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Tag: Folk

  • TRASH TO THE TRASH GODS by Bergie & The Magic Bag

    TRASH TO THE TRASH GODS by Bergie & The Magic Bag

    Album: Trash to the Trash Gods

    Artist: Bergie & The Magic Bag

    Released: April 4th, 2024/ Beautiful Rat Records

    Bergie & The Magic Bag is an interesting mix of indie rock, folk, and punk. So, if you are looking for that sort of thing (lord knows I am) then Trash To The Trash Gods is definitely worth a look. It also has a clearly defined since of humor that comes out through the album that makes it a highly enjoyable listen.

    The first song that I would like to talk about is “FOREST OF LONELY SOULS”. It has a really cool electronic vibe and a super chill melody. The song is about being lonely but seeking refuge in a place where you fit in with other lonely outcasts. Aside from the ambience and serene feelings the music generates that make this a standout song for me, there are a couple of one liners in this song that are unexpected and genuinely hilarious. It isn’t often that a song makes me audibly chuckle, but this song accomplished that on my first listen. “Rockstar (Nothing Like the First Time 2)” features some pretty big piano that really takes over the song in a fantastic way. This song also features the humor of Bergie in the form of a detailed and convoluted story about taking ecstasy at a show.  It is absurd and ultimately pointless and harkens back to American Folk performers like Utah Phillips who were known for telling such shaggy dog stories. I, for one, think that we should bring this kind of thing back. They are little snapshots into the culture of the time that I can not get enough of. The last stand out song for me is “20 For Tie-Dye.” This really tickles the brain of the theater kid that lives inside me. It tells a story of a group of friends having small adventures in a very slice of life kind of way. I can easily imagine this performed as an on-stage musical theater style complete with sets costumes and dance numbers. This song is my favorite on the album because it is very fun entertaining and honestly makes me want to go on a fun little adventure.

    I know that I have spent a lot of words talking about the humor of this album, but I want to be very clear this is not a comedy album. The songs I have chosen to highlight are indeed humorous and that is what I think makes them unique and enjoyable. However, there are so many songs on this album that are straight up amazing bangers. For example, “ALL HAIL THE D-TRAIN” and “MIKE WE NEED TO WRITE A FOLK PUNK SONG” are classic folk punk songs. “(Everybody’s Headed To) BROOKLYN!!!” Is a smooth indie rock bop and “TRASH TO THE TRASH GODS” is a guitar driver rock song with horns about life and the road. As a whole, this album checks a lot of my boxes in really innovative ways that keeps me coming back for more. Every song is a blast to listen to and they are all varied in ways that makes beginning to end album listen throughs an experience that never grows boring or tiresome. Bergie & The Magic Bag’s TRASH TO THE TRASH GODS is every bit a spectacle as it is an extremely well executed musical masterpiece.

    This review was originally posted on April 5, 2024 on the former LFDH substack.

  • in the garden by Stone Skipper

    in the garden by Stone Skipper

    Album: in the garden

    Artist: Stone Skipper

    Released: February 23, 2024- Bored Science LTD

    “In the Garden” is the first and newest album from the Folk Punk Band: Stone Skipper. The band hails from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia specifically. I have no clue what they are putting in the water out there in PA but that state produces an exceptional amount of really good bands. Stone Skipper’s strong first release is proving that observation true yet again.

    “1991 Jeep Comanche” is the first song on the album and it is pure vibes. I am a sucker for banjos and this song has some great banjo melodies. The lyrics sing of finding peace in a secluded lifestyle in the country away from harm. The vocals and music are calming and work to create a serene atmosphere. I spent most of my teenage years in rural Ohio and this song makes me a little nostalgic for that time and place in my life.  While this is a tough call, I think this song is my favorite on the album, because of the amount of visceral nostalgia it makes me feel. “Too Young” has a great vocal performance that is rhythmic and catchy. It works well in conjunction with the drum beats and banjo. The lyrics sing of feeling overwhelmed by all of life’s problems and wanting to run away from everything to avoid it. Even though I’m quite literally a middle-aged man, I find this a very relatable feeling. I again really love the cadence of this song it is endlessly enjoyable. “I Never Paid a Toll” is the most heartwarming song on the album. It is about the joy of finding a person that truly and completely gets who you are as a person and the courage and freedom to be yourself you get from that type of relationship. The lyrics are humorous and a little cheeky. The song is definitely a bop. The last track I want to highlight is actually a cover of “I Don’t Even Smoke” originally by the band Stick and Poke. It’s a great cover. Plus, I think the song fits very well with the sound and feeling of this album. It’s cool it seems Stone Skipper is paying homage to a band that hasn’t been active in a while but made great music that I really enjoyed.

    Stone Skipper’s “In the Garden” provides everything I want from a Folk Punk album. Catchy instrumental performance, meaningful lyrics that are ripped straight from personal experiences all crammed into a punk rock soul. This album is a solid must listen for any fans of the genre.

    This review was originally posted on March 23, 2024 on the former LFDH substack.