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Genre: Indie / Powerpop / Psychedelic
From: Silver Spring, Maryland United States
When you hear the words 'concept album' what do you think of? Ludicrously pretentious, self indulgently theatrical art-rock based on an obscure Tolkien novel wrapped up in a double gatefold sleeve with a design by Storm Thorgerson? I know I do!
From: Silver Spring, Maryland United States
When you hear the words 'concept album' what do you think of? Ludicrously pretentious, self indulgently theatrical art-rock based on an obscure Tolkien novel wrapped up in a double gatefold sleeve with a design by Storm Thorgerson? I know I do!
However there was a time before the pomposity of Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Genesis and Rush when concept albums were exciting, new and packed to the rafters with brilliant songs. A time when the strength of the songs was more important than the concept. A time before musicians started disappearing up their own backsides at a rate of knots. A time when concept album gems such as 'S.F. Sorrow' by The Pretty Things , 'The Who Sell Out' by The Who, The Zombies' 'Odessey & Oracle', The Rolling Stones' 'Their Satanic Majesties Request',and The Beatles' 'Sgt Pepper' were released.
The last few years have seen the return of the concept album thanks to the likes of Green Day, The Fiery Furnaces, My Chemical Romance and Sufjan Stevens. You can add another name to the list, Maryland's The Jet Age formed by Eric Tischler and Greg Bennett from The Hurricane Lamps with drummer Pete Nuwayser, who have recently released 'What Did You Do During the War, Daddy?'. Their new album is a 'soundtrack' (another name for concept album for those who remember 'Tales From Topographic Oceans'!) to an imaginary three act musical about the tragic life of a revolutionary American suicide bomber.
'What Did You Do During the War, Daddy' wouldn't have been out of place in the golden age of the concept album yet sounds bang up to date. Churning up the sophisticated punk of The Minutemen and Husker Du, the slacker cool of Dinosaur Jr, the sweaty R&B of The Who and the shoegazing guitar dynamics of Swervedriver the Jet Age produce a powerful concoction that'll fracture your eardrums and help in the campaign to rehabilitate the concept album to it's rightful place in the musical pantheon.
Go Try
MP3 - The Jet Age - Maybe Love's A Transmission
MP3 - The Jet Age - Sometimes You Win Sometimes You Lose
MP3 - The Jet Age - Sometimes You Win Sometimes You Lose
Go Listen
Go Visit
If you like this you'll love the Jet Age...
MP3 - The Hurricane Lamps - Bonnie and Clyde
MP3 - The Hurricane Lamps - I Need To Know Something Good Will Last
Buy The Hurricane Lamps at Sonic Boomerang Records
1 comments:
You are brilliant; I love these songs! Thanks for the heads-up.
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