
Grinch Simpson – Jinxed
Similar artists: The Growlers, Ty Segall, The Stooges, The Velvet Underground
Genre: 90s Rock, Garage Rock, Alternative Rock
There are so many important professions that require perfect precision. Thankfully, being a rock musician is not one of those. In fact, the bands that care about dead notes, a singer’s cough or the drummer losing focus on one of the fills, are likely not there to play rock music but to write a paper on what it’s like to play rock music.
In fact, uncoordinated, unprofessional musicians who might also like to indulge in the kinds of things that tend to blur the vision and play with the mind, are some of the most beloved rockstars. The day Keith Richard plays the songs he recorded just right is the day we should start fearing that The Stones are over.
Grinch Simpson’s “Jinxed” is spooky garage rock played with little precision and plenty of effort. What it lacks in technical finesse, it makes up in inventiveness and manic energy. And if you’re a true rock fan, I bet that you too will sing the praises of music that cuts straight to the chase.
Project Revise – Free Fall
Similar artists: Rise Against, No Use For A Name, Trash Boat
Genre: Pop Punk
Project Revise play their brand of modern punk-rock like people who’ve been on the run from the law for years now. There’s a manic, paranoid energy to their efforts, but also an ease with which they seem to greet life and what it’s about to throw at them. It’s a strategy that has worked well for many rock musicians.
When it comes to songwriting and performing, a bit of paranoia may be one of the ideal ingredients. Of course, dosing this is never easy. However, rockstars who are, or believe to be, fighting against towering odds are the ones that deliver the biggest of songs about resistance. After all, rock music has always needed an enemy.
Project Revise’ “Free Fall” features a pristine, angry, modern punk-rock sound. That battle, at least, has clearly been won by this trio that sounds ready to take to the big stages. But once they’re up there, they know that they’ll need something to make audiences want to join in passionately. This kind of resistance rock may fit in perfectly.