We Are Scientists Return

I recently heard a catchy song on the radio that I couldn't identify, and I went to hunt it down. To my surprise, it was by We Are Scientists - the band that was briefly hailed as the next big thing in indie rock. That was back in the heat of the Franz Ferdinand era, shortly before We Are Scientists were eclipsed by the Arctic Monkeys as the band of the moment. Well, they're back. Well, they're sort of back.

We Are Scientists are never going to be a big deal again. They don't have a distinct enough sound to really finish the job, I don't think - they're easily lumped in with the Franzes, the Arctics, the Futureheads, except that all of those groups are slightly better. That being said, We Are Scientists are capable of crafting some really catchy pop rock that is worth listening to a few times and throwing on some mixes of the moment. "Rules Don't Stop," the lead single from their 2010 album Barbara is one such song. It's short, it's infectious, and it's easy on the ears. If Panda Bear and Toro Y Moi aren't exactly your thing, you might find some solace in this track.

We Are Scientists - Rules Don't Stop (YSI) (filesavr)

And for good measure, here's We Are Scientists' breakout hit "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt," as well as a previously TSRE'd cover of Sigur Ros' "Hoppipolla" that is - remarkably - quite good.

We Are Scientists - Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt (YSI) (filesavr)

We Are Scientists - Hoppipolla (Sigur Ros Cover) (YSI) (filesavr)