Nostalgia will never go out of style, I tell ya. I went to the Sound of Music Festival not too long ago, where concertgoers packed the Burlington waterfront off Lake Ontario to see retreads Live and Bush relive their mid-’90s glory years. That may be a bit harsh as the show was more than ALT-equate (OK, Ed Kowalczyk trying to do “Losing My Religion” made me cringe; “Paint It Black” was a much better effort IMO).
Bush’s set didn’t strike me as them cashing in their chips, even if they aren’t above playing the odd casino these days. At age 53 Gavin Rossdale isn’t an old sod quite yet, and has obviously been working on his revenge bod in the years since splitting with Gwen Stefani. Watching him spryly bounce onstage made me begin to think of who I didn’t include on ROCKthusiast’s “Throwback to 1994” playlist but are of the era so to speak and still going strong. Feel free to also subtitle this post as “Definitive Dad Rock”.
The Smashing Pumpkins - Solara
Sure, it would be nice to have D’arcy back in the fold. With a not-terrible album under their (somewhat) reunited belts though, Billy Corgan’s team is batting slightly better than the Guns N’ Roses sluggers in the fantasy softball game playing in my mind.
U2 – Get Out of Your Own Way
Love ’em or hate ’em, I dare anyone reading (or listening) to come up with another band who could pull off big-ticket tours like U2 did with The Joshua Tree’s 30th anniversary AND Experience + Innocence in back-to-back years. Email me your wrong answers!
Depeche Mode – Where’s the Revolution
How Dave Gahan is still alive today all things considered is pretty mind-blowing. We should regard ourselves as fortunate the legendary Depeche Mode are around to school young’uns on the right way to make EDM-type music that stands the test of time.
The Cure - Lovesong
2019 is shaping up to be a big, non-doom and gloom year for The Cure. Besides being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their debut album is 40 years young, and new material is apparently on the way that has goth poster boy Robert Smith smiling.
Alice in Chains – The One You Know
The improbable career renaissance from a band who had a singer thought to be irreplaceable. This isn’t to say Soundgarden should start holding auditions, but kudos are definitely in order for William DuVall, who’s succeeding by NOT emulating Layne Staley.
Bush – Bullet Holes
From what I’m hearing of the latest John Wick movie, you’d swear it’s this generation’s Godfather Part 2. Can definitely hear how Bush’s new “Bullet Holes” fits in perfectly. Who offered to have their back scratched first, Keanu Reeves or Gavin Rossdale?
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Brendan’s Death Song
The Chilly Willies have done it all, from performing nearly buck naked wearing oversized lightbulbs to the foot of Egypt’s ancient pyramids...where they of course had to cover Radiohead. The quality of their post-2010 output has remained impressively high.
Duran Duran – Pressure Off
Think kids today would believe me if I told them Duran Duran was to the ’80s what One Direction or BTS are now? I didn’t think so either, but Janelle Monáe certainly knows what’s up, guesting with HER teen idol Simon Le Bon on this modern new wave classic.
Beck – Saw Lightning
Everyone’s favourite music Scientologist has changed his colours more times than a rain forest chameleon and Madonna combined. (Or is that Madame X now?) Beck has gone from slack-folk “Loser” to serious GRAMMY winner and back to party-heartier. For now.
Radiohead – Electioneering
Ah yes, let’s end with Radiohead. You know, that band who have never stopped trying out new sounds or using their platform to rail about politics and were ultimately rewarded with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction? Just glad they played Toronto again.
Did someone say “Again”? Give Not Washed Up Yet another stream!