A Bet You'll Always Win

Whenever I hear someone say, "Modern music sucks," I always propose a bet. And the bet is this: I will give you $1000 if you can name three bands that were started in the last five years. They can't, of course, because their pronouncement isn't an informed decision based on paying attention to the music of today. It's just bitter-old-person-syndrome (BOPS)

And yes, the top 40 can often be a bit of a crapshoot depending on the whims of the moment, but outside of that, there is always good music being made. Much of it that harkens back to whatever era some people suggest was when "good" music was made. (Usually what people mean when they say modern music sucks is that it doesn't sound like the music they listened to when they were 14 i.e., the last time they were engaged in what new music was coming out.)

What follows is some new music—from the past year or so—all of which is heavily influenced by the music from earlier generations. 

If You Know That I'm Lonely by Fur

Sounds Like: Late 50s pop mixed with modern bedroom rock

Onion by Shannon and the Clams

Sounds like: 50s doo-wop, 60s girl groups and surf rock and a little 80s punk. (Will undoubtedly be in my top 10 for 2018)

Color Out of Space by Dommengang

Sounds like: 70s Rock

Still Waking Up by Tim Darcy

Sounds Like: I thought The Smiths when I first heard it, but my pal Toby nailed it when he called him a babyfaced Roy Orbison. 

Behind Closed Doors by The Strypes

Sounds Like: 80s Pop Rock

Nameless, Faceless by Courtney Barnett

Sounds Like: Early Liz Phair and other mid-90s female rockers

We Out Here by Villain Park

Sounds Like: Late 90s Hip-Hop

More by Cape Cartel

Sounds Like: A mixture of all sorts of good shit from the past 50 years