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Rating: A whimsical journey among colorful visionary creatures and cowboy ballads, village festivals amid hay and the stench of cow dung, a country attitude aimed towards an unclassifiable punk. A circus oddity: while the cannonball woman dances with the sad dwarf and the Siamese twins have finished their parade, a crier announces to the crowd: "Here come Angry Johnny and the Killbillies!" I couldn’t have done better to make you imagine what kind of freak show this Massachusetts band could have been.
The real problem with this music is that you can't tell if it wants to amuse or sadden me. The instrumental part is ambiguous, acoustic guitars unleash themselves in rodeo ballads, the banjo plucks its characteristic tone on the brightest and funniest strings in music history, while the harmonica and lap steel bring back the darkest memories of my existence. And what about the vocal line? The singing part tells stories that are sometimes surreal, let's say in a certain way funny (not always), with a low, nostalgic, disappointed, and unsatisfied tone of voice. It's no coincidence that we see a clown on the cover, perhaps to foreshadow the band’s double game, a figure closely linked to entertainment showing its sad and sick soul.
Between rockabilly solos, violin serenades, various brass elements, and a varied introduction of instruments, Angry Johnny and the Killbillies manage to strike the listener by introducing them into a sort of limbo of sensations.
The lyrics cover various themes: from the classic love story to venturing into the dark and malevolent realm of voodoo music. Close to psychobilly and not so far from pop, this sound has a captivating atmosphere and is well-crafted, managing to collect tracks that easily stick in mind like summer hits.
Among the standout tracks, I could point out the opener "All American Girl," "Disposable Boy" ("I'm disposable boy, I'm disposable heart"), "Shitty Day," or the rocking "Won't Get Me Out Of Your Mind" and "Kill Again."
In conclusion, I can say that this listen is pleasant and smooth, perfect for both an adventurous journey and a relaxing Sunday in the armchair. Danceable rhythms and rock 'n' roll guitar riffs are great for spending an hour in the company of music.
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