Sorry for the dearth of posts. I’m back home where the internets are slower than Bengie Molina. Was dial-up always like this and I just had no frame of reference? Or has it actually gotten slower? Anyways, instead of posting about one of the many, many bands I was planning on trying to squeeze in before 2007 runs out, I’ll talk about one which has the notable advantage of MP3s online that I can deeplink.
The Coathangers do the punk thing and they do it well. Short songs, the sometimes elusive combination of power chords and snarling vocals, and a great DIY sound. It’s a record that was recorded in a couple days in a cheap studio and sounds all the better for it. All fun, no pretense.
Parking Lot – The Coathangers
If there’s an indie rock heaven, I picture The Replacements and Sleater-Kinney playing a couple late afternoon jams together, and I can’t help but think it might sound a little bit like “Parking Lot.” A great little melody that relaxes itself deeply into your subconscious while you’re busy getting pummeled by the vocals. In particular, the interplay over the last 45 seconds kicks the ass of pretty much everything else I’ve heard this year.
Shut The Fuck Up – The Coathangers
Less pop, more snark – you can make a pretty good guess what this one sounds like based just on the title. But the thing that really makes it is the keyboard, which gives some serious depth to an otherwise incredibly simple track.