Action Set

"I see no difference in traffic lights and wedding nights that turn into knife-fights!" ring out just one of the melodic hooks that populate Action Set's growing catalogue of rockin' folk-pop gems. The NYC -by -way -of -South -Jersey group only got started in late 2005, but they already have song-writing chops well beyond their years. Seeing them perform live is treating yourself to heartfelt, danceable harmonies and passion for vibrating strings and skins that you're not likely to match these days. One must wonder, are they America's amp'd-up answer to The Kings Of Convenience? Unimportant. Their more crucial role is NYC's answer to those who think that today's best undergound music is sole property of cynical hipsters and ironic bloggers. They may happen to be cool guys with a sense of humor, but Action Set is only concerned with expressing themselves the best way they know how: singing and playing guitars until booties are a-shakin'.

Don't get me wrong-- just because they're genuine doesn't mean they don't indulge in clever songwriting. Far from it. Their mix of upbeat and slower acoustic and electric songs may feel comfortable, but they're far from stock. Everything they do has the unique stamp of a band whose influences may be identifiable but whose ambition is to get every last soul at the bar humming, tapping, drinking, drawing, sculpting, dumping their bitchy girlfriend, driving to the shore, starting that business they've been dreaming about, forgiving their tearful ex and taking the opportunity to try those positions she was never willing to do before.

Life-affirming music? Just a tad...

Their cinematic dance-folk favorite, Give Up really explores the Belle and Sebastian side of life. It's got an ascending chord progression and wistfully sung vocals painting the scene of a sexy rendezvous with just a hint of scandal. The Arrest, which is named after singer/guitarist Sam Smith's former band, is post-Shins indie paydirt from a world where there's more to mid-tempo catchiness than the OC soundtrack or Greys Anatomy.

Set's ballad (one of perhaps a handful), This is Not a Love Song, is exactly what it sounds like it isn't. (I think.) And don't think that just because these South Jersey natives know their way around an acoustic ballad, that you don't need to bother seeing them live if you're looking for high-energy music. In addition to plenty of rockin rythms and some occasional good old-fashioned screams, you might just get treated to Weigh In, which, in addition to being lively as the day is loud, is catchier than an advertising exec's wet dream. When AC gets around to recording a studio version, they're going to be beating McDonald's' commercial guys off with spatulas.


Action Set has an EP out, the mp3's of which you're welcomed to download for free at their website. As of right now, I'd say it's simply a race to see what lucky label notices them first. May the best label win. There's a reason we call them hooks, and right now it's 1849 and Action Set is California.

The Arrest.mp3
Give Up.mp3

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