It's no surprise I don't write many 'Alternative Weekend' posts anymore. I am far too lazy to listen to new music, especially to material created now, as my preconceived perception of it is far too negative.
I do listen to many a YouTube premade list, but it's rare that something catches my ear. I honestly think my tastes are getting more extreme by the day. I blame it on decades of listening to the same old shit, year in and year out via the radio; it's done something anomalous to my brain.
Trail of Fire – Oceansize (Frames – 2007)
Oceansize are a band I have been aware of for some time, and as usual for me no longer exists having split around 2012. I did try in the past to listen and have their sound resonate but it was not to be.
That was until ‘Trail of Fire’ very recently. This song was so loved by ex-fans I did my usual trick of listening to it around six or seven times and that’s when something started happening.
I could hear it just on this one song. Like many of these other recent progressive bands, they have that certain style that which drones into my head but somehow doesn’t explode.
...'Mike Vennart seems to have a huge mouth which is always good if you are a vocalist; you do need to open wide if you want to make an impact'...
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The closest I can compare them with is 'Frost', another one of the noughties bands that I struggled with, besides a solitary track that @steevc managed to impart into my head.
Like many progressive songs, it tends to meander in and out going through a few strange phases, but it's the last three to four minutes that started hitting me and moving me to that place that only the musically appreciative can acknowledge.
Second Time – The Goa Express (2022)
A few days ago I met up with some guys I have known for 35 years or so. One of them has a son who is now part of a local band and has attained a record deal with Rough Trade.
He insisted we listen to some songs as any proud father would, and I placed them into the ’alternative’ category which should have been a plus, but it wasn’t the time and place for me to give them any justice.
The Goa Express also feature in the Netflix film, 'The Bank of Dave' which I have yet to watch. Anything local to me of course, sparks my interest and I will add it to my 'watch list'.
Since then, I tried and listened to several of their tracks but the music is too upbeat for my tastes. Let's face it, you are not going to get famous by shoving out dismal, dreary, depressing music; just ask Steven Wilson.
I wish them all success, but until they adopt a markedly darker tone and/or increase the length of those radio-friendly tunes, I will be waiting in the wings. I'm sure 'Gaz' will let me know when.
Superblast! – Lush (Spooky – 1992)
It wouldn't be an 'Alternative Weekend' without a little Lush. Miki Berenyi has been touring the country lately, and performing at venues quite close to me such as Todmorden. The caveat is that she is now in another band, and unlikely to perform any Lush songs.
For this reason, I have vetoed any potential gigs, as intimate as they may seem.
Some of their tracks from the wonderful ‘Spooky’ and ‘Split' albums were quite rocky and I particularly love the harmonies between the two girls when Emma decided to sing, even though the miming synchronization in this video (below) is fucking horrendous at times.
...'Miki is no longer that wild red-haired vixen, but I still love her, and Emma'...
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Superblast! rocks, is a chuggy type of song, and not at all like the typical 'Shoegaze' sound from their best years of 1992-1994.
For a band that doesn't have a keyboard player or even uses the instrument, I can't fathom how they attain the type of sound I am hearing in the last minute of 'Superblast! which I would place firmly in the progressive genre.
I personally think they nicked a keyboard for this one.
A Bad Dream – Keane (Under an Iron Sea – 2006)
Keane is another band that seems to have dropped off a cliff. After the success of 'Somewhere Only We Know’ who everyone knows they quickly released their second album, ‘Under an Iron Sea’.
‘A Bad Dream’ was a song I quickly managed to resonate with, and somehow reminds me of The Beatles. This is an edited version of the track I am familiar with although I don’t see anywhere evidence that it was released as a single.
After their second album, they drastically changed their style, something admittedly a band must do to survive, but the new direction was not to my liking.
I checked their discography and they are still going, though with dropping sales on every album. This is typical of me, not listening to current music means I am out of touch.
Fucks knows when the next ‘Alternative Weekend’ will arrive. I have... to coin a phrase, pretty much shot my load.
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