A Fresh Epoch of Dad Rock: Is It Here to Stay?
Revamped Rewrite
Hey there, pal! So, last year, I snagged a remote gig, holed up in a swanky Brooklyn crib – moved in just before a hell of a pandemic hit. You guessed it; I caught COVID and spent weeks in isolation, leaving my daughter to be smothered with birthday cupcakes by her mom on Zoom. Once I recuperated, I'd throw on Waxahatchee's album, Saint Cloud, and zoned out to its soulful tunes.
Fast-forward five years, and Waxahatchee's frontwoman, Katie Crutchfield, is sounding pretty dad rock if you ask me. And let me tell you, old boys are digging it. Take Wednesday, a band from North Carolina, that's causing a stir with their new single, "Elderberry Wine." Their upcoming album drops later this year, and Waxahatchee will join Rilo Kiley for their tour – a major mom-rock reunion event of 2025!
But it's not just Central America tripping out over Waxahatchee and Wednesday; indie rock is all the rage with the cool cats and their dads. Matt Berninger, the lead singer from The National, just dropped his second solo album, Get Sunk, with a vibe that'll take you back to your Gen X days – in case you needed a reminder of how fast the years are flying by!
Friendship, a Philadelphia outfit, has released an awesome new album too. Its climax, "Resident Evil," gives off some Silver Jews Summer vibes – the perfect soundtrack to your never-ending, stressful roommate saga.
And hey, remember when "dad rock" meant stiff old boys in tie-dye shirts listening to the Eagles? Think again. These days, mama bears are loving tunes, too. So, if you thought dad rock was a thing of the past – think again! Now, it's a diverse mix of sounds and artists from all ages and backgrounds.
In case you're curious, some bands you might hear labeled as "dad rock" these days? Nickelback, Blink-182, Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco, Waxahatchee, Wednesday – even mega-popular female-led indie acts. Yep, the times, they are a-changin'.
But it's not all sunshine and roses; there's some debate about whether the term is still relevant or even appropriate. Some critics argue that it lacks accuracy and is too limiting. After all, not all of us want to mellow out to classic rock all the time, right?
So, what's your take on this dad rock movement? Are you feeling the tunes or are you more of a grungy punk rock kind of person? Let me know; I'm all ears!
- "Interestingly, we're seeing a diverse blend of artists, like Waxahatchee, Wednesday, and Katie Crutchfield of Rilo Kiley, elevating the dad rock style into a mixed cultural movement that resonates with both young and older generations."
- "If you're a fan of music that bridges the gap between generations, then the current entertainment scene offers an array of must-read artists, including indie artists like Friendship, Matt Berninger, and even some unexpected bands once labeled as dad rock, like Waxahatchee."
