Moderate Rock

Relentless, right? The bad news. It keeps barreling toward us like a mudslide, no way around it, no way to ignore it. It’ll crush you if you’re not careful, if you don’t keep your head up. So, under advice from a close friend, I’m trying to accentuate the positive. Below is what was on Moderate Rock’s playlist for the month of May, and some happy thoughts about what got them there.

• KILLS BIRDS- Volcano
• GLORIOUS- Unashamed
• MT. GREY- Fake High
• SPARTA- Cat Scream
• GROW RICH- Cat Flag
• GHOST WORK– Go Stat
• SPICE- First Feeling
• J. GRAVES- Lo the Mourning
• PAY FOR PAIN- Fallen Angel
• EVERYDAY PHARAOHS- Years & Years & Years
• LAPYEAR- See Inside
• DISHEVELED CUSS- Oh My God
• KIDBUG– Theme From Kidbug
• CHINA BEARS- I’m Not Eating Like I Used To
• BEN SERETAN- Am I Doing Right By You?
• ULTIMATE OVERSHARE– Backscatter
• SWIM CAMP- Leaf
• OWEN- A New Muse
• KEATON HENSON- Career Day
• MOGWAI- Moon in Reverse
• BIBIO- Sleep on the Wing
• SQUARE PEG ROUND HOLE- Evening
• WRAY- Wishing
• NO JOY- Birthmark
• LOE– Goodbye Columbia
• DIVISION OF LAURA LEE- Apartment

I love Kills Birds as a band name, it feels like odd phrasing but rolls off the tongue, off-kilter but catchy, just like their music. I love the way Mt. Grey hide emotional alt rock melodies and big riffs in their pop punk. I love that you could put that J. Graves song on a garage rock playlist or spin it a disco and it would work equally well. I love the widescreen, yearning vibe of the first minute of that Ultimate Overshare track. And I love that Ben Seretan song so much, it may even be my favourite of the year so far.

I hope you find something to love too.