365 – New Music Daily

Three new listens: Two intertwined groups, and a nice psych-indie record.

Only feel like reading about music you think you might like? I get it. This post has reviews from The Sex Pistols (Punk), Arctic Monkeys (Alternative Rock), Unknown Moral Orchestra (Psych-rock, Indie Rock)

Nevermind the Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols – The Sex Pistols

The Clash birthed punk? The Clash brought punk to the mainstream? Fuck that. This is the foundation of punk without question. The Sex Pistols guy definitely has that same Violent Femmes (talk about influence from the Femmes, btw, one of many bands that would probably not exist if not for this record) talky-singy vibe on a lot of these songs – but man, the structuring is so punk it’s ridiculous. Not only that, but it’s very influential for rhythm (you would think since I write that word so much that I have begun to spell it right, but no) guitar riffs. Again, same with Television; is it the best punk rock record? No. But it’s wholly important in the landscape of rock music, and it still bangs.

Favorite songs: No Feelings, Problems, God Save The Queen, Anarchy in the U.K., Pretty Vacant

Favourite Worst Nightmare – Arctic Monkeys (Alternative Rock)

A perfect segue here, you could certainly argue that Favorite Worst Nightmare would not exist without the Sex Pistols. However, I think what’s more important is to emphasize how intertwined the musical landscape truly is. Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys frontman) has said that Is This It completely changed his life. The Killers (who may or may not make this blog, genuinely, that’s not a tease, I’m not sure if they have anything past Mr. Brightside, speaking of…) said that after they heard that Strokes album, they trashed everything except for Mr. Brightside. Much like the Femmes would probably not be a thing without the Sex Pistols, the Monkeys would probably not be if not for Julian and the boys. Respect and acknowledge influences! Though tread lightly and be original, sometimes wearing influences on your sleeve can be a bit obvious. (as if any major artist would ever read this).

This album is worse than their previous, which was reviewed at the top of August, however it’s still got some nice alternative rock cuts. You can, however, feel the band start to go in that more poppy direction, which in my opinion is worse for their overall sound. Still worth checking out if this is your sound.

Favorite songs: Teddy Picker, D is for Dangerous, Fluorescent Adolescent, Do Me a Favor, The Bad Thing, 505

II – Unknown Moral Orchestra (Psych/Indie Rock)

Lead by a song known around most alternative weed smoking crews circa 2016, II by Unknown Moral Orchestra features a plethora of nice, often a bit melancholic indie/psych rock cuts. I wasn’t necessarily wowed by this one, but they do have some nice songs, and some of the guitar riffs are really pretty. And this is why the abbreviated format is necessary sometimes, because I have nothing else to say.

Favorite songs: From the Sun, Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark), So Good at Being in Trouble, One at a Time, No Need for a Leader, Monki, Secret Xtians