An estimated 98% of us experience earworms. Despite the annoying times that we can’t get a chorus or a hook of an overplayed pop song out of our heads, getting a really good earworm stuck can be one of the best things ever.

We here at Nerdist are dead-set on bringing you those types of songs, if only for the weekend. We’ll be scouring the internet for the best earworms we can shove into your meaty brains!

Oh hey! I’m still allowed to write things despite making people listen to “Informer” last week. So… that’s neat. This week is another random band, but I promise nothing annoying. It’s another installment focusing on one band in particular because this one always seems to creep its way back into my musical rotation from time to time from different sources. Well, two sources in particular. The first being that We Are Scientists are just an all around amazing indie band that everyone should appreciate and binge-listen to (is that a term? it should be) and the second being the comedy of The Lonely Island.

I don’t remember how I came across The Lonely Island’s YouTube channel, but it was likely around the time “Dick in a Box” took the world by storm. If you enjoy their comedy there’s nothing better in my book than the opening theme to their pilot “Awesometown“. At the time the YouTube channel had all of their previous work including videos directed by Lonely Island member, Akiva Schaffer, which lead me to today’s band – We Are Scientists.

Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt

Schaffer directed a few of their videos and had them up on the The Lonely Island’s channel. 2006’s “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” is one of my favorite tracks by the band and the video matches the song perfectly. Up-tempo and high energy in almost every aspect of the song, the video compliments it perfectly with a full sprint chase through the streets. The chorus is easily remembered and repetitive in that oh-so-earwormy way that begs you to sing it after a listen or two. Come to think of it, Most of We Are Scientists’ tracks share those characteristics, especially ones from the same album.

Inaction

Another off the 2006 release of With Love and Squalor, “Inaction” has one of my favorite use of language in music and it might only be in my head. Repeated throughout the song is the word “Inaction” but the inflection on it makes it hard not to hear it as the phrase “Inaction, in action”. I enjoy the idea of the latter being the way we’re meant to hear it as the song’s lyrics bemoan the inability to take action in some scenarios. Also, I’m pretty sure the song is about getting “Friend-Zoned” which – if you’ve ever been there – can make you feel paralyzed in a way.

I suppose I may be reading into things too much and I’ll try not to do so as much with this band because the album With Love and Squalor has the distinction of corresponding with a break-up in my life, so I don’t know if I view each song through drama-tinted glasses. I don’t think I’m too far off though if you consider the tracks “Worth The Wait” or “It’s a Hit” so maybe I’ll stick with this being a good album for a moody break-up. Steering away from the possibility of me over-sharing decade-old relationship woe nonsense, how about a video with a puppy in it?

After Hours

The 2008 track – with a video also directed by Akiva Schaffer – might be their most recognizable to date. Some may know this song from the soundtrack to Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist or in the video game Tony Hawk: Ride. If you set aside the potential creepy premise in the video of a man being set up on a date with a dog, it’s actually a fairly sweet video that – silly as it gets – says a bit about the fickle nature of attraction.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why We Are Scientists aren’t a household name because they absolutely should be. Listen to them, love them and bring more people into the fold! Their music is incredibly earwormy in the very best way and they certainly deserve more attention. The only thing I can surmise is that maybe that they came on “the scene” with a sound a little too close to other bands (The Strokes come to mind) too soon to hit the public as hard as they could’ve. The good news is that they’re still making music and touring – which is great considering I usually feature groups who haven’t been together since the 90s – so that means more great music ahead.

What are your thought’s on We Are Scientists? Let me know in the comments below!

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Blake Rodgers writes for Nerdist from Chicago IL where he lives happily with his Guinness World Record for High Fives. You can be his pal by following him on Twitter (@TheBlakeRodgers)

Image: Wikimedia