We Started Nothing

The Ting Tings

Released on 1/1/80 by Columbia
Main artists: The Ting Tings
Genre: Pop

Available in

16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo

Unlimited Streaming

Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps

Start my trial period and start listening to this album

Enjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription

Digital Download

Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

On the Ting Tings' debut album, We Started Nothing, the duo's new wave-worshiping mix of dance and indie pop -- which grafts chugging guitar and bashed drums onto looping structures and proudly plastic keyboards -- is polished, but far from polite. Singer/guitarist Katie White's snotty, singsong vocal delivery and flat rhymes are part cheerleader, part playground chant, and a tiny bit of punk snarl; "That's Not My Name," on which White sneers "Are you calling me darling? Are you calling me bird?," even sounds a little like riot grrrl sloganeering filtered through a decade's worth of pop. Even when White sings more melodically, as on "Traffic Light" and "We Walk," the energy, attitude, and repetition can be grating, even if you're tapping your foot to the songs. However, the Ting Tings manage to stay on the catchy side with "Fruit Machine," a Lily Allen-ish bit of cheeky bordering on vindictive pop, and on "Keep Your Head" and "Be the One," which tone down the Ting Tings' energy to more manageable but still lively levels. "Great DJ" and "Shut Up and Let Me Go" (which sounds like a Yeah Yeah Yeahs parody/tribute) are also standouts, and it's no surprise they've been used in commercials -- they're so short and memorable, they feel like jingles waiting for products to endorse. Since they've got a real knack for writing songs that stick in your head whether you want them to or not, the Ting Tings' songs are fun in very small doses.

© Heather Phares /TiVo

More info

We Started Nothing

The Ting Tings

You are currently listening to samples.

Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.

Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.

From $10.83/month

Great DJ

00:03:22

The Ting Tings, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Associated Performer - Julian de Martino, Composer, Lyricist, Producer - Katie White, Composer, Lyricist - Dave Sardy, Mixing Engineer - Andy Brohard, Mixing Engineer - Greg Gordon, Mixing Engineer

(P) 2007 Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited

That's Not My Name

00:05:10

The Ting Tings, Associated Performer, Main Artist, Producer, Associated Performer, Producer - Julian de Martino, Composer, Lyricist - Katie White, Composer, Lyricist - Dave Sardy, Mixing Engineer - Greg Gordon, Engineer