PoppySnakes of New Jersey, 2019
Sister Raygun Records
Snakes of New Jersey is the 1990's record that you never knew would come out twenty years later but Poppy comes roaring back with this fresh slab of goodness. The E.P. contains 6 songs of everything that was great about alternative rock in the 1990's.
This record feels like going home again it's got elements of bands like Superchunk and That Dog but takes it's own path to rock n' roll greatness. I'm a sucker for female fronted rock bands and as soon as I heard vocalist/guitarist Kate Campbell's powerful voice I immediately fell in love with it and this record.
Last 3 Dollars starts out as a slow radio friendly type of song but it's got this feeling that it is building up to something more, something a little more dangerous . . . and then it happens about half way through the track the pace of the band increases, getting heavier and the vocals become these raspy screams of "Don't you know it's illegal" over and over with an intensity that will make you scream along with it.
The next song is Moomoo & Goadie and upbeat fast paced track. This one has that fist pumping anthem feel to it that is equal parts punk rock and Bruce Springsteen. If you aren't chanting "What do you think it feels like this time?" after listening to this one you need to reevaluate your rock n' roll fandom. This song simply rocks.
Hand In The Lions Mouth follows and for some reason it reminds me a little bit like something that could have appeared on the self-titled debut album of a band called Energy Orchard .(check your 1990's stash for that one) . . an amazing album in it's own right. This song is nothing but good, it has a heavy bass and drum feel to it without being too hard big guitars and raspy vocals. Soooooo good I tell you . . . so good.
No wait a second this next track is changing everything. Made A Memory starts off sounding like this bluesy distorted guitar driven track with slow drum beats and bass that slowly rumbles like we are in a smokey bar waiting for the storm to come . . . and it does, again the voice of Kate Campbell comes alive it's powerful and sexy and full of passion when this song reaches it's chorus. This is the kind of song that'll make someone a rock star if they aren't careful.
In The Clouds is another rocking tune that you'll want to sing along to. This one bleeds 1990's movie soundtrack and that should be taken as a complement. It's got that sing-along quality and I can imagine the opening credits of a movie that everyone will be looking for the next day.
Lastly we have Marga. The band takes a much heavier sound on this one with feedback and distortion droning and fighting their way along. It's dark and brooding for the first half of the song and then becomes lighter and the vocals become lighter and beautiful and uplifting as the record finishes.
This is something I didn't know I needed, and the way it found it's way to me is pure luck (blame the Professor Fuzz 63) but I am so glad it made it's way into my life. This is full of memories of the 1990's but stands on it's own as a viable record in the here and now. Get this album in your life.
Snakes of New Jersey is available on Bandcamp as a Digital Download, CD, or Vinyl Record.
-Kevin P. Johnson
All content Copyright ©2020 Kevin P. Johnson, Album art Copyright ©2019 Sister Raygun Records
