Twangville on EBIUA

(via twangville.com)

This is a heavy album that, while often dark and gloomy, is somehow incredibly energizing. What is particularly impressive is that this album arrives immaculately fully-fashioned from a group that just formed last year. And did I mention that most of their songs were written in the moment, essentially improvised? These guys ain’t messing around, they came to play.

“Crawl No More” opens with an ominous hook but quickly builds into a fiery rocker. “Ain’t gonna crawl no more,” growls singer Craig Rawding, “go find another dog.”

The quintet gets their groove on with the funky “NYCD” while “Cold and Dark” has a blustery blues feel burnished with some simmering organ. “Ben the Destroyer” lives up to its name with an intense and bruising beat.

The intensity remains even when they slow the tempo down. “Devil Wants to Get Paid” leads off with a retro electric piano but the band quickly joins to kick things up a notch. The brooding “Punchline” finds Rawding asking, “I don’t even know why I’m laughing when I’m the punchline to the joke.”

Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Curtis Mayflower. You’ll be glad that you did.

http://twangville.com/18463/mass-ave-a-special-boston-playlist/