Juice and Weatherhood Reviewed
Juice – Freedom
Music is a simple joy, a thing that everyone enjoys, and should be one of the few topics on which we all can agree. Anyone can make as much music as they want and perform it at any time that they please. You can get whomever you want to perform it with you, and, within reason, can sing about any topic that you wish. And because of this, because it’s such a sweet, simple pleasure, music becomes complicated.
Since everyone gets a try, it’s not just well-intentioned people who write and perform music. Tunes, grooves and melodies get used in a bid to convince people of various things that are bad for themselves and for others. Songs written to show how bad the world is replace tunes of joy. Music becomes a complex political tool.
That’s why sometimes, it’s good to break things down to their core elements. Juice’s “Freedom” attempts what seems impossible – writing a hippie, innocent-sounding track in 2026. It’s not easy! Many people have lost hope!
However, relies on old topics and hopes this will make the difference. Juice uses lovely vocal harmonies and sweet country-rock elements, along with lyrics about freedom that avoid many of the tired cliches. Simple pleasures should never be fully forgotten.
Weatherhood – Mother/Master
Soon, we’ll need to put all the statisticians out of business. Nobody wants to collect data anymore. Nobody dares to ask difficult questions when designing polls. There’s nobody who’s happy about what they reveal.
One thing that is clear, and a general look around will show this as much as numbers will, is the fact that few of us can concentrate anymore. We don’t remember what we promised we’d never forget. We can’t keep track of our thoughts.
This also means that, in order to relax, most of us look for easy fixes. Pop music, especially, has become shorter, dumber and more predictable. If you feel afraid that you’re also slipping, Weatherhood might be what you need.
“Mother/Master” is constructed of esoteric poetic lyrics and a blend of folky finger-picked guitar and progressive rock ambitions. It’s heartfelt, but not enough to grab you in a friendly embrace. Weatherhood, instead, embraces the mystery and asks you to do your own digging if you should need more.
