Two Year Vacation – Majored In Broken Hearts
Genre: Pop Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Electronic
It takes everyone a long time to truly get familiar with the majority of musical styles in the world. I started out early, but, I admit that by my first teen years, the majority of the records I owned consisted of gloomy punk and post-punk records. I was suspicious of everything else, especially records designed to make you smile, dance, or feel like you can take on the world. Pff, what did they know?
In keeping true with the bands for which I’d developed a real passion, I took a vow to never smile, give away that I was having a good time, or endorse things that generally make you feel good. Still, even the most battle-scarred goths will tell you that there is a time and place for everything.
Pop music is the perfect soundtrack to silly, over-the-top exhilaration about being alive. If you’re like me, you might not feel this often and it’s best to have a good song lying around. I can only recommend the pop talents of Two Year Vacation and their single Majored In Broken Hearts for when the moment strikes. Teen idol vocals, big pop guitar noise, and even a few classical music flourishes make this a tune hard to ignore even if you feel entitled to wear your frown and black clothes on a daily basis.
Dope Lemon – Stingray Pete
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Lo-fi Rock, Indie Rock
Similar artists: Angus & Julia
If miraculously you managed to teleport your 20-year-old self to the greatest party of the 1970s, you would probably not do in the threads that you’re wearing now, would you? If you were to be the same and go 50 years in the future, what you’re wearing is still unlikely to cut it unless the fashion trends have made a full turn and returned to where they are now.
The basic gist of ideas remains the same though even as the exterior changes. The true greats of the psychedelic era of music would be able to cut it even today if assisted by the right producers and fashion advisers.
Think of Dope Lemon as one of those people suddenly beamed into the present. Yes, Stingray Pete plays just like a wistful rock track from the 1960s, but it’s dressed in fancy new clothes, making it harder to ignore for the modern listener.
