Vast Robot Armies – Dinner Music (Redeux)
Nerds and geeks make for great things, friends, but I’d reconsider having them over for dinner too often. People without any hobbies or interests make up the majority, and they’ll usually find things related to politics, the weather, or something equally banal to complain about. Nerds and geeks, however, will ramble on about the intricacies of whatever has drawn their attention.
There’s a time and a place for that, of course. And, if there’s one area where these people are in demand, even scouted, it is progressive rock. Of course, few, except for quasi-reunited versions of Yes, can use the term without getting laughed at. Nah, complex rock music now goes by more stylish terms like “post-rock” or “math rock.” But, apart from obsessions with wizards and mystical worlds, it remains, for all intents and purposes, progressive rock.
Vast Robot Armies are a little too clever and capable musically for their own good. That’s why they pull an old prog-rock trick and blend their ideas with trendy pop music tones. The result is “Dinner Music (Redeux),” a song that is easy to hum and difficult to study. Being pleasant on the ears, but also attracting the attention of fans demanding a bit of musical sophistication is the mark of a good composer in this particular genre, sure. Vast Robot Armies ought to be confident about the band’s efforts.
The Strange Ones – Dying Inside
Finding a cause to join is easy, and just about everyone’s out there looking for one. Finding one that helps you while not hurting others is really difficult. History is littered with well-intentioned people who ended up pulling the trigger for someone or another just for a chance to fly the flag on the palace steps. The few who made it to old age would confess to the young ones that it was not worth it.
With most of us looking for a movement to join and the majority of us lacking the expertise of a good one, we’re bound to make the wrong choices. Most of these clubs promise glory, riches, or, the more esoteric ones, a role in serving God & country. But they lie. In fact, if you’re still looking to be admitted to a club, you can still start a rock band. It won’t require martyrdom or even the ability to tune a guitar.
The Strange Ones’ “Dying Inside” is desperate, passionate rock music in the vein of The Replacements. It’s a song for all of the people who haven’t found a calling, who haven’t stamped their party membership card, and who feel like the world is crushing them slowly. You should find it easy to relate to this feeling, and if that’s the case, you can thank rock n’ roll for it. The Strange Ones are doing better than most people who are achingly looking for something.
