The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/141816
Laygirl Fashion By Emily Popek In Defense of Disco Dresses Polyester gets a bad rap. The very name conjures up some of the worst fashion excesses of the 1970s. It's synonymous with cheap, tacky and over-the-top. But here's the thing: I kind of like polyester. And I'm not even talking about today's more sophisticated synthetics. Nope, I'm talking about your granny's double-knit pant suits and pussy-bow blouses. I'm talking about cheap-and-cheerful, oncesize-fits-most disco dresses. And I'm talking about, yes, those crazy prints and patterns that made the 70s such a dizzying cacophony of color. Why? Because what made those garments so successful when they made their debut is the same thing that makes them work today. A 1954 advertisement for Dacron the first polyester introduced to the U.S. clothing market - makes the case pretty plainly. "No back-breaking scrubbing," it read. "Terrific resistance against wrinkles ... hang up, they disappear overnight!" 'Nuff said. Don't get me wrong: I love natural fibers. I grew up on a sheep farm, for cripes' sake, so the smell of wet wool makes me feel all warm and fuzzy 4 O-Town Scene July 3, 2013 inside. When it comes to woven fabric, cotton can't be beat for comfort. And silk is nothing short of miraculous. (If you've never worn silk long underwear, you have no idea what you're missing.) But ... let's be honest here. I am not always kind to my clothes. I'll toss a shirt into my closet, only to dust it off a few days later to see if it's still wearable. I rarely iron. I often leave laundry sitting in the dryer overnight. And I visit the dry cleaner's about as often as I visit the dentist. So I truly appreciate a garment that can withstand this type of abuse. Polyester may not be the "miracle fabric" it was once touted as, but it does do certain things well. So, it might be cool to hate on polyester. But I'm not ashamed to say I'm a fan. What about you? Emily F. Popek is probably wearing some vintage polyester right now. She is also assistant editor of The Daily Star. New Music Notes|By Mark Boshnack Savages' debut record delivers sonic treat If you love the Jefferson Airplane, of the "Bless It's Pointed Little Head" variety, you'll enjoy the first album by British band Savages, titled "Silence Yourself." If you just like hard-pulsing punk rock, you won't be disappointed either. I mentioned the band briefly in a column several months ago when I was amazed by their single, "Husbands." Any band that good had to be worth waiting for and the May release was more than can be expected. Lead singer Jehnny Beth reminds me of Patti Smith, in both tone and attitude. The band has the sonic underpinnings of the live Airplane, with soaring guitars by Gemma Thompson, psychedelic sounds and moving bass lines by Ayse Hassan. I like to play it loud. Take the opening track. With the album title in mind, what can you expect from a song called "Shut Up?" After a provocative monologue, that a better movie buff might know the origins of, the bass line sounded like it was influenced by a live performance of the Airplane's " Jack Cassidy." With lyrics that evoke post-punk directness by someone who could be one of rock's great vocalists, who could ask for anything more? Where can this go? It only gets better. The heavy reverb on "I Am Here," with its insistent drumming by Fay Milton, and raw primal urgency, is a perfect follow-up. Listen to the attitude of Jehnny and the band in "City's Full," that starts out with pounding drums, and fuzz and distortion in the guitars, for this harsh love story. She concludes a key line, "I take you out darling/We dance all night/But when comes sunlight/You say I'm going back home," with a snarl, in one of the song's high points. The dark love stories continues, with the soul searching of "Strife," with reverb-heavy guitar lines, she sings "they wonder how we do it/they wonder how come. how come I've been doing things to you? I would never tell my mom." Great stuff. The band changes up the tempo a little, with a slower more soulful tune: "Waiting for A Sign." "Dead Nature" is a sound poem that is a nice pause before the sinuous guitar licks and solid drumming of "She Will" returns. "No Face" is an angry, driving, "spit in your face" song. And then there is urgency and wit of "Husbands," which illustrates the band at its churning, snarly best. The album ends with a beautiful ballad, "Marshal Dear." Could this be one of the best albums of the year? NPR has it on its "best of the year so far" list. Anyone who doesn't agree just hasn't been listening properly, or can't relate to the power in these. In the end, it doesn't matter. What does is that you give it a listen and decide for yourself. Mark Boshnack is a reporter for The Daily Star, and a music fiend. He can be reached at mboshnack@ thedailystar. com.