The Raunch Hands Bigg Topp “Feel It”
The Raunch Hands Bigg Topp
“Feel It”
Licorice Tree Records
I’ve been really lazy about writing reviews lately, but I was re-inspired when I read a review of the new Raunch Hands album in my current favorite ‘zine. Anyone who knows me knows that the Raunch Hands are my all-time favorite band; they’ve lasted longer in that slot than any other band I’ve ever called my all-time favorite. Anyhoo, back to my fave ‘zine, I don’t want to knock them or anything, but their review was TWO FUCKING SENTENCES LONG! I guess it was a good review, but goddamn, don’t they know who they’re dealing with?!?
I don’t know how to put it, there is a sound stuck in my head, whenever I think of “rock and roll,” I think of this sound and the Raunch Hands have come closest to matching it. Fuck, they’ve definitely shaped it for how long and how much I love ‘em! Here you have a bunch of average looking, no-need-for-fancy-dressing (formerly) New York City boys with more boom-swagger-boom than any overly tattooed, overly hyped flavor of the month. Why would they still be asked to play shows long after they initially called it quits? Why would they tour Spain 10 years after their last album came out? If’n you don’t get it after just one listen, well, fuck you.
I do admit, I was skeptical about a band releasing a new album 15 years after their last (of course I can’t forget 2000s live Got Hate if You Want It [Crypt Records]). I shouldn’t have been skeptical, the Raunch Hands can do no wrong in my eyes. This album gets better with each listen. You get the same balls-out raw sound you would expect, thanks to guitarist and producer extraordinaire Mike Mariconda. The subject matter is what you expect from the Raunch Hands — sex (”The Sophisticated Screw”); sleazy shit-heels (”Second Hand Man”); love (”You Don’t Care”); even a socially conscious ditty (”Beautified” — about how NYC is no longer the place it was once feared to be). And sinners beware, there’s some gospel for your asses (”Kick Me One Down”). Feel it indeed!
There are some slight differences this time ’round. Guitarist Mariconda and drummer Mike Edison take turns croonin’. Members of Mariconda’s current band the Stepbrothers (do I have to remind you again that you need 2005s Baby, It’s Over [Licorice Tree]?) comprise much of the backing band (hence the moniker “Bigg Topp”). Also, this album is on relative newcomer Licorice Tree Records instead of the Raunch Hands long time home of Crypt Records. Buy this, buy everything else if you haven’t already. Maybe they’ll play live again sometime (and I don’t need another reminder that I missed ‘em at this year’s South By Southwest).
Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks
