The Mañanas – Lightheaded Ways
Genre: Power Pop, Garage Rock
Musical success and commercial potential is evaluated differently from one era of music to all others. Everything changes and, of course, at first, all of these alterations seem to be for the worse. But, don’t be too hasty to judge. It’s natural for each new generation of music listeners to want to use songs in a different way.
Back in rock music’s infancy, the idea of using tunes as an accessory for the marketing of various products must have seemed downright obscene. Then, some of the biggest names in rock music began offering their songs for perfume, sneaker, and car ads. Pretty soon, it was acceptable for other bands to do the same. Nowadays, bands create sounds with the hopes and aim of having their music featured in commercials.
But, it’s not like everyone who wishes for it gets their song placed in a big ad campaign. Fortunately for them, The Mañanas’ Lightheaded Ways is the hazy but cheerful tune that could easily power a marketing campaign towards its desired target audience. It’s all in the hooks, the grooves and the breezy, lighthearted delivery. Pop acts need to take their chances when they get them!
The Long Lost Somethins – Voyeur
Genre: Alternative Rock
A lot of the most famous rock music that has ever been is about living in the moment, thanking one’s lucky stars, and wishing that the good times would never stop. It’s no surprise that musicians would want to portray themselves in this way. After all, good marketers as they are, they know that the audience needs to envy them a bit if they are to love them.
However, even the worst of times, when documented properly, make for great rock tunes. From the blues to Scandinavian black metal, tremendous work can come out of dissatisfaction, sadness, or plain boredom. Your worst may just end up being your very best.
It’s saddest when neither the good nor the bad days receive their appropriate historical records. The Long Lost Somethins’ Voyeur is a song that deals with the past so that it doesn’t get wasted for nothing. Like Proust, the band is searching for lost time and unable to grab onto something that will bring it back. It’s a devastating little indie-rock number, but it might’ve hurt a whole lot worse if the band hadn’t gone around to writing this one.
