After much, much, much delay, the New Brutarians finally have their debut LP out into the world! Out now on the illustrious Alien Snatch Records,
Hysteria is every bit the lo-fi glam-pop proto-punk rock and roll masterpiece I was hoping for from this Sunshine State duo comprised of Adam Turkel (vocals, guitar, bass, and keys) and Christina Wright (drums and vocals). It has been two and a half years since I first wrote about this band -- although it feels like much longer given what's been happening in the world over that time!
Hysteria is full of scrappy pop songs crafted under the influence of glam rock, pop art, and early punk rock. If you love Johnny Thunders, Television, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Nikki Sudden, the Only Ones, and '70s Stones, you've just found your new favorite band.
Hysteria includes some of the New Brutarians' stellar singles from the last couple years such as "A Little Hit of You," "(Rock Me) I'm A Dadaist" (easily the greatest song title of all-time), the truly marvelous "New Muse," and the COVID anthem "Living In Isolation." The half of the album I had not heard before proves to be every bit as formidable. "16 Savior" is nothing short of pop perfection. The Velvets-inspired "The Prettiest Girls (Sing the Saddest Songs)" is the first New Brutarians song to feature Christina Wright on lead vocals -- and hopefully not the last! "I Know Where Richey Edwards Lives" and "Stop! In the Name of Art" (featuring Treasure Island) are classic shots of '77 glam-punk. "Butterfly" is something we rarely hear these days: a really great old school punk rock ballad.
Recorded by Adam Turkel, Billy Summer, and Gino Gambino in the midst of the great pandemic,
Hysteria arrives triumphantly in the summer of 2022. It was recorded in dark, desperate times, and its release was delayed for over a year by bottlenecks at pressing plants. The fact that you can now hold this vinyl record in your hands seems like great cause for celebration. Together, Adam and Christina make music that affirms anew the healing power of rock and roll. Their influences, while obvious, are absorbed and interpreted with a style and personality that are uniquely theirs.
Hysteria's existence on vinyl enables it to be enjoyed the old-fashioned way: you can drop the needle on the vinyl, relax, and read the lyric sheet as you fully experience each song. If this album proves anything, it's that Adam T is not just a tremendous pop artist and righteous screamer but also one of his generation's true punk rock poets.
Hysteria is limited to 500 copies. It's available in the States from the New Brutarians'
Bandcamp and in Europe directly from
Alien Snatch. Don't miss one of the year's best LPs!
