I generally enjoy an expansive definition of rock — 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations for Sade and Ozzy, A Tribe Called Quest and Cher, all fine by me. But I also enjoy the Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble’s definition of rock: wild, gnarly, blunt, brave, bombastic, loud, fast, out of control, and downright weird.
For more than four decades, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble has introduced Boston to its new favorite rock band. This year’s April 4 to May 4 run at the Middle East and Sonia will be no different. To get a head start on this world series of local rock, here are five songs from five contenders that take a rumbling definition of rock, an interpretation that winners from the Neighborhoods to the Dresden Dolls to One Fall can get behind.
“Locals,” Roser
Sounding like a clattering mess and a sweet indie pop outfit all at once is a great Massachusetts tradition (see Pixies, Belly, Speedy Ortiz). Lowell quintet Roser follows that template so well so often while also making it its own. “Locals” is the band’s most bewitching piece of magic. The 2023 tune crashes with waves of scratchy guitars and drum thumps, intertwining vocal harmonies that cry above the din, towering crescendos and clever breakdowns. Live, this could be a killer set closer.
“Maybe It’s Time,” Ruby Grove
OK, so maybe this one is a little Sade-ish. Ruby Grove matches the silky smooth with glitchy beats, creaks, and guitar growls. And “Maybe It’s Time” is a wonderful reminder that rock can absorb so much and keep on rolling. This hypnotic track synthesizes trip hop, electro, lounge jazz, neo-soul, goth, and more into a fabulous fever dream. All of it made more trippy, catchy, witchy by Melissa Nilles’ call of, “Maybe it’s time/Get rid of those nightmares/Takin’ up your time/Everything is within reach…Everything.”
“Ana,” JATK
Here’s a great idea: Take a Beach Boys’ style song and violently throw it forward a half century, rev it up, redline the guitars, overdrive everything while keeping the hook. That’s what JATK do on “Ana.” This Arlington power-pop outfit and brainchild of songwriter Matt Jatkola has had a big few years culminating with 2023 nominations at both the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards. Firing up “Ana” at the Rumble could lead to another year of winning.
“A Series of Chemicals,” The Magic City
A 2024 contender with a real Rumble pedigree, The Magic City’s members come from Rumble alums Reverse (’03), the Daily Pravda (’13), the Daylilies (’19), and Graveyard of the Atlantic (’23). But The Magic City doesn’t sound much like any of those acts. The band’s second single, “A Series of Chemicals” is tight, bright, sharp and poppy. It’s British Invasion and Brit Pop, Boston in the early ’90s and New York in the early ’00s, yesterday and tomorrow, immortal and fresh.
“Today,” Lovina Falls
Ex-Mistle Thrush singer/songwriter Valerie Forgione has taken two (three? five? a hundred?) steps forward with Lovina Falls. To call Forgione’s new project a rock band is right and totally wrong. First, she wrote, arranged and recorded debut album “Calculating the Angle of Our Descent” as a one-person show. Second, it sounds like the soundtrack to a wonderland where the Bohemians, goths, punks, and dreamers took over.
For tickets and a full schedule, visit rockandrollrumble.com
