Lampland – Nervous Wreck Today
Genre: Similar artists: Elliott Smith, Belle and Sebastian, Silver Jews, Mount Eerie
Modern pop artists shoot for universal themes in their songwriting. And, as they write about things that they believe everybody should be able to relate to, they must already hear the cash registers clinking. Of course, the world needs good time music, and songs about cars, girls and beers will always have some sort of market.
But, aim for your audience’s money, and they’ll know that you don’t care bout their hearts. There’s a reason why pop songs usually have an expiration date that’s shorter than that of a McDonald’s burger. There’s a very similar reason why trying to cover a modern pop tune as a folk song is one of the most ridiculous things that you’re ever likely to hear. Simply put, there’s very little to savor, remember, or talk about. And, consequently, there is very little for people to feel any strong connection towards.
Lampland’s Nervous Wreck Today courts pop music immortality with an entirely different strategy, namely to reveal themselves as honestly as possible. It takes guts to be this open, but also a keen sense of what audiences really want. Most of the time, whether they know it or not, audiences expect art that is relatable. Lampland’s brand of emotional, highly personal folk-pop may not quote the world’s problems word for word, but there is a clear understanding that the singer is aware and troubled by similar topics. A bit of earnestness and understanding is all that the world really needs.
The Jaws of Brooklyn – “Sugar Sugar”
Genre: Garage Rock
The majority of us speak “pop culture” as a second language. And, because most of us understand references related to pop culture without any single effort at all, we’re able to unite over things that cause no harm, encourage no violence, and make nobody unhappy or unwell. Wonderfully silly bubblegum pop hits are one of those things and we are lucky to have them in our lives.
Now, bubblegum is not pop, despite sharing almost every single characteristic. Yes, they are both designed to appeal to the highest demographic possible. Sure, these are not works that you are meant to overthink. And, certainly, they must include a small degree of kitsch to qualify. But, whereas pop music tries to disguise its silliness, bubblegum embraces it. Nobody ought to write a children’s book and start believing that they’re Tolstoy.
The Jaws of Brooklyn’s “Sugar Sugar” sounds like the work of musicians that have tirelessly collected bubblegum and garage rock records for all of their lives. This could be enough, but the Seattle-based group adds a bit of the city’s cool nonchalance. The result is an instantly gratifying single that could have pleased purchasers of 1960s singles, as well indie-rock festival crowds. The secret sauce is all in the sweetness, and honesty behind it. The Jaws of Brooklyn function like great chocolatiers. There’s no pretense that what they’re selling will be good for your health, but everyone involved in the transaction knows that the recipient will be happy with the result.
