It's stupid for me to write about 2025 releases. Even though every single year I make a resolution to listen to more new music, I never do.
I could not get into a lot of the hyped stuff. It may me just my jaded nature to be over critical of stuff that's being sold to me as the greatest thing going. So I'll keep it short.
My favorite album in 2025 was McLusky - The World Is Still Here And So Are We. Holy shit. Not just comeback album of the year. Album of the year.
There was other stuff I liked, Home Front, PUP, Testament. There was stuff I didn't care for - Propagandhi (I know!), Turnstile (definitively NOT hardcore), Scowl, etc.
The most disappointing album for me was The Dirty Nil's The Lash. I love this band, but didn't love this record. I merely liked it. But I was dying to love it.
There's a lot of bands I see mentioned that I never did listen to - Wet Leg, Scarab, Water From Your Eyes, Wednesday
And then there was... Geese. I've been hearing a LOT about Geese's Getting Killed from culture podcasts and critics. Everything I've heard has been passionate, generally positive, but sometimes negative, citing the vocals.
So I decided to gave it a listen and it's.... pretty good? I mean I absolutely do not get the hype, but it's not bad. And about the vocals. A lot of people have issues with the vocals. But if you're an actual fan of rock music, you've heard vocals like this a million times and probably prefer a little weirdness. If you like Neutral Milk Hotel, Meat Puppets, Car Seat Headrest, or Daniel Johnston, then this is really not a big deal and not worth even discussing. My favorite song on the album is probably the opener, Trinidad, which kinda feels like a throwaway opener, but does some strange percussive things that remind me of Faith No More at their weirdest.
Here's my problem with the album, and it's actually a problem with critics, not the band. I keep hearing Geese referred to as the savior of rock music. But, that's a loaded phrase. I don't think this is what most people have in mind when they hear the words "rock music". This is indie rock. There's no real rock 'n roll swagger here. I like the album. It has a good vibe and quirky lyrics and themes. But what's lacking are any memorable hooks. Nothing get's stuck in your head. You won't be humming any of this, which is the ultimate test for me.
The question is why would you go to Geese as the rock savior when McLusky is RIGHT THERE? If I didn't know any better, I might suspect that NYC indie rock bands get a disproportionate amount of attention and love. But that's not true, right?
Totally with you regarding The Geese. It's the same kind of hype i remember from Arcade Fire and countless other similar alt-indie-ish-type rock bands whenever they first got noticed. Competent band with unique and briefly interesting sound, but nothing that really grabs you and makes you want to replay it more than once or twice. Too much flourish and not enough substance.
ReplyDeleteThat said, and even though no one asked, here's a list of my top 5 favorite punk (specifically) albums from 2025:
Cigarette Camp "Steps"
Soft Play "Heavier Jelly"
The Brokedowns "Let's Tip the Landlord"
Jodie Faster "Saint Lundi"
Dark Thoughts "Highway To the End"
I am going to listen to all those. I need to stop listening to the same things over and over.
ReplyDeleteI song into Cigarette Camp. Hell fucking yeah.
ReplyDeleteListened to them all. Very good. Soft Play are McLusky-ish. But that Cigarette Camp is soooooo good. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked them! Cigarette Camp really is great. Soft Play have a similar sardonic edge to McClusky. My problem is I'm the type of person who tends to over-sentimentalize a band's earlier stuff and it often spoils later albums for me. I think loved the first couple of McClusky albums so much that this most recent one just fell flat when I heard it. My guess is I'll revisit it in a little while and end up appreciating it a lot more.
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