless.

So who have we got? Who in the 21st century has picked up the torch carried by Lennox throughout the 80's? Well, personally I don't think anyone can be mentioned before the majesty of MGMT comes to mind.


MGMT, whilst unfortunately being buggered by the annoying gnat that is the NME, are one of the most bright and promoising musical acts in music today. Their mixture of heavy, dark synth and strange, ethereal vocals mixed with the more conventional methods of music has created something that will be enjoyed by just about everyone. Obviously the success of their debut album will be proof of this, but the real credit should go to their live performances, which blew me away at Leeds Festival last year, encapsulating the "hippy" spirit of the band being mixed with the electronic side of the two-piece.

As well as MGMT we have the world-wide fame of The White Stripes, Tenacious D and the Ting Tings (despite their obvious handicap of being shit) as proof that the two-piece line up can still work over 25 years after it was made famous, while lesser-known bands like That Fucking Tank, The Dresden Dolls and Castrovala are showing that it will continue to be a success into the future.




And while the bands are copying the layout of those early bands, the music is completely different. These bands just have an urge to push the boundaries of music. Two-pieces as a majority will never conform to normality. While some do choose the easier path (TTT... work it out) with simple songs and the occasional flash of ingenuity, others choose to say NO to normality. "Get off me mediocrity!" they say and then write songs that challenge your mind. These duo's are supposed to make you think "now how did they do that with just two people?" and most of them do, with fantastic success. The White Stripes have Jack White's insane guitar work, The D have their fantastic vocal harmonies and bands like Castrovalva throw away the rule book - mixing a heavily distorted Bass with crushing, mathy drum beats - to create something that sounds like the musical representation of a space battle.

So, for once, music has not lost its way with the two-piece. They are one of the only forms of the art not to have conformed with big business today and I hope that they continue to work as independents and take us to new levels of musical prowess as the years go by. I have no doubt that along the way some will get snapped up and manufactured into something that no one should like - wearing designer sunglasses all the time and doing paint throwing adverts for Addidas for example... just as a thought - but the majority will glide along and achieve the fame they deserve on their own merits.

Now excuse me while I go slip into a quintessential 80's denim jacket and jeans look (a la Marty McFly - Back to the Future), hairspray the life out of my hair, draw a nasal strip across my face and have a blast on my synth. It's the only way to live you know.


Sweet Dreams are made of these...