Death Of The Hoochie Koo
Buena Vista, 2023
8/10
Listen to Death Of The Hoochie Koo
The New York duo of Kate Vargas and Eric McFadden, as Sgt. Splendor the pair bring plenty of power to this politically charged listen that welcomes Danny Eisenberg, Michael Urbano, Mike D and Paulo Baldi to the energetic 10 tracks.
“Heavy Be The Borrowed Crown” opens the listen with a dense bluesy appeal that showcases thumping drums and Mike D’s throbbing bass amid Vargas’ distinct pipes, and the title track follows with Eisenberg’s playful keys complementing McFadden’s gritty voice.
Halfway through, the shuffling pace of “It’s Alright (For Now)” might get you on the dance floor with its infectious energy and soaring vocal harmonies, while “Chelsea Hotel No. 2” finds an intimate place to reside, where Vargas’ poetic singing builds into an emotive mood.
Close to the end, “May I Be The Light” recruits plenty of grooves to the retro-rock flavor, and “Blue & Her Strawberry Balloon” exits with a psychedelic haze of mystery and warmth.
The majority of the tracks were penned in the studio, and the addressing of injustice is certainly important during these tumultuous times. The genre mashing is exceptional, too, where songwriting collaboration on 2 tracks from Vincent Gates and Claire Kelly helps accent the funk, rock, soul, psyche and country nods.
Travels well with: Object Heavy- Love & Gravity; True Loves- Sunday Afternoon