Al Holbrook – All The Stars
Similar artists: Richie Havens, The Beatles, Flaming Lips, Lenny Kravitz
Genre: Indie Folk, Psychedelic Rock
There’s great music waiting to be found behind mistakes, missteps, and a general lack of direction. There’s great music waiting to be found in all of the things that a producer can’t predict or prepare for.
The real shame, however, is that sitting around, anticipating these fickle acts of genius is not the way that the record business works. Usually, the preferred strategy involves timetables and formulas. It all makes for very predictable, often bland music.
This all means that we end up being deprived of some of the songs that would soundtrack our lives, enrich them, and even change them. When artists and their associates get too stiff, there’s no need to expect them to move to new places.
Al Holbrook’s All The Stars is a rock sound that functions like a shaman’s prayer. Sure, the performer, just like the shaman, knows all about their power. They don’t know exactly how they will use it, though. This makes them sound as surprised by each of their choices as we, the listeners, are. It’s musical exploration and tune that couldn’t have been found otherwise.
Zaq Baker – Get the Message
Similar artists: Tears for Fears, Joy Division, The Cure, Kate Bush, M83, Cyndi Lauper, Talking Heads, Phil Collins
Genre: Post-Punk, Synthpop
Great pop songs are supposed to be magical, right? That is, at least, what pop culture has taught me. Watch any noteworthy movie, and the fabled, great pop song plays over the scene in which the main character’s life is forever altered for the better. Magic!
Watch any commercial, and you’ll notice the same. Hair conditioner and deodorant products aid in solving the character’s problem. And what accompanies these hallowed moments? That same great pop song.
I’ve formulated a theory that the lack of more magic can’t be because of the people or the lack of the proper deodorant. Maybe there’s just not enough properly wonderful pop music to shortcircuit reality into performing what it could do.
Zaq Baker believes in the magic of pop music, but he’s also clever enough to try and hide it. People are cynical nowadays, after all. Get the Message is a great mix of post-punk and pop, a kind of Joy Division tribute group covering Phil Collins. The lyrics and, especially, the unnecessarily quick groove help it sound downright magical. The next time you’re hoping to change the world, take a listen.
