All The World’s A Dressing Room: Live In L.A. 08.24.2018
Saustex, 2019
9/10
Listen to All The World’s A Dressing Room: Live In L.A. 08.24.2018
The Hickoids have done many things in their lengthy and often turbulent career, but until now, a live record wasn’t one of them. And in typical fashion from the Texas cow punks, it’s a double album, as they certainly have never adhered to any sort of preconceived ideas of how music should be made, packaged and presented.
“Brand New Way” starts the bristling listen with crashing percussion, frantic keys and an overall rowdy setting of fun and sloppy garage rock, and this continues to the propulsive and melodic “Burnin’ Luv”, and the driving pace and controlled chaos of “Barnyard Medley”, which even incorporates the Hee Haw theme song.
Back half highlights include the grungey, throbbing sounds of “Texas Ranger Man”, the thumping retro-rock of “Pennsylvania Mexican”, and the classic rock inspired “China”, which is one of the best tracks included. “Brontosauras” ends the listen with playful guitar acrobatics and rock’n’roll howling that remains robust and visceral, even though it’s the 14th tune in the set.
A listen with grit in spades and plenty of comical moments, too, their self-described ‘raunch & roll’ is loud, in your face, and, most importantly, a lot of fun to listen to. While I generally feel that live discs are for fans only, this true live record would work as a starting point, too.
Travels well with: Mojo Nixon- Otis; Eddie Spaghetti- The Value Of Nothing