The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

We Started Nothing (2008, Columbia) The Ting Tings' first studio album. ***1/2

Much like Does It Offend You, Yeah?, the Ting Tings are a half electronica-rock band/half alternative pop band with only a few differences. One, the Ting Tings lead singer is a chick. Two, the Ting Tings are not as intense as Does It Offend You, Yeah? Three, the Ting Tings name is, while still stupid, not as stupid as Does It Offend You, Yeah? Four, the Ting Tings are better.

The album opens with the wonderful "Great DJ," where Katie White mimics a DJ scratching his vinyl with her stuttered delivery during the chorus. The duo is able to make successful hooks that never get annoying - perhaps they aren't too catchy, but they do stay fresh. The mood shifts occassionally, most notably on "Traffic Light," a simple off-kilter song, almost like a children's melody, with White's simple yet elegant voice lifting the deceptive lyrics. The album's title track marks another shift, as the dance aspect is abandoned for a more soulful pace. White's vocals are anything but, however, the riff and bass line are too good to keep you from tapping your foot. The album's greatest moment, though, is "That's Not My Name." Layers find their way into the song as it progresses, and the bratty vocal delivery is remarkable, especially during the chorus where White adds a drawl. It's a great hip-shaking beat, minimalist at first but eventually fleshing itself with De Martino's backing vocals and a horn arrangement.

This first album from the English pair is a great place to start, as We Started Nothing earns the Ting Tings instant respect. (That's Not My Name, Traffic Light, We Started Nothing)