Stumbling across new music that resonates is always a joy — whether it comes from a new discovery or from an act that has been recharged. The first case happens with the indie pop band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart; while an old love reggae gets a much-needed update, courtesy of Ziggy Marley.
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (TPBPH) — Days of Abandon (Rainbow Music, available on Amazon). An indie pop band from New York, TPBPH has undergone several personnel changes for its new studio album, but the characteristic wall of sound with strong ’80s influences still propels the band forward. Recorded and mixed in London, it’s encouraging that this new chapter recalls the music of such bands as Prefab Sprout and The Cure. It’s Art School Rock updated for today. The radio-friendly Kelly is a must with naughty lyrics about “filthy films and swill,” and “lush with a healthy mistrust.” I loved the track Masokissed and The Asp in My Chest and the bonus tracks all bring home how the ’80s synthesizer-driven music can still be very much alive and relevant today. A party band that has “hipster” stamped all over.
Ziggy Marley — Fly Rasta (Tuff Gong Worldwide, available on Amazon). During the summer days of my misspent youth, Bob Marley and reggae would be a staple of that era’s soundtrack, so I’ll always reserve a soft spot for that musical genre. While Ziggy may not have filled his late father’s giant footsteps, it hasn’t been for lack of trying, and it is great to hear how he’s still at it on this new release. Sunshine and Give It Away are very much in the vein of his father’s music; but give credit to Ziggy for also forging new territory. On I Don’t Wanna Live in Mars, there are overt rock overtones, while the title track subtly mixes rap into the mix. The slower songs like Lighthouse bring in gospel elements, and I loved the humor of You‘re My Yoko. It’s a strong, consistent album that should make the sun shine.