By Does Hollywood have any true glitz and glamor anymore? I don’t ask this because I think Hollywood has become unappealing—in full disclosure I live here, right in the thick of it, but I also think people who negatively paint in broad strokes about this section of Los Angeles are doing so in bad faith (and, often, with a strong NIMBY attitude). But it’s hard to watch old movies and TV shows while falling under the enchanting whimsy of it’s golden era and not wonder if any traces of that are left; hell, even the muck and grime of CHINATOWN or THE LONG GOODBYE can be charming amidst cynical depictions of urban sprawl and destitution.
So, does any of that whimsy and glamor exist anymore?
The answer to that question is inevitably going to vary, but you could easily point naysayers in the direction of Los Angeles indie rockers the world famous and their video for “hollywood pawn,” the first single off of their debut album TOTALLY FAMOUS, out October 13th via Lauren Records. While maybe not harkening to a true golden era in any traditional sense, there is an optimistic brightness to the band’s vision of Hollywood and the larger SoCal area—not just visually but also sonically. The sound is a blend of power pop influenced by L.A. veterans of the genre both old and new, from The Nerves and Jason Falkner to No Win and The Pretty Flowers. the world famous’s version of the city is jubilant and pure, and that can be in short supply these days. The music’s dudes rock energy blends beautifully with a visual backdrop of sunglasses and Los Angeles parks and Hollywood’s specific brand of suburbia. Glamorous? Perhaps not. But it is a counterpoint to those wondering if one of America’s most famous and sought after cities is still worth pining over. You can see the video for “hollywood pawn” below:
TOTALLY FAMOUS is out on Lauren Records on October 13th. You can pre-order the album over on Bandcamp!
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