Old Joy – Pocket
It’s all designed to seem uniquely glamorous. Rock musicians either resemble some kinds of Greek deities who’ve somehow mastered the art of playing electric guitar solos, or they’re gutter poets who reject society and all that it could possibly offer them. Either way, it feels like very exclusive clubs, the kind that you’ll struggle all of your life to get into.
And because they’re designed that way, it’s easy for rock n’ roll to end up sounding preachy. It seems that half the songs are encouraging you to “Go for It” and “Win at all costs!” The other half are telling you that there’s no future and that you’re dumb to even care. What about some empathy? Old Joy have it.
In fact, the music that Old Joy works with in the band’s bid to give you a sonic warm hug is fitting. “Pocket” is designed around beautiful melodies and resonant, jangly guitars. This is a power-pop number that’s ready to tell you straight on that it knows you messed up. But it’s also prepared to tell you that it’s alright and, in fact, it’s almost kind of normal. It changes nothing about who you are and what you’ll achieve. It’s a rare dose of understanding in rock music.
gingerella – Chip Shop Romance
That an Anglo-American domination of the charts would exist for the early decades of pop music’s existence seemed something certain. That this domination would continue, nearly, without being contested even as both sides of this global Empire would enter its periods of crisis and self-doubt, is quite astonishing.
Well, there’s no way around it. We’ll just have to admit it. French chansons and Düsseldorf schlager are all fine and good. But there’s no pop music. Not really. So, what are the Anglo-American cultural overlords talking about? Cars, girls and depression back in the until-recently affluent States. But back in Limey?
There’s a beauty to a chippy that is hard to describe for those who’ve never visited one. I’ve only come to know, sadly for my cholesterol and blood pressure, in the last Summer or so. But, I tell you, it’s where dreams come to thrive and where the natives congregate to talk about love and romance in the good old days.
Fittingly, gingerella’s ode to true matters of the heart happens in one. “Chip Shop Romance” is a lovely, polite song about those tiny things in life that give us hope. It’s not the kind of song that, sadly, has been on the charts much lately. But make no mistake about it. This is about Imperial domination as much as kisses in between mouths of fried haddock. It’s a wonder, and it’s here to stay for a while yet.
