Shit the bed, it’s May 1st! The sun is shining outside so let’s talk about a band perfect for Summer. Grab a six-pack of Corona, a sun lounger and a hat, and let’s get away from the daily grind. There will be plenty of time for introspective post-rock noodlings when it’s dark and rainy tomorrow. Let’s give ROSE PARADE a turn on the stereo.
Given the lack of exposure their self-titled debut album received, it’s likely that many Scottish music reviewers dismissed them as not depressing, interesting or twee enough.
Any unsigned band making a straight guitar pop record is likely to face an uphill struggle in the hipster cred circles. It’s the kind of thing that you’ll either love or hate, or at least need to be in the right frame of mind for anything this jaunty.
Rose Parade could probably win over a mainstream festival audience but instead find themselves looking out across small rooms where everyone gets in the swing of it – except for the arms folded, highly opinionated reviewer who wonders why he/she didn’t go to the cool gig around the corner.
Before continuing here’s a disclaimer.
Ayrshire’s gypsy-folk storytelling indie kids ROSE PARADE are fronted by a friend of mine, Ari Ira Pournaras IV, or Ari as I call him. He’s a fellow search engine guy like myself so I’m used to seeing him living in a Sonic Youth t-shirt and debating the merits of various records.
As a band, there’s no doubt everyone contributes to the overall sound but Ari definitely drives things forward from a songwriting perspective. His mixed Greek-Irish-Scottish heritage is evident in that he writes what I would describe as (annoyingly?) catchy guitar pop.
It could be argued that yes, they need to expand their canvas and inject more interesting ideas into their songs but you know what, it’s still more fun than Coldplay’s first album. No band can be this jaunty and also be described as dull.
This is Summertime outdoor barbeque tunage and very few bands in Scotland can pull that off without sounding like they’d sell their granny for a career in music. For now I’m giving Rose Parade the benefit of the doubt as there is nothing remotely laddish about them.
If they turn into Chas and Dave-esque ladrock though you can come round to mine for the pitchforks…
Order Rose Parade’s self titled Debut album here
