The Deadly Snakes
“Porcella, or A Bird in the Hand is Worthless”
In the Red Records

“Exile-era Stones”

Eye-catchin’ description, ain’t it? I mean, if it can get an old curmudgeon like BTD excited, then it has to have some kinda power. And I’m not the first person to say the Deadly Snakes sound(ed) something like this, so maybe you know what I’m talking about. It’s what I was expecting, but didn’t get. See, I’ve only got their first album, Love Undone, and that’s got heaps of Exile. Shame on me for not having the next two, but I’m going to change that quick. This new-ish album hasn’t left my turntable in weeks.

I bought the 2xLP of Porcella, or A Bird in the Hand is Worthless months ago, but I’ve moved a few times and haven’t had much time to sit with my record player. The LP advertised seven extra songs, so that was the obvious purchase. On top of that, four of the seven bonus songs (B1-4) are the best on the album. I don’t know why they would have been left off the major CD release, but it’s a welcome reward for the vinyl hound. Side C kinda drags for me a little (on account of how much I dig side B) but a tune like “She’s Going Home with Him” is the kind of song that makes you go, “This is, like, the GREATEST ALBUM EVER!” and your friends, who aren’t as insightful as yourself will get stuck on the length (20 songs!) or maybe the longer tunes. At least the CD version has “So Young and So Cruel” and “Oh Lord, My Heart” (man, dig that frantic drum beat!)

You can tell it’s a real labor of love for the band, though. The guitar plays more of a support role than I expected; horns and organ really drive the songs. The DS are much more experimental this time ‘round, using lots of instruments I don’t know (or care to know) the names of. The liner notes are wistful and the sequencing (different on the CD and LP) is aces. On a sad note, I just found out they broke up. Shame…

Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks