We Are Scientists

"With Love and Squalor" B

If scenester rock has taught us anything, it’s to not claim anything as "our own."

Mainly because scenesters tend to call any band they fall in love with their own and heaven help us if we discover them. Sure, we all want the best for our favorite undiscovered band, but every band deserves success. Not by scenester standards, though.

Chances are, as soon as someone gets into an album or a band, we might as well kiss them goodbye.

Take Fall Out Boy for example. Two years ago, the only people who knew about the Chicago-area quartet were the kids who went to shows in the basement of their friend’s house. Now, no one can get "Sugar, We’re Going Down" out of their heads.

While The Killers always can call Las Vegas home, Las Vegas can never call the Killers their own. After "Hot Fuss" blew up, the new wave dance generation was in full swing, and it was impossible to escape from hearing "Mr. Brightside" on the airwaves.

So after listening to "With Love and Squalor," one must ask themselves how long it will be before We Are Scientists take off and never return to the indie rock world and their indie rock roots.

Sure, every song on the album is catchy and addictive, with blaring guitar leads, melodic bass lines and snappy drums backing the vocals, but how long before it’s in heavy rotation on the local adult-contemporary radio station? How long before the trio goes from an opening act to headlining across the country? From a 15-passenger van to a full-out tour bus?

So thank those scenester rockers for ruining what could potentially be an amazing band if they were only kept underground and hidden away from everyone.

Download this: "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt"

Other Ratings:

Rolling Stone: 3/5 stars

Blender: 3/5 stars

Pitchfork: 6.7/10

AllMusic.com: 3.5/5 stars

Today

Happy Birthday to Weekender’s Stephanie Szuda who turns 22.

The Felix Culpa will perform at noon at the MLK Commons as part of Homecoming week festivities.

Junk in the Trunk will perform at 10:30 p.m. at Otto’s Niteclub, 118 E. Lincoln Highway.

Sanawon, Heligoats, Corey Wills and Nathaniel Carroll will perform at 8 p.m. at The House Café, 263 E. Lincoln Highway.

Friday

Ciara, Twista and other acts will perform at the Homecoming Jam at 8 p.m. at the Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway.

Jerry Devivo will perform at noon at the MLK Commons as part of Homecoming week festivities.

Basically Bluegrass will perform at 7 p.m. at the Wild Rose Bistro, 850 D Pappas Drive.

Saturday

Trippin’ Billies will perform at 9 p.m. at Otto’s Niteclub.

Mike and Joe will perform at 10 p.m. at

Starbusters Bar and Grill, 930 Pappas Drive.

Sunday

The NIU Wind Symphony will perform at 3 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.

Monday

National Health Education Week begins today.

Tuesday

Chris Davis and Company will perform at 7 p.m. at the Wild Rose Bistro.

The NIU Latin Jazz Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall.