Rockfreaks.net

The Sonnets

Western Harbour Blues

Written by: TL on 28/10/2010 21:40:44

I've said it before, and I'll readily say it again. Some band and labels must not even spend a minute figuring out what kind of site we are, before they start shipping us promos, evidenced by the occasional release finding its way here, having not the slightest to do with the term 'rock'. Enter The Sonnets, a Swedish four-piece whose myspace not only betrays that they openly think of themselves as a pop band, it also features photos of the band that will have most traditional rock-type-people rolling their eyes.

I know, I know, music isn't all about appearances, and I do not currently hold a patent on the definition of what rock music is, but since I'm reviewing, let me suggest just one universal ground rule: For me to consider music rock, it must at the very least contain some sort of feeling of adversity, of frustration or struggle - A sense of, as Jack Black once put it "sticking it to the man".

Hence my confusion when a promo like this shows up, sounding like an indie-fied, Wham-style, retro-80's yuppie pop, and giving off vibes that makes me feel like sipping some G&T while admiring my yacht, anchored as it is in the cove which is part of my view, as I relax by the poolside in the garden of my second French summer home.

I'm being harsh, I know, but even if I have some good things to say about The Sonnets, I can't quite help but to think that this music is lost on our site's audience. That's just what tends to happen when guitars are hardly noticed, because a band chooses to send horns and keys running away with the listener's attention, and when everything seems chilled and nothing is at stake.

If however, you are not, as I expect, scared off by such a presentation, you could possibly join me in enjoying this as casual background music, for moments when your ears just aren't in the mood for the usual beating. In that case, maybe you'll feel like me, that there's a chance this band could gain interest, if they let just a bit more drama into their songs, or that you can otherwise at least appreciate them, for the fact that their very indie-sounding singer does in fact manage to cast a bit of charisma over the soundscape. However, even if I am in the mood for something less guitar-y, I personally am definitely not done listening to Vampire Weekend, and if it's relaxation I crave, I dare say DR would know at least a dozen post-rock bands that would do the job, and be more relevant to our site. What I'm essentially trying to say is, that even though this isn't really bad music at all, I have a hard time seeing a Rockfreaks-reader caring for it.

Download: The Blue Train, New Fire In the City, Psalm For Summer
For The Fans Of: Vampire Weekend, Joey Groon, Wham,
Listen: myspace.com/the_sonnets

Release Date 01.10.2010
Despotz Records