Track Marks: How Prototypes Became Today’s Biggest Band In The World

Time for another edition of Track Marks, where your Idolators look at the making of the latest MP3-blog sensation.

Artist: Prototypes Hometown: Paris, France Album: Prototypes First blog mention: A May ’06 concert listing on Rock Insider. The Build-Up: From May through July, this Francophone trio got a ton of blog love, including raves on Fluxblog, Planeta Pop, Said the Gramophone, Gorilla Vs. Bear, and You Ain’t No Picasso. The Dam-Break: Just in time for bloggers to polish their “best of ’06” lists, Prototypes’ label, Minty Fresh, posted a free five-track EP that rekindled the Prototypes-adoring fire in heavy hitters Gorilla Vs. Bear and You Ain’t No Picasso. Odds of Backlash: 6-1. They have a lead singer who looks like Karen O and they aren’t afraid to have a song title that translates, roughly, to “Dance On The Shit”–what’s not to love? Are They Worthy?: Sure. “Un Gars Fragile” may be a direct rip-off of “Girl U Want” by Devo, but there are about 3,344 worse bands to emulate out there. Prototypes are punchy and fun, and lord knows that the indie-rock world needs a little more of that in these mewlier-than-ever days.

Prototypes – Je Ne Te Connais Pas [MP3, link expired] Prototypes – Un Gars Fragile [MP3, link expired] Prototypes [MySpace]