The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

The electro-pop sensibilities of the Ting Tings have propelled them from virtual unknowns to up-and-coming sensations in just under two years. Last summer, the British duo was largely unheard of outside of their native Manchester. However, they generated quite a buzz with their first single “Great DJ,” through private shows at the underground Manchester club called The Mill. The Ting Tings also had a breakout performance at Glastonbury in 2007. Later that year, newly appointed Columbia exec, Rick Rubin, saw the Ting Tings perform and signed them to a record deal. Fast-forward to 2008, and the Ting Tings are finally set to release their debut album, “We Started Nothing."


If you don’t like pop music, you probably won’t like the Ting Tings. The definition of pop has surely changed over the last two decades, but when I say pop, I like to think of 1980s pop, when the B-52s and Cyndi Lauper had the opportunity to become successful while still maintaining their quirkiness and individuality. The Ting Tings share few similarities with modern pop artists though. The album opener, “Great DJ,” combines that pop sensibility with strong post-punk and electronic influences. With a heavy kick drum on two and four, it’s no wonder that electro-pop wizard Calvin Harris remixed the track for the dance floor.

The second single “That’s Not My Name,” has less of a post-punk vibe, and it’s definitely more upbeat and radio-friendly. Though it’s arguably the most dance-worthy on the album, guitarist and lead singer Katie White makes the double meaning behind the song title abundantly clear in her lyrics. The line, “They call me quiet girl. But I’m a riot,” is a commentary on White’s typically reserved demeanor, which totally changes when she hits the stage. “Getting clamped up and sitting on the fence now” is likely a metaphor for her and fellow Ting Jules De Martino’s first band Dear Eskiimo, whose debut album on Mercury was shelved and never saw the light of day.

One surprise is “Traffic Light.” Mellow and melodic, it shows The Ting Tings’ knack for seamlessly combining various genres, including electronic and folk, which rarely get along like they do on “Traffic Light.” White’s soothing vocals are at the forefront, whereas the rest of the album strikes a near-perfect balance between her singing and De Martino’s clean production. “Shut Up and Let Me Go” is the most recent single from the Ting Tings, which you might’ve heard on the new iTunes commercial. It’s got a hint of disco, but the catchy guitar riff makes the tune work. White’s lyrics take on a double-meaning once again, as she describes both her will to get out of a failed relationship and trying to get out of Dear Eskiimo’s record contract with Mercury.

“Shut Up and Let Me Go” blends well with the next song, “Keep Your Head,” another upbeat track with a soulful breakdown. “Keep Your Head” shows the duo’s more skilled and intricate production techniques, especially at the end, when White grunts the lyrics over her own backing vocal melody. The heavy percussion and funk-inspired bass line of “We Walk” makes the most pretentious music snob tap his or her feet.

We Started Nothing isn’t without flaws though. “Fruit Machine” comes off manufactured, and “Impacillia Carpisung” lacks the catchy chorus and production quality that is ubiquitous on the rest of the album, and even the title track lacks energy and enthusiasm, and will likely leave fans of “Great DJ” at a loss for words. —Aaron Frank