Tag: Ska

  • The Prosecco Diaries by Femmes Voyous

    The Prosecco Diaries by Femmes Voyous

    Album: The Prosecco Diaries 

    Artist: Femmes Voyous

    Released: July, 07, 2025; Witch House Studios 

    Punk bands fronted by ladies, while not unicorn rare, are not exactly a dime a dozen the way punk bands packed full of dudes are. So, when you tell me that I should check one out, I am always happy to oblige. Femmes Voyous hails from Edmonton, Canada and as their name suggests (Rogue Women in French) aren’t your stereotypical “girl power” packing pop princesses. Their music is loud with in your face lyrics that are often as humorous as they are scathing. 

    The opening song on the album is “Phoenix and Raven”. It is as much a thesis statement for the album as it is a punk rock girl boss anthem. Immediately as the guitars kick in and the drums start pounding, you can tell you’re going to have a good time with this song; something, if you like this song, I can guarantee will continue for the rest of the album. I really can’t overstate how this song stakes its flag securely in the ground and declares—this band is two girlfriends out to have a good time rocking out together.    

    Candy” is another that really sets the stage. The guitar work is fantastic. The lyrics are poppy and fun in a way that really works with the metaphor the song employs. It is an extremely well put together rock song. So much so that I wouldn’t fault you if you looked up the song credits to see if it’s a cover. It is of course not, but wouldn’t be out of place on a Blondie album, no doubt. 

    Now “Punk Rock Boys” is where the Femmes Voyous’s scathing humor really shines. It is an ode to shitty boyfriends of the punk rock variety. I have no idea who the person is who inspired the song but consider that dweeb thoroughly roasted. When the chorus comes in, then they hit you with the lyric, “I loved his crusty ways” it’s so meta; I just find it endlessly hilarious. It’s my favorite song, followed in a close second by “Dive Bar”. Another great, upbeat song in the same vain as Phoenix and Raven, but this one includes a great bit, featuring a mock phone call from a boyfriend. In my head canon its the same crusty dude from Punk Rock Boys, but who knows. In it, the the boyfriend is whining about who is going to make him breakfast and the line “Your Fucking Mom” is dropped and again it just kills me. Like damn, go off queen. 

    “The Prosecco Diaries” as a freshman offering goes hard. It is a blast from beginning to end. It’s all about showing you a good time and quite possibly might even fight you if you try to be a curmudgeon. If you didn’t have fun by the end of it, you should probably go to the doctor and make sure you’re not dead.  

    If you like the album I reviewed here and want to support the artist as well as this blog please consider picking up the album via this affiliate link—> Purchase The Prosecco Diaries by Femmes Voyous digitally via Amazon Music 

  • Songs to Listen to While Fighting Capitalism

    Songs to Listen to While Fighting Capitalism

    playlist

    Maybe you realize that the history of Capitalism has been a long and storied tale of making everything worse for the common folk so that a few people can get unimaginably wealthy. Maybe you feel some kind of way about that. Maybe you even want to do something to make it stop. If so, you’re going to need some tunes to listen to and keep you motivated for every step of the fight.

    Step 1-

    The first step to solving any problem is to first acknowledge that there is a problem and then begin to understand it. These recommendations really lay out the case that the reason we are here is because of deeply entrenched systems that manufacture consent and respond to any threat to the status quo, even a peaceful one, with violence. Last, complacency of people who would rather look the other way than deal with the reality of the situation.

    Illusion of Choice” by The Best of the Worst

    Wake up” by Rage Against the Machine

    The Way you Tune it Out” by JER

    Step 2-

    Now that we laid out and understand the problem, it’s time that for individuals to decide that they can and should do something to help change things. Unfortunately, Capitalism tries really hard to keep people alienated and feeling helpless. You do have the power to enact change. The following recommendations will help work out that inner turmoil and motivate you to act.

    Warning Dystopia” by Common Sense Kid

    Damocles” by Sleep Token

    New Gilded Age” By Atlas and Oracle

    Step 3-

    While it is important for individuals to realize their capacity to act and make change, they don’t have to do it alone. In fact, success can only be achieved when individuals come to together, cooperate and fight for change. These recommendations will motive you while you find and build your communities and support each other.

    Earth (We’re in This Together)” by How I Became Invisible

    They can’t Kill Us All” by Apes of the State

    “Salvage” by Space Monkey Mafia

    Step 4-

    Now you’ve got your community by your side. You understand the problem and your ability to make change. It’s time to act. Get out, get organized, find out what your community needs and start making things happen. It’s not going to be easy and it wont be quick. Your gonna need to stay motivated. These recommendations will keep you going when things get tough.

    A Glorious Shipwreck” by Pat the Bunny

    Boss Fight” by Doom Scroll

    Barrier For Entry” by Half Past two

    End Step-

    So through the power of solidarity and music, you’ve managed to defeat Capitalism. What now? Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what to do next. Anyone that tells you they know exactly what you should do now is selling you a grift. Lucky for you, however, everything you and your friends learned and practiced during your struggle against Capitalism are exactly the skills you need to build what comes next. So instead, I am going to offer up one more song recommendation to get the juices flowing. So, at the risk of seeming a little cliche here is –

    Imagine” by John Lennon