Ben Gel and Mermaid Island Reviewed
Ben Gel – Are We Not Men?
What was really the difference between the hippies and the punks? Both inspired grassroots global movements that advertising agencies are still struggling to wrap their heads around.
And, of course, both were affected by dubious fashion choices, by the desire to stand out, which, ultimately, and ironically, were turned into nothing more than uniforms. You, and everyone else, know what a hippie or a punk should look like.
However, the great difference lies in the fact that the hippies were so positive and optimistic to the point of delusion. The punk-rockers, the smart ones at least, prepared for the future. That’s what Ben Gel are doing.
“Are We Not Men?”, a single that ought not to be confused with Devo’s works, is a melodic punk number about bad times. Are Ben Gel suggesting we’re going to conquer the forces of evil and make everything good again? When was it ever good? No, Ben Gel is advising that you get ready and wishes you the best.
Mermaid Island – Horse Shit
The fact of the matter is that most people have no interesting stories to tell you when you run into them on the train or in the queue to the cash register. And, while the very best people tend to be dull, and the worst interesting psychopaths, why would you expect the former to have any stories that they could use to fashion poems, plays or songs? Make them about what exactly?
For that matter, let’s just spend a moment to appreciate the great efforts that the previous generations have made to ruin their lives all in the name of having something to write about. Let’s appreciate that some people did choose the path that leads to a lifetime of weirdness. And, listening to Mermaid Island, let’s also rejoice in the fact that there are still people doing this today.
It’s not that I advocate the kind of behaviour that the band sings about on “Horse Shit.” Hell, I don’t know why trapeze artists don’t get locked up either. But, if this weren’t a single, it would be a great vlog, an interesting conversation piece, and, maybe, even a great novel. I don’t want to know if it’s true or not. Mermaid Island are writing songs for the dreamers that, typically, end up taking up all their anger on their liver. Great songs take great sacrifices!
