Penny Roox – Mean
Feminism has really come a long way in a good chunk of the world. And, most of us, if honest, can admit that the world is a better, safer place because of it. Abuse of any kind, even low-level one like manipulation is nothing to joke about. Still, the less treaded territory usually makes for good song material.
This is the case with the humorous and heartbreaking love song by Penny Roox entitled Mean. You may think that in this day and age the topic would be a tad sensitive even for more lenient pop listeners. However, from the sultry singing to the message itself, this is not much different from Marilyn Monroe’s lollipop speech in All that jazz, a bonafide film classic.
There’s a bit of Lana del Rey inspiration here in the anguished, heartbreaking, yet glamorous performance. However, it’s the character of Penny Roox’s vocals and confessional lyrics that makes Mean a compelling listen.
7-11 Jesus – Kill Your Friends
Rock is anything if not escapism these days. Maybe it’s become simply a healthy way of letting off some steam. But, damn things have changed. There was nothing imaginary about the threat posed by some of the original rock n’ rollers. Cheats, killers, and men with dubious personality traits created some of the most enduring guitar-driven music back when rock was still young. Motley Crue may have acted the part, but they’d freeze in fright at the chance of meeting Jerry Lee Lewis, or Johnny Cash in their primes.
The threat and the possibility of absolution are both gone too. The hippies took care of that. But, for some talented, strange characters, intent on spending their lives dreaming, rock still possesses a certain allure. That’s the case with 7-11 Jesus as they present their single Kill Your Friends.
Advertising works its way in everything, whether we know it or not. Judging by the title, this is clearly not a song likely to be used on an advert for potato chips. And, to be fair, the tune provides the weirdness you may expect in full woozy, dreamy lo-fi indie-rock glory.
