I'm the first to admit that I'm not a great songwriter. I wouldnt say I'm a good one, or even a mediocre one. Lets just take it as gospel that I'm highly unlikely to write something as complex, witty or cutting edge as 'The Wheels On The Bus'.
Despite this handicap, I was giving it my all with the band I'm in(the fools gave me lyrical control. Looks like "..Wheels.." may make it to number one after all) and wondering why some people can churn out consistently great songs, and I can barely string two half decent phrases together.
Not only that, but where have those genius' gotten to in the modern age?
These days, it seems to me that even moderately successful bands have the shelf-life of a particularly unhealthy mayfly and will be forgotten in the blink of an eye. A little bit more than a one-hit wonder. Maybe a "half-album wonder".
I am in possession of the album 'Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D' by a band called Switches. I dont know how I came to have it, but I do. I cant remember ever hearing a song on the radio. I also have literally no idea what has come of them since, or how they got to the album pressing stage. Obviously I could read up on Wikipedia, but that would defeat the purpose of me not knowing.
Anyway, this album is really quite good, and should have had much, much more exposure than I'm sure it did.
Similarly, a band named Reuben, who I'm sure that you musical connisuers must have heard of, have an unbelievable number of incredible songs and yet, were always just under the radar, despite extensive touring and heavy exposure from Zane Lowe.
It may just be me, but two very, very good bands passing by the publics attention in favour of The Kooks, The Killers and La Roux should be classed as a crime, and the perpetratiors brought to book.
I dont claim to know a great deal about the three acts I've mentioned, but I have given them all an honest listen to with an open mind and I've discovered a few things. Namely that A) Luke Pritchard of The Kooks is a talentless imbicile, and if he can do it, so can I. B) That all you need to do in order to be successful, a lá The Killers, is rip off any number of other bands and wear a pink jacket. And C) La Roux are awful, and that Charlotte Jackson has an incredibly limited vocal range.
If I'm honest, I dont think I'll ever see any of my favourite bands make it to number one. I'm not about to run away screaming that I'm the foremost in edgy, underground fandom, far from it, but the day that something that hasn't been over-produced to the point where you can hear the polish actually gleam from the sound gets that coveted spot on Top of the Pops (I'm assuming there will be a "revamp") is the day that I'll believe that humanity isn't dead.
Posted In Features, Dec 13 2009.
Words - Garry