The Static TimesExtra
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Alternative rock jam band
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians is an American alternative rock jam band that originated in Dallas, Texas, in the mid-1980s. The band is widely known for their 1988 hit "What I Am" from the album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars.
Their music contains elements of rock, folk, blues, and jazz. Following the 1990 release of their second album Ghost of a Dog, lead singer Edie Brickell left the band and married singer-songwriter Paul Simon.
In 2006, she and the band launched a new web site and released a new album, Stranger Things.
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Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
- what
- a band
- from
- Dallas
- since
- 1985
- on the air here
- 0 songs
- still after
- 1 song
File card: Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
members: Matt Chamberlain, Brad Houser, Edie Brickell, Kenny Withrow, Brandon Aly, John Bush, Carter Albrecht, Matt Hubbard
formed in: Dallas
labels: Geffen Records
genres: alternative rock
Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.
2008 universal fire victimalternative rockclassic pop and rockfolk rock
Radio Free Elsewhere BulletinExtra
Early years and beginnings
New Bohemians started as a trio in the early 1980s, gaining experience in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of downtown Dallas, Texas. The original line-up featured Brad Houser on vibraslap, Eric Presswood on guitar, and Brandon Aly on drums.
Alternative folk rock / jam band from Dallas, Texas, USA.
New Bohemians formed in the mid 1980s, and were promoted as Edie Brickell & New Bohemians once they signed to Geffen Records.
Also known as: Brickell / New Bohemians, Eadie Brickell & The New Bohemians, Eddie Brickell & New Bohemians, Edie, Edie & New Bohemians
From Discogs (free to use). Their entryLiner notes
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, the records, oldest first
Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
1988 album
Stranger Things
2006 album
Hunter and the Dog Star
2021 album
Records from MusicBrainz; covers from the Cover Art Archive.
The Static Times1988
What I Am
1988 single by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
"What I Am" is a song written by Edie Brickell and Kenny Withrow and recorded by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians for their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars (1988). The song is highlighted by a guitar solo that notably features an envelope filter.
It peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart, and became a top-20 hit in Australia and New Zealand. "What I Am" was ranked No. 23 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s".
Composition
"What I Am" is written in the key of B minor in 44 time with a tempo of 89 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of Bsus2–Dsus2–Asus2, and the vocals span from G3 to B4.
Critical reception
Betty Page from Record Mirror wrote, "Like so many other singles this week, this is pleasantly quirky but not terribly inspiring. Edie's yet another female singer/songstress who sings and strums a guitar in a rustic fashion which makes you forget what the song sounds like before it's finished." Cash Box called it "one of the catchiest, anti-philosophical, tongue-in-cheek ditties since Peggy Lee's 'Is That All There Is?'"