Prog-pop needs to be libertarian
Sam didn’t write anything in this section this week, and I don’t have much to say. But I really have been enjoying the way everyone’s losing their minds about Barbie not being nominated for enough Oscars. Do you think Sam liked Barbie? Do you think he thought he was performing good allyship by watching and enjoying the Barbie movie? I’m asking these questions knowing that he doesn’t have an opportunity to respond. And in fact we gave it the same rating on Letterboxd. But I still like imagining him tearing up during the America Ferrera part and then like memorising it later.
Here’s what we’re listening to this week.
Zombi “The Post-Atomic Horror”
Sam: The boys are back! Do I prefer Zombi when they’re just doing the Goblin-homage thing? I do! But this still slowly cooks. Or it stews, maybe. I’m never super enthusiastic about stew until it’s literally in my mouth, which is maybe how I feel about this track so far. It’s good! I just want more arpeggiated synths because I’m a simpleton. It probably sucks to be a cool band but all your fans are just mouthbreathers who want to hear the soundtrack from The Fog but with prog drums. I’m sorry.
Jos: Hahaha Sam I would love to hear your Vincent Price impression atop the intro of this song. When you mentioned Goblin I expected this to be a tad more record collector, but not only does it lack synths, it’s not even good dork prog. This literally sounds like watching a metal fan epically lift one eyebrow and raise their hand in a claw formation in slow motion. Damn and it’s not even three minutes long. That felt like an eternity.
glass beach “coelacanth”
Sam: While this unfortunately oozes that “punk band has a manager way too early c’mon why is their contact info in their Twitter bio who needs that information at this time?” energy that Josiah loves so dearly AND ALSO is probably definitely of a piece with the whole strain of emo revival that for whatever reason just seems very annoying to me (“Foxing”)... this rocks. The whole album rocks. I almost wonder if Josiah will like it.
Jos: OMG it opens with a content warning for flashing lights. Thank you, glass beach. But you didn’t warn me about the earnest layers of spoken word, like “The Sweater Song” if it was field-recorded at a voluntary, non-graded English major book club that somehow has too many rules and so much infighting. Okay there’s some cute Thom Yorke singing. Just switched tabs and it appears there is a Breaking Bad character playing the piano in a full hazmat suit. I had to skip ahead. Now there’s some noodling that sounds too clean to me. Okay this is basically just Muse but not as good because I assume they’re not as libertarian. Prog-pop needs to be libertarian, soz.
Chastity Belt “I-90 Bridge”
Jos: I don’t think I’ve ever heard this band, although I’ve definitely written articles about them before. The thing is, when you’re making minimum wage to churn out bullshit about music, you just start using context clues to figure out what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t listen to most of the stuff in here either if it weren’t for the fact that it might mean I can get some gentle ribbing in on ol’ Sammy boy. Anyway, this band’s new album is called Live Laugh Love, so I think it’s high time I start paying attention. I’ve felt it for a while — the mommy blogger inspirational kitchen sign aesthetic is bubbling up. And I’m here for it. I’m so ready to be fully on board. Except this kinda sounds like all of my friend’s bands in 2014 who were always playing upstairs at the Palomino at 3pm during Sled Island, and I’d always go see them even though so few of them would come see my bands. I still wish it was them on Stereogum instead.
Sam: Was initially stoked thinking this was Chastity but as soon as it started I knew something was off. Why even bother being in a band if it sounds like this. What motivates you. At least most of the doggerel I enjoy is made with some degree of enthusiasm. Maybe it’s because there’s been THIRTY HOURS of sunlight in Toronto so far this winter, but this makes me want to fucking die.
Tanlines “Vanishing Point”
Jos: The first Tanlines album on Matador was one of the first promo CDs I got as an editor at FFWD Weekly, and I remember being so thrilled at the opportunity to get something like that in the mail. God, what a bleak memory. I wish I had aimed higher in life. Anyway, I still have some strange fondness for this band, even tho they look like two distinctly different but equally evil kinds of Gen. X creative directors — the kinds of dudes who use the word “jawn” and were too vocal about recent bootleg Steely Dan merch drops. Anyway, they’re back with a new 7-inch which is a completely bizarre thing to be back with in the year of Sam’s lord 2024, and this A-side is a pretty nice little pop rock tune. Maybe Sam will like it!
Sam: I hadn’t deliberately switched tabs between the last two songs I wouldn’t have noticed any difference. This is better by enough degrees to make me only wish I was in a long, calming coma. It’s actually growing on me so I’m going to stop listening now.
Patrick Holland Infra (mixtape)
Jos: Adding something I actually really like because I don’t know why I just did two “new music radar roundup” style picks. You know I love Patrick Holland a.k.a. Project Pablo, and he just dug into his working files to create a seriously great mixtape called Infra that collects his various styles into one toe-tappin’ masterpiece. This is a really, really solid listen. Sam, put it on while you’re getting into your grindset.
Sam: Why didn’t you put this first. Why did you make me listen to “Chastity Belt.” This is sick. I’m rising. I’m grinding. I’m linking and building? I’m honoured and humbled to be working with such a great team? I’m moving on to my next adventure? Please hire my brilliant colleagues? Some personal news?
