Original Son – Parasite
Genre: Punk, Pop Punk
Similar artists: Dead to Me, Red City Radio, Social Distortion, Bouncing Souls, Lawrence Arms
The great thing about modern punk-rock is that it stands with the underdog. The problem with modern punk-rock is that the underdogs often turn into losers. Some people need encouragement. Others simply need some motivation to pull themselves up.
With this in mind, in recent years, a new breed of punk-rockers have sprung. They sing about the common man. They’re proud of the common man’s struggle and success. Best of all, they offer encouragement where many of their peers would merely pour their anguish.
Original Son’s Parasite is a working-class punk tune. Much like The Gaslight Anthem or Lawrence Arms, this is music made by people with more Bruce Springsteen records in their collection, than hardcore ones. There’s not only room for music in this world. There are also a lot of people that actively need it as their daily pick-me-up. To us that makes sense.
Night Shop – Let Me Let It Go
Genre: 90s Rock, Indie Pop, Alternative Rock
Similar artists: Flat Worms, The Babies, Hand Habits, Jess Williamson, Kevin Morby
Being smarter than your peers could be the best or the worst thing that could happen to someone. Sure, there are the confident, mouthy types. Try convincing John Lennon he wasn’t great at what he did. Why he’d likely turn commando hippie on you.
For others, it hasn’t been as simple. Many artists have found themselves with too much to say for a world incapable of listening. This is enough to make artists feel confused, lost. The only consolation is that some manage to document their feelings.
Night Shop’s Let Me Let It Go sounds like what Tom Petty might have sounded like if he’d never left his home town. The song is clever and melodically beautiful. It also attempts something nearly impossible. Night Shop looks to capture the feelings of despair and utter elation. Siner-songwriter Justin Sullivan is smart enough to be able to do that. We just hope that it does him good in the long run.
