Old Goodbyes – ANAeurysm
I like to see and hear people wrestle against incredible odds. I’m almost always interested in seeing people put up a fight even though, and especially when, they know that they have no chance. I’m not a sadist at all. I just want to see people refuse to accept defeat.
That’s maybe the reason why I’ve always preferred punk-rock and garage bands. I’ve always enjoyed seeing bands bomb in front of a small club crowd than witness groups playing to a stadium-sized crowd for the millionth time in their career.
I don’t want to start selling you on the idea that everything endorsed by a gigantic corporation is bad. I don’t want to give you false hope in telling you that everything will be alright in the world if you choose the little guy. But, at least, part of those arguments are correct.
“ANAeurysm” by Old Goodbyes is punk-rock played by the skin of the musicians’ teeth. It’s music played by people who have something to lose. And, when the lyrics tell you that for a while “nothing’s turned out right,” you have every reason to believe the singer. When somebody brings this much passion to art, they’ve succeeded. Forget about the record sales and merchandising deals. Old Goodbyes snatch victory from the jaws of defeat here.
Last Second Dropout – It’s OK
Listen, man, sometimes it takes as much courage to get out of bed as to dismantle a bomb. At least, the pyro expert is trained for their kind of work. The folks peeling themselves out of bed and launching themselves into a new day receive no instruction manual.
I wouldn’t want to start giving you lessons on how you should honor every single person you meet. But, once in a while, with moderation, it’s a good thing to consider just what it took to get them to even be there.
Take your favourite songs, for example. I know that Spotify likes to convince that those songs magically appear on to your app and that musicians are fairly compensated. But, for the most part, it’s the case of musicians doing their best to fight against disappointment and to create something entertaining from a blank slate. That takes guts!
Having a sense of humour in the face of angst and strength also takes plenty of guts. Last Second Dropout’s “It’s OK” is a pop-punk smile in the face of hardships seemingly designed to grind you into dust. Keeping that grin on your face is made easier by Garth Richardson’s excellent production that recalls the flavorsome, fun rock songs of the 1990s. Last Second Dropout delivers something that’s clear, and catchy. And, because the band put in the effort and refused to have their day ruined, they’ve just slightly improved your day as well.
