The Reemergence of Rock
Posted on | March 14, 2004 at 6:15 pm | Comments Off
I’m getting optimistic about the future of music again. Not only have MP3s (thanks to the iPod) and the hi-rez/multichannel formats (DVD-Audio/SACD) renewed my interest in listening to music, there is another trend that gives me hope. After a long absence, I believe Rock is coming back. I’m not necessarily talking metal and its variants, I’m talking old-fashioned make-you-move sing-along rock with hooks. Good summer-driving-fast music. I’ll take three very recent and unexpected releases out of many new albums from the past year or so to demonstrate:
Starflyer 59, I Am The Portuguese Blues
I’ve been an SF59 fan for a long time, but I never really considered them to be Rockers. However, on this latest release, they really crank up the guitars and speed up the tempos. For all I know, they’ve been going in this direction for awhile now. I don’t have their 2003 album Old, so I can’t compare against it, but the older albums I remember as being more slow and emo-ish – nice, but not something that makes you get up and jump around the room. The new one could use a few more hooks and I wish they wouldn’t bury the lead vocals so far down in the mix, but after one listen so far this seems very promising.
The Stranglers, Norfolk Coast
I know a lot of people gave up on The Stranglers long before Hugh Cornwell left the group, and have probably not heard the new lineup, which has produced something like 5 studio albums so far. Especially since they’re pretty much available only as imports. I recently caught up with their catalog by importing the latest two, Coup-De-Grace (1998) and Norfolk Coast (2004). I thought the first three with the new lineup (Paul Roberts on vocals & John Ellis on guitar replace Cornwell) showed promise and had some hints of the old energy, along with some catchy hooks here and there. Coup-De-Grace, however, is abysmal – slow, sludgy, no energy. Norfolk Coast, OTOH, is loud and fast, and has plenty of hooks. And unlike CDG, it actually sounds produced. Baz Warne has replaced guitarist John Ellis, so maybe the renewed focus on the guitars has something to do with that.
Shalini, Metal Corner
I’ve already discussed this one before, and I don’t have much new to say other than that I like it more each time I hear it. Though not officially released until April 6th, Parasol is selling it right now from their website. My official copy is winging its way to me even now – good thing, since I’ve almost worn out the advanced one already.
Also recommended in this vein is Permission To Land from The Darkness, which I finally snagged a copy of and listened to.
Let’s hope this trend continues. I’m sure some of you will tell me that rock never really went away, but it sure seemed like it to me…
Latre.