DOWNLOAD: The Idle Hands

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 10, 2011 7:40PM

The Idle Hands is what happens when you move your kids from the U.K. to the midwest at a tender young age; you end up with some of the best aspects of both infused in the band's music. Brothers Ciaran and Criostoir Daly form the core of The Idle Hands and it's the former's sneeringly sweet Britpop vocal affectations and the latter's spot-on and melodic bass that really drives the group's sound. To these folks it doesn't mater whether Oasis or Blur won the battle because they're only in it for the music.

The Idle Hands used to play Chicago pretty regularly but it's been a while since we've heard from them, so we're pleased to see they've got new material on the way in the form of their new EP, Life Is Beautiful, out on March 1. The band continues to refine and sharpen their sound, and while they are wholly beholden to their influences they still manage to mark each tune as their own. It's the same distinction that lifted their influences above the pack of also rans back in the mid-'90s and it's great fun to get lost in.

We have a sneak peek for you in the form of the disc's lead track, the dancefloor ready "Socialite Death Squad."

MP3: Idle Hands "Socialite Death Squad"

The Idle Hands play March 12 at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake, 6 p.m. 17+