Low Cut Connie
Livin In The USA
*** out of *****
The South Philadelphia based Low Cut Connie set out to make a protest/party album with their newest release the Livin In The USA. The lo-fi, recorded live-in-studio feel, gives the album an immediacy that helps speak to turbulent times.
Main man Adam Weiner has been known for crafting upbeat good time garage rock and roll while performing with intensity, however, the current state of the world forced him to address bigger topics on his newest release. This mix doesn't always jive, but it is a valiant effort.
When dealing with the overtly political front on efforts like the title tune, and the slower, heavier dragging, "Human Condition" things never fully take off or have much interesting to say. His screed against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "Let Me Speak To Bobby" voices clear frustration, but remains one note and a bit stifled.
When Weiner and company just let it all hang out in party fashion much better results flow out. "Get Down" is a swaggering bluesy, loose stroll that takes a cue from Lynyrd Skynyrd and lives up to its title with gorgeous backing vocals. There is a wild free for all feeling to the pumping piano of "Oh Yeah" while the yelps and hot slapping drums propel "Can't Be Wrong", a hip shaking love song that is an album highlight with ripping guitar lines and dynamite saxophone.
The tracks which combine Low Cut Connie's two driving forces the best are the retro rock slamming "Not My Problem" which seems to address drug dealing in Weiner's area of Philadelphia and the album closing "Palpitations" which delivers an overarching voice to the nervous state of current political affairs.
In press release for the album Weiner stated directly that this was protest music because:
"I am disgusted to see our country descend into an authoritarian hell, a moral vacuum, and a place where art does not lead the cultural conversation."
He reiterated however that it was a party album as well:
"because I refuse to let these motherf*ckers steal our art and steal our joy."
With Livin In The USA, Lot Cut Connie fights the good fight, here's hoping Adam Weiner keeps banging the keys and stomping his feet, fighting for what he believes in.
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