The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City

by Beach Slang

Overview

Veteran songwriter James Alex built his band Beach Slang from teenage nostalgia and wonderstruck earnestness, wrapping heart-on-sleeve sentiments in hooks borrowed directly from the Replacements. Alex would be the first to admit an all-out obsession with the 'Mats, and he channeled their rugged, blue collar pop into his own idealistic and catchy albums. Loud guitars, racing heartbeats, and youthful excitement encapsulated the best Beach Slang moments, and third album Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City pushes those elements even further. If the nods to the Replacements weren't enough before, the ante is upped considerably with the addition of their original bassist Tommy Stinson as a new member. Stinson's authentic pedigree adds to tunes already deeply indebted to his old band, like the rowdy shuffle of "Let It Ride" or anthemic album standout "Tommy in the 80s." With a barrage of synth melodies and wistful lyrics about lively city streets on a Saturday night, "Tommy in the 80s" offers the best combination of Beach Slang's emotional signifiers and high-energy power pop production. The acoustic guitars and strings of "Nobody Say Nothing" recall the same subdued territory Alex explored as Quiet Slang, a project that found him reworking songs with stripped-down arrangements. When not working in wide-eyed pop, Alex's songwriting goes in the direction of sleazy hard rockers. Slithery tunes like "Stiff" or "Born to Raise Hell" are surrounded by airy two-chord blasts like "Kicking Over Bottles." ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	01/10/2020
Label:	Bridge 9 Records / Bridge Nine Records
UPC:	0842812118203
Rank:	77060

Tracks

1. All the Kids in LA
2. Let It Ride
3. Bam Rang Rang
4. Tommy in the 80s
5. Nobody Say Nothing
6. Nowhere Bus
7. Stiff
8. Born to Raise Hell
9. Sticky Thumbs
10. Kicking Over Bottles
11. Bar No One

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Beach Slang   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Charlie Lowe   Photography
Tommy Stinson   Engineer
Brad Wood   Mixing
Hans Dekline   Mastering
James Alex   Design,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Jay Zubricky   Engineer
John Fachet   Engineer
Beach Slang   Composer
Ian Suarez   Photography