1 post tagged “bomb the music industry”
5) “Get Warmer”, by Bomb the Music Industry!
And speaking of change, Bomb the Music Industry!’s new album “Get Warmer” documents the biggest change in the New-York-based DIY Punk band. This change is that when I say New-York-based, I mean formerly New-York-based. The album is a loose concept of front man Jeff Rosenstock’s move from the Big Apple to Athens, Georgia. This move upset many of the band’s local fans (such as myself and a few of my friends), but hey, that’s not what I’m here to discuss. ‘493 Ruth’, ‘Unlimited Breadsticks, Soup and Salad Days’, and ‘Get Warmer’ all discuss the move, with what seem like mixed feelings from Rosenstock. But a lot of his songs aren’t entirely straightforward; he likes looking at both sides of the situation, such as in ‘Unlimited…’ where he goes from a chorus of “I don't know why I always complain about something/When what I got to complain about's nothing” to “As we sit around being broke/I'm losing my penchant for jokes/It's just wry half-truths from a privileged youth/With a constant nostalgia for bad times when they're through”. In fact, the only song that is straightforward sounds quite different from normal Bomb the Music Industry! songs. That song is ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’, and as you may have guessed, it is a vicious attack on an ex-girlfriend. But instead of the loud, brash post-punk sound he is known for, listeners are lured into a false sense of security by what seems like swing music. But this isn’t just some hokey swing sing-along; the lyrics are just as biting as anything else on the album, and one of the coolest drum solos I’ve heard recently is beat out in the background.
Speaking of drum solos, this album is another change for Bomb the Music Industry! in regards to the lineup. For the first time, Jeff uses actual recording equipment and a live band (including a drummer, a first for the collective) in all the songs, and it sounds great. It gets a bit cluttered at points, with guitar, synthesizer, drums and vocals all vying for the lead role, but that isn’t an entirely new problem. The album isn’t perfect, but Rosenstock’s Do-It-Your-Fucking-Self mantra comes in loud and clear in every song, even when he’s doubting himself in ‘Depression is No Fun’ and ’25 Hour Goddamn Telethon’. This band is the only one I know of who can write entire albums about being broke and unhappy and not lose my interest at some point. By far, ‘Get Warmer’ is the best album Bomb the Music Industry! has put out, and if you still need more incentive to listen to it, it’s free! As with everything the band does, all their songs are available for no cost at their website (www.bombthemusicindustry.com), and it is astonishing how the band continues to grow and improve when they aren’t getting paid for what they do. Kudos, gang; this album is the anthem of the poor-college-kid generation.
Recommended Listening: “Unlimited Breadsticks, Soup and Salad Days”, “No Rest for the Whiny”, “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, “Get Warmer”.
-blake
