Oscillatina and The Violet Parade Reviewed
Oscillatina – Three Little Aliens
Most rock stars are lost. And, frankly, most of them would rather stay that way. They’ve been convinced that this is the place where they can come up with their best material. Their publicist, manager or bandmates told them that nobody will want to snap photos of them anymore the moment it’s rumoured that they’ve been seen buying baby diapers and formula.
And, sadly, because of that, most rock stars are unhappy and, thus, can only write about being that way, about not being able to relate to the world, and about wishing that something sensational would happen that could erase all these feelings.
Perhaps it’s time that we normalise normalcy in rock music. Sure, it won’t be the circus of old. But it’s likely to make both listeners and artists happier than they used to be. Oscillatina’s “Three Little Aliens” is a gorgeous, little psych-ditty about family life and a song that provides a soundtrack to one child’s fantasy worlds. It’s sweet and jangly; the melodies are nothing to sneeze at. Best of all, like Bowie on “Kooks,” the artist isn’t tortured, but rather enjoying themselves, trying to make their spouse and kid smile.
The Violet Parade – Never Coming Home
Nobody likes being talked down to. That’s just a fact. You can be a truck driver or an award-winning script writer. It doesn’t make any difference. All of us want to feel appreciated, respected, and, somehow, connected to the artists we support.
You should consider this little fact the moment that the next rock star stumbles towards the microphone and tells a bewildered audience that they’ve been writing a rock opera based on Germanic folk tales from the Middle Ages.
And you should remember that when the people in the audience finally start to boo.
People don’t want to be talked down to, and they expect the same from the pop songs hoping to make a connection with them. That’s why The Violet Parade, a proud-to-please Dutch pop band, is unlikely to have the same issues.
Yes, on first impression, “Never Coming Home” sounds just like a radio jingle. However, that’s where the song’s glory lies. Stuck around long enough and you’ll find yourself tapping to the rhythm of those jangly guitars and whistling the melodies. Everyone near you who can hear the music is likely to be listening as well. The Violet Parade makes pop music for everyone, and that ain’t to crime.
