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Regas-McDonald — Hall of Fame Cities
(Bandcamp Voltage Control Records, 2021, DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2022-02-10

Hall of Fame Cities Cover art

Cousins Sam Regas and Matt McDonald released their sophomore album, Hall of Fame Cities, on November 10, 2021. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, 40 miles North of Devo’s birthplace Akron, Regas-McDonald have produced something quite different and unclassifiable, though avant pop and avant prog come close. The six songs on this album are quite varied. The album opener, “For the Vain and Lepered,” sways back and forth between delicate chime piano, carnival / steam punk, and music hall entertainment, with the vocalist beginning to sound a bit like John Lennon. Track 2 is “Impressions I - The Mother,” two and a half minutes of rapid experimental prog that latches on to your brain. Then they present “Bridge and Canasta,” with its orchestral washes and a lovely piano melody that waltzes through late night streets. Who would have come up with the idea of writing a song about card games other than poker? Next is “Terribly American,” a minimal, experimental, and unclassifiable song that is followed by “Impressions II - The Girl Who Tried to Find Her Northern Lights.” I quite like this song title.  Over its fourteen minutes, Regas and McDonald experiment with ambiance, simple repeated riffs, lo-fi piano, cheesy organ, motorik beats, obscure samples and sound bites (“Better living through chemistry”), and cavernous music hall vibes that overall is strangely melodic and intriguing. Closing out the album is “Windcandy Muse,” an acoustic guitar song with a Spanish and Gypsy flamenco vibe that develops into 70s prog rock in about three minutes. Quite an interesting album that took me completely by surprise. To catch a glimpse into their outré world, watch their YouTube video for "Bridge and Canasta."

Filed under: New releases, 2021 releases

Related artist(s): Regas-McDonald

More info
http://voltagecontrolrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hall-of-fame-cities

 

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