A lonely voice, wailing to the world: why can’t you understand me?
Not only does this describe my attitude toward what I hereby dub SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy) Rock, it pretty much sums up the message of the genre itself.
In my case, I would like to know why SNAG Rock has proliferated kudzu-style all over the sonic landscape. In the SNAG Rockers’ case, they would like to know why their girlfriend dumped them/why they screwed up a good thing/what the meaning of it all might be.
Not familiar with SNAG Rock? Oh, sure you are. Picture an overly hirsute dude (shoulder-length hair and/or five o’clock shadow), age 26-42 (not that they’d admit to anything over 27) wearing jeans and a black t-shirt or some other ensemble that says: my publicist made me wear this outfit; in real life, I am too obsessed with living a life that is true to my deepest self to care. You know the look.
The lead singer is the heart and imaginary soul of the SNAG Rock band. His voice would not exist had Eddie Vedder not been born a decade before him and cleared a path. Oh, Eddie; I’m not blaming you. Do we blame Nick Drake for the career of Duncan Sheik? No. Do we blame Tiffany for the career of Ashlee Simpson? No, we blame Jessica Simpson. And her creepy dad. But I digress.