The film Juno goes down as one my generation's landmarks, creating a presentation style only later to copied and warped by MTV's "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom." Still, the film had great music and I had a solid album for some shoveling.
Celebration Rock- Japandroids:
This 2012 release that I first took a pass on because by the time I read about it in Rolling Stone I was too steeped in a set summer mix and then later bought the next but to quote George Constanza, it didn't take, it now exists as go to when I am looking for some indie rock. I feel it would be unfair and off target to characterize the group as Canadian Black Keys but I was first drawn to it because it came out of a duo. I enjoy hearing how two, and just two, musicians can relate to and work together.
The album both opens and closes with fireworks, major points for that one. Truly they do invite you for a celebration. For me on Tuesday, it worked nicely as I seized the day and tackled the task shoveling. Out of season in a sense, still I enjoyed all the elements that led to the attention Rolling Stone gave it.
Two particular elements came across: musical craftsmanship and poignant lyrics. In fact, the later almost gets lost in the former but nonetheless this listening experience is created where you are moving (in my case shoveling) along to the music and try to catch all that is sung.
The album details a young man discovering his sexuality. It is both playful and serious, in all the best ways. Some of the highlights include "She'll kiss away your gypsy fears / And turn some restless nights to restless years" from "Fire's Highway" , "So come and find me in this moment / and expose a passionate man for what he is" coupled with "I'll run to find you in this moment / and expose a passionate woman for she she is" from "Evil's Sway" ,"With her blitzkrieg love / roman candle kiss" from "Adrenaline Nightshift".
"Younger Us" is as much an anthem about being young and having friends as anything I have ever heard. It ends up on about 70% of the mix CDs I make and it is honestly one of my all time favorite tracks. It both speaks to me about my own youth and inspires me to further explore it. In the case of this snowstorm, it pumped me, had me moving across the driveway a little faster
Arguably the album's strongest tracks, these four songs also possess a musical landscape to match these lyrics. The playing is as much about exploration and pride as the lyrics. Sure, we have all heard fast, loud guitar playing before, but it comes with a purpose. It is not loud simply to be loud. It is auditory excitement. I have never seen Japandroids live but I imagine they jump when they play. I like to think the notes also jump, leaving the instruments ready to meet the world and bring some meaning. It borders on racing but I like to think of it as running.
Another possible slight against the style might be that all the songs sound the same. I like to think that they are fabric cut from the same cloth coming together to form a quilt with different scenes from the same experience. I think that some lyrics from "Younger Us" capture it best "Waiting for a generation's bonfire to begin / when the plunder of a poets / thunder of a punk's guitar."
That pairing at the end, a poet and punk, it also does well to caption the album, which did well to provide some music for a snowstorm.
