Angus Crowne and the Family Jewels begin their new album Shag Rug with Little Green Rug. There is a serious nod to surf rock that includes hints of the Dead Kennedys and The Clash; Angus Crowne are able to have a hit coming out of the starting blocks. Get Me A Beer adds a bit of lounge and Tiny Tim into the mix; there is a frenetic sound, a bubbliness that will stick with listeners long after Shag Rug ceases to play. Middle Age Crawl begins with a slower tempo. The narrative quality of Middle Age Crawl will have listeners following each word; a bit of Devo can be heard here. The guitar / organ dynamic that is present immediately after the chorus is a high spot on Shag Rug.
Beyond The See brings a bit of the island / surf sound of the 1960s into the present day. Crowne’s vocals add considerably to the overall harmony of the track; when the guitar licks kick back in, a hip vibe immediately permeates the room. Punk Rock Aftershock kicks things back into high gear. Where a great many acts will put their weaker tracks towards the end of their albums, Angus Crowne and the Family Jewels kick things into a high gear with this penultimate track. Fans are given a remix of Beyond The See as the disc’s final track; there is a funky, disco-like groove that will be something that fans of Frank Zappa can appreciate. There are a number of distinct genres and styles that come into prominence during Shag Rug, but Angus Crowne and the Family Jewels are able to come forth and corral them into a comprehensive release.
Top Tracks: Get Me A Beer, Middle Age Crawl, Punk Rock Aftershock
Rating: 8.7/10
Angus Crowne and the Family Jewels – Shag Rug / 2017 Self / 11 Tracks / http://www.anguscrowne.com/ / https://www.facebook.com/Angus-Crowne-1728534427418847/
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
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