Conscious Pilot – Modern Religion
Similar artists: Cheap Teeth, The B-52’s, Cate Le Bon, Pylon
Genre: Post-Punk, Indie Rock
There are certain things that you cannot do if you find yourself a member of a gothic, metal, or post-punk band. One of those things is to smile and let it be known that you are having a good time. Much like any palace coup, being part of those crowds means adhering to a bunch of standards, or being shunned by the entire community.
But damn it, some folks are mad as hell and like to dance around too. Folk like the ones from Conscious Pilot, for example. Post-punk is especially popular again nowadays. And, it’s a world made up, in particular, of people who like to act clever while barking about how bad the government, the church and the weather are. That’s not news to anyone, and neither is their music very innovative.
But Conscious Pilot’s “Modern Religion” is not music confined to the limiting rules of genre adherence. Here is a dance tune fitted to the baritone howl of a post-punk singer. Here are angry vocals about the rather cheery subject of attempting to find meaning in this world. It’s enough to confuse you, dear listener, or make you go dancing down the street. You decide which one it’ll be.
Mermaid – Disassociate
Similar artists: Wet Leg, Le Tigre, Lava La Rue, Fousheé, Jean Dawson
Genre: Punk, Indie Pop, Alternative Rock
There aren’t many things in this life meant to give you an immediate and sudden jolt and that still make you feel good. Sex, coffee, and punk rock are among the few who do that, and for that, you shouldn’t be able to lose your appreciation over time. A good shot of espresso hits about as good each time you have it. And, if you’re used to drinking each morning, you’ll feel lost without it.
That’s exactly where punk rock fans find themselves. It used to be that they could approximate just the kind of effect that the music would have on them. But things have gone downhill. Nowadays, most fans of the genre look desperately toward anyone wearing a biker jacket and sporting a mohawk for guidance. Still, loudness itself doesn’t equal thrills.
Mermaid’s “Disassociate” is fun and pretty unhinged, much like Ramones or Blondie must have sounded to the first people who heard them. You could thank the manic bassline or the way that the vocals wrap around it like a crazed cheerleading chant. However, the easiest explanation is that it all comes from the gut, from the kind of energy that you either have or do not. Mermaid possess it in abundance.
