Big Bliss – A Seat at the Table
Similar artists: R.E.M., New Order, Interpol
Genre: Post-punk
Art can’t help but reflect on the times in which it is made, especially when it tries to avoid it. But, then again, art is one of the few things that clearly delineates one era from another.
The fact is that the artist’s hands are covered in the dust of the period in which they are working. If they’ve got their ear to the ground at all, the collective joy or manic paranoia of those around him will reflect in the way that they see the world. And this will inevitably impact their own.
Big Bliss’ A Seat at the Table could be a song written about the global angst of recent years, or it could be a song written about cookies. It’s not important. The song captures the angst of the time because the artists have felt it. The tense post-punk instrumental and the Michael Stipe-like cryptic lyrics only add to the effect.
Big Bliss are telling us about themselves and, in doing so, speaking about us as well.
Humano en Tránsito – El Ruido
Genre: Latin Rock
Evolution has played a few tricks on us humans. One of them involves making quick judgement calls. Sure, it’s helped us survive many dangers. However, it also makes us rush to conclusions, not appreciate our experiences fully, and makes us swim in a very shallow pond.
Most of us take this approach to everything in our lives. We think that we know instantly whether we think a face is attractive, whether we think a dish tastes good, or whether we like a song. All these decisions, make us lose out on a lot.
Humano en Tránsito’s El Ruido mixes familiar sounds with what many listeners will find exotic. It’s alternative rock married to a Latin rock groove. It’s modern rock sung with South American fervour. It’s dynamic and almost jazz-like in its approach.
But don’t just make up your mind based on my words. And don’t just decide based on your first seconds spent with the song. Let it capture your imagination, and you’ll be rewarded.
