Welcome all to 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿, a series of weekly reviews by Charles Connolly - an artist in his own right. Here, Charles delves into the greatest brand new singles brought to you by the best unsigned artists on our electrifying and eclectic set of 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘼𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 playlists.
𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 - 𝙀𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙤
Charles contemplates time and its association with the stigma of age.
Youth is everything. Youth is the very essence of life. Youth is vital. But it is the ever-diminishing tight boundaries of its definition that concern me. I am all for praising the young and their talents, but why should someone aged 25 be made to feel middle-aged? Are they destined to depart this Earth at the age of 50? People only live longer these days, so that can’t be right. Despite this embiggened life, our “youth” continues to truncate. Surely it would only be better to live longer if we can have more of the good bits? Not to say adults of wise and experienced maturity are having a terrible time, but it is simply different. Almost ALL emphasis seems to be on youth and youth only, in this modern era. The world is tackling racism and sexism at an enormous and rather astounding pace, but ageism is rampant and continues to grow with every year. I simply do not understand. Experience is in my opinion the greatest asset, and is by definition the one thing the young can almost never have. Age is also the ONLY thing we all have in common - we start young, we grow old. I will leave you to ponder that thought and mull it over.
This week however, brings us a man who seemingly foresaw the inevitability of old age from a distance, and despite the looming thoughts, was somehow comforted by the idea. On limps Ed Corrado, stick in hand - only joking, Ed - with his brand new (rather old) single, Time. I say “rather old” not meaning it is tired or dated, but simply because it was recorded 27 years ago (1994), when Ed was a young man! He is now (…) less young.
I will start by saying that this track thrills me. It is exciting, with boundless energy - something at which the young are perhaps better. There is a HUGE 60s influence, not uncommon for music of the 90s, but this influence was only really noticeable from around 1995/6 - Ed was (only just) before his time! We stab in with a mighty guitar riff which could easily have been played by Pete Townshend - but wasn’t. Then within 3 seconds, we’re in!! It is like listening to The Beatles, with Paul on bass and all three singers doing the “ahh” backing harmonies. Ringo has been usurped by Keith Moon or maybe Danny Goffey from Supergrass - a most underrated band. And then Ed’s lead vocal - oh wow. Not John (well, maybe a bit), not Paul, not George and certainly not Ringo! There is gravel and power in this performance - a difficult one to explain, but I will try. Simply put, the closest I can get is a blend of Noddy Holder from Slade, and early Alice Cooper…! I will forgive this record sounding undeniably 90s (60s pt.2), as that was when it was recorded! Ed Corrado seems to precede any more obvious 90s influence - think bands like Dodgy, Ocean Colour Scene, Supergrass - they were all just getting started. I only wish that he had been found and signed back then - he’s be one of the greats of the era. The good news is, we get to hear it fresh, right now. And FRESH it really is. Vibrant, even!
Despite the heavily British influence of Britain’s finest, Ed Corrado hails from Canada - also one of Britain's finest (winky smiley face). The single, mastered at Abbey Road - where else? - pushes us through with such boundless and explosive energy - I’m still convinced this is Keith Moon on drums. The guitars are full and thick, and backed frequently with fat brass sections. The song is the opposite of subtlety, but it never once tries to be subtle. It is brash and brazen, and proud to exist. Unrelenting in a good way. Think of Pop Art - it is wonderful. It is not subtle. It’s not about the painter’s strokes or fine technique, but simply to have the goal of creating a pleasing image. Ed does just this.
Lyrically speaking, “many years from today, your children will comfort you when you’re old and grey” - hardly Roger Daltrey singing, “I hope I die before I get old”. More like Robbie Williams singing, “I hope I’m old before I die” - but again, Ed got here first in switching our ideals. I will never know how Ed managed this mature wisdom at such a young age. I was CERTAINLY not like that when I was younger.
The immediacy of Time, is what instantly pricked my ears and grabbed me by the trumpets - I just couldn’t ignore it. I then found myself listening to it on repeat - I was lucky enough to get an early copy of the track, so I’ve been listening to it for weeks. I can tell you that it truly stands the test of time.
Hopefully we’ll all be allowed to stand the test of time. Bloody ageism.
Listen to 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 on the 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 Spotify playlist HERE!
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So encouraging to read this. Rock and roll may be a young man's game, but you're only as old as you feel. Great article, and great song.
You've nailed it once again, CC! It used to be "never trust anyone over 30." Now it is more like "never trust anyone over 20." :)