There’s nothing inherently wrong with pop music. Bowie was a pop star. Lennon had been one. And, would you believe it? Morrissey became one as well. Their songs got on the pop charts, photographers took their photos, and magazines rang them up for interviews, asking them about the world’s problems.
So, why do so many folks who listen to “serious music” hate pop music nowadays? Is it because the pop stars, more often than not, seem to have little participation in the actual making of the music? Or, perhaps, it is because, unlike Bowie or Morrissey, the modern pop stars bring little in the way of original opinions, witty commentary, or, well… personality.
Let’s not get it twisted. Pop music can be a wonderful thing. And it can be presented in an endless amount of ways. Deep Sea Camels are here to show one way of doing it that involves loud guitars, interplay between band members, and story-lead tunes. It’s all made available on the new album “This Is Where We Are Now.”
The last thing that Deep Sea Camels want is for you to be anxious or for their music to transport you to a place of dread and worry. Album opener “How to Be Happy” may be inspired by personal woes, but it is dressed up in pretty melodies and a groove that suggests danceable rock music rather than pity parties.
Nah, Deep Sea Camels would rather you remember the melodies of theirs that you hummed the second time you heard their music. “That’s What I’m Told” does the best job of suggesting that you drop by again just in case the melodies didn’t stick the first time around. The song comes complete with a piano intro, gang vocal choruses, and dry humor lyrics.
And, still, Deep Sea Camels take a strong interest in seeing that you, the listener, are at ease. “Day at the Beach” brings to mind early 90s alt-rock. And, while the lyrics tell of conflicts that cannot be resolved, the music sweetly balances everything.
These are tricks that are learned in time. They’re the gift of experience. And, the trio that makes up the band has accumulated quite a good deal of it. Songs like “The Wolf Returns,” “Memory Wall,” or “Birds of a Feather” do enough to immediately prove the collectives’ expertise on the matter of pop-rock writing and recording.
But where does this exercise in creating pop music leave us? Well, ideally, you should still be sitting comfortably. As for The Camels, they may be tired and a tad confused. But they’re keeping up the facade for your sake. The album closer “Exiles” is another neat pop tune, even if it disguises a deep yearning for love and meaning. Then again, it’s what the best pop stars of old were able to do.
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