One of my favorite things in music is when bands I like do all-covers releases. To me, going into the studio and laying down a bunch of covers sounds like a super-fun thing to do. And it's a great way to honor important influences or simply celebrate songs you love. Having just become hip to The Hellflowers this year after the release of the band's Deluxe compilation on Rum Bar Records, I had the pleasure of discovering a wealth of new-to-me material all at once. But I must admit I was already craving more, and so the band's new EP Teenage Radio (out on Rum Bar and Missing Fink Records) really hits the spot. The selection of songs here makes it pretty clear why I felt an immediate connection to this band. Any band that covers The Clash, Cock Sparrer, and Ramones on the same record is guaranteed to be up my alley. Remember when you first got into punk rock and couldn't get enough of those bands' records? And of course, decades later, nothing has changed. That, my friends, is what we call timeless music. I love the choice of "Spanish Bombs," one of The Clash's finest pop songs. "Riot Squad" is a great opener for the EP, and "Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)" can be the first Christmas track you listen to in 2025. Elsewhere, the Zero Boys' "Civilization's Dying" is perhaps the definitive example of what hardcore was when it still sounded like rock 'n' roll. Elastica's "Stutter" takes me back to the heyday of the new wave of new wave. "Slippin' And Slidin'" honors the true king of rock 'n' roll, Mr. Little Richard.
These are wonderful, inspired versions of truly classic songs. Christina, Matt, and company give these songs that distinct Hellflowers touch, but they don't really mess around trying to perfect what's already perfect. You know and love these songs, and so do The Hellflowers. Teenage Radio might bring to mind your own teenage radio moments. For me, this is like re-living the awesome mixed tapes of my 20s. If you're already a Hellflowers fan, you'll love this EP. And if you're just now meeting this band, go check out Deluxe as soon as possible!
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/teenage-radio
https://www.missingfink.com/
https://thehellflowers.bandcamp.com/music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/788GHLc01twMuQ56Cyied2
https://www.thehellflowers.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thehellflowersband/
https://www.facebook.com/thehellflowers/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/rumbarrecords/
https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/teenage-radio
https://www.missingfink.com/
https://thehellflowers.bandcamp.com/music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/788GHLc01twMuQ56Cyied2
https://www.thehellflowers.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thehellflowersband/
https://www.facebook.com/thehellflowers/
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/rumbarrecords/
No comments:
Post a Comment