Greg Black – Don’t Do It
Genre: Disco, Indie Pop, Dream Pop
Playboy millionaires get a lot of sideways glances. I suspect. Many people quietly complain about the way that these characters lead their lives. A lot of people grumble about the good fortune that has befallen philanderers. Born into money, good looks, the gift of gab. It certainly doesn’t seem fair.
The same sort of people is much more forgiving when one such pleasure seeker bites the dust and goes searching for some everlasting grace. Everyone smiles when recalling their adventures. People praise their bravery. And, many even pretend to have known the deceased.
Confident pop performers are a lot like that. Greg Black’s display extraordinary sang froid on the mellow, disco-tinged Don’t Do It. There are people that might be rubbed the wrong way when it comes to the confidence on display. But, it’s an act. Deep down inside, most would like to show the same kind of carelessness in the world of pop music as Greg Black.
Justin Sconza – How’d You Get There from Here
Genre: Indie Folk, Americana
Justin Sconza’s debuts the melancholy-filled single How’d You Get There from Here.
Great singers need to also be great actors. There’s no point trying to suggest a powerful emotion if you’re unable to also convey it through your actions. Whether it’s an expression of grief or anger, audiences must be made to believe what it is that the singer is suggesting.
But, what about the listeners? Are they all the same? Certainly not. Properly appreciating music also involves some kind of acting and plenty of intelligence. In any kind of art form, the public’s participation is essential. Their powers of understanding are vital. Even humble art forms like pop songwriting require this.
Justin Sconza’s How’d You Get There from Here beautifully draws an outline using sound. There are plenty of empty spaces though. It’s up to the audience to fill those in. How? It’s up to them to become creative with their choices. Justin Sconza does offer an evocative musical backdrop that could serve well as a soundtrack piece. Now, we all just need to figure out what images it will accompany.
