North American Hallowe'en Prevention, Inc. (NAHPI) - "Do They Know It's Halloween"
This is an mp3-rip of the lofi stream available here.
So here it is! Ballyhoo'ed, speculated about, an oddity of the highest degree, the NAHPI has now launched with pictures, lyrics, press release, full details, and even a stream of the tune itself. Out October 11th, with all proceeds going to UNICEF, "Do They Know It's Halloween" features the likes of Beck, Feist, Karen O, Devendra Banhart, Sum 41, Sparks, Malcolm McLaren, Buck 65, The Arcade Fire, an Inuit throat singer... man the list just goes on. Masterminded by Nicolas Diamonds (formerly of The Unicorns, now of Islands), it's astoundingly absurd, slightly unmusical, but above all gleeful. It is the sound of many people having a great deal of fun (albeit in separate cities, corresponding by post). What I like most about it is the total lack of irony - this is goofy as heck, but there's no snickering, no sarcasm, just happy hamming. Listen to that chorale chorus, like A Silver Mt Zion crossed with Scooby Doo.
It's hilarious how some of these people - Buck 65, Wolf Parade's Dan and Spencer, David Cross, Beck, - are inimitably themselves, unmistakable voices sticking their heads in the door to murmur a few spooky words. Others, however, (check Win Butler's ghoulish deadpan at 3:00,) have submerged themselves into other characters, Rocky & Bullwinkle villains. I imagine the corresponding Halloween party, everyone in mummy-wraps and black mascara, some unrecognisable (and not just because I have no idea what Roky Erickson looks like), some still inescapably themselves. Even in full Frankenstein duds, Narduwar wouldn't be able to hide (but I suspect he would be able to break-dance).
Like I said before, it's too bad that some of the non-hipsters didn't make it out of the rumours stage (Clay Aiken, I'm looking at you!), but when Elvira is duetting with Leslie Feist, it's very hard to complain.
Good on you, Nick.
[full info here / full lyrical breakdown / definitely go out and buy this in October!]
Posted by Sean at August 18, 2005 2:17 PM"like A Silver Mt Zion crossed with Scooby Doo.."
I couldn't have said it any better. Thanks for the track. Now if Halloween would just hurry up and get here!
Posted by Hayden at August 18, 2005 3:17 PMthat is really great, Sean, thanks for scouring for it.
Posted by dan at August 18, 2005 4:39 PMIf you hadn't posted the actual song, I would have guessed you were making it all up. It's just too odd to be true.
Posted by peecat at August 18, 2005 11:57 PMThat was the best thing ever. Thanks!
Posted by Akio at August 19, 2005 3:54 AMI am totally tripping out. I think my boss thinks something is severely wrong with me. This is one of those weird musical concotions that you sit around imaging stoned with your friends and never ever thinking will ever happen.
I don't know what to think yet.
Posted by I Dig Love at August 19, 2005 3:37 PMI'm hearing there is going to be a video, and it will be animated.
Posted by Andrew Rose at August 20, 2005 3:02 PMSorry it just makes me cringe... Very noughties though, doing an ironic satire that can be taken at face value, to double the target market...
Posted by Matthew at August 20, 2005 4:27 PMhave you or are you planning on posting any of the islands?
Posted by radiolarian at August 21, 2005 1:18 AMHmmm. This was done for charity and you're posting it? Yeah, I know you can find it for free elsewhere but come now....not very sporting, even with your imploring people to buy it.
Posted by J at August 21, 2005 4:43 AM
and it will begin playing. All songs are also available to download: just right-click the link and choose 'Save as...'
