King Tuff
King Tuff
Sub Pop [2012]
I feel silly actually sitting down to review a King Tuff record. The voice in the back of my mind just wants to write, Buy it! You’ll like it! Let’s get drunk! But if I only listened to that voice, well, I’d probably be a much happier person – so let’s attempt to view King Tuff with a critical ear, just for a minute or two. For those uninitiated, King Tuff is your typical non-stop party dude who seems to effortlessly write bizarre pop gems, plays in about a thousand bands, and has a voice that’s a mix between a young yet energetic Mickey Rourke and that singing French baby, Jordy. This is the King’s first record since 2008’s Was Dead, and the denim-jacketed masses will not be disappointed. “Bad Thing”, “Stranger”, and “Hit & Run” will rock your faces off, and the mellow smoothness of “Unusual World”, “Loser’s Wall”, and “Evergreen” seem tailor-made for toking doobies (sorry, I’m not a weed guy). “Anthem” and “Stupid Superstar” are massive, hooky tracks most reminiscent of “Eyes Music” and the outrageously catchy “Girls FM” by his other Sub Pop band, Happy Birthday. My favorite cuts here (besides the aforementioned viral sing-a-long “Bad Thing”) are “Alone & Stoned”, “Baby Just Break”, and “Swamp of Love”. There’s something accomplished about these songs, a certain degree of care woven in which makes you feel like you’re experiencing something special (which of course, you kind of are). The album was produced by Bobby Harlow of The Go (God, I haven’t thought about that band in years, but they had some hits) and thankfully they eschewed typical low-fi garage standards, instead opting for a crisp, quality sound more conducive to the caterwauling and crooning alike. Basically, if underground pop is your thing you’ve probably already got this album in your sights, and if you’re unsure but think it might be your thing, then this is a great place to start. NOW let’s get drunk.
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