Mark Peters – Ton of Bricks
The British have always been great at delivering bad news. They’ve done it through their learned charm, their routinely fantastic use of language, and by acting like the smartest people in the room, while avoiding actually delivering the bad news at all.
And, of course, such qualities have helped many excel in the competitive arena of rock n’ roll, where fantasies about the glorious past and the fantastic future that awaits us all have always been in demand.
But where are the sophisticated British prog-rockers now, or the all-too-clever punks who denied them their time in the Sun? Maybe it’s a fine time to come clean. Mark Peters takes it upon himself to be the bearer of bad news while retaining all of his charm and class.
“Ton of Bricks,” to be honest, reminded me of early 1970s prog-rock, but just without the pomposity or that annoying optimism. Nah, this is surprisingly full of emotion, a real soundtrack to receiving the worst news on what should be the greatest day. Peters’ theatrical delivery impresses, but it’s the guitar work across this that’s the real highlight.
Brodie Christ – 16 & 9 Lives
An old punk confided in me recently. He was contemplating the possibility that he’d, perhaps, made one or two strategic errors along the way. Maybe he could’ve ended up becoming a doctor or a lawyer, been some good to people. Instead he chose a life of pushing large speakers up narrow staircases and restringing guitars. “At the end of the day, all you got is the memories,” he said. “And I got me some good ones.”
But does he really? How much can he really remember in between the endless boozing and snorting, and how many of his memories are even his? You see, we’ve a habit of keeping with us just the stories that suit whoever we think we are, or whoever we’re afraid of becoming. Brodie Christ rejects the past and all its illusions.
“16 & 9 Lives” is a charming, Summery country-rock song. But, unlike most songs of this type, this ain’t about the good ol’ days or sweet nostalgia. No, in between poppy, twangy melodies, Brodie assures us that the past is gone and that’s the way it should stay. We’ve only time to move forward, and only one chance and it involves trying to create brand new stories for ourselves all the time.
