Penny Mob – Revolution
Were Bob Marley and John Lennon versions of Che Guevara doing their fighting with a guitar? Or, were they, naive dreamers, misrepresenting themselves? Perhaps, a bit of both. However, their earnest belief in social change, and their critical eye towards modern society, certainly helped millions of others embrace the possibility of the world adjusting towards better times.
Penny Mob arrives in the game with this mentality. Yes, you could accuse their track “Revolution” of not offering any palpable solutions as to how things should change, and not providing laser-focused critique.
So what? They clearly believe in what they are singing. They are pissed off about the state of the world, and, even though no easy solution can exist, music should lend courage to the masses.
If you’re through with the election season and still feel like there’s room for real change, why not shake some of the cynicism off, and support bands that are confident that the world needs to be a better place before it ceases to exist.
Alex Bloom – Cigarette
Alex Bloom sounds like he’s arrived at band rehearsals straight from the modern poetry courses he’s been taking. He’s energized and jolted down some words on the tube, on the way over. “Just keep the tape rolling” he might have told the engineer as he attaches Franz Ferdinand like chords to his stanzas.
Does it work? Yep. There’s one hook to this tune that you’re likely to remember. That hook has Mr Bloom including the word “cigarette” in just about every line of the tune. If you’re a nicotine addict or one of a different variety, you may feel that the frantic, repetitive nature of the singing mimics to a tee the endless loop of dependency.
There’s only time for a breather during the chorus, in which Alex Bloom channels his inner Daniel Johns, over a grungy chord progression.
Much like the cig before the meeting or class, this tune is here, and then it’s gone. Minimalist, exciting, modern rock, for those who’ll claim they’ve just smoked their last one when you go ask them for a cig.
