Junk Train by The Magic Words
..Junk Train, the debut from The Magic Words (aka Lisa Walker of Cincinnati's Wussy) captures the grounded, primitive nature of lo-fi's best. Walker began the project as a means to write new songs for Wussy, but soon realized she had an affinity for her initial tapes. The recording quality adds a sense of mystery and immediacy, much like PJ Harvey's amazing 4-Track Demos CD. On "Loaded For Bear," Walker mixes in remedial computer quirks and beats over simple acoustic strums, while she layers her smoky, distorted vocals like early Elliott Smith. The unselfconsciousness of the recording is reflected in Walker's engaging vocals, which sometimes crack and waver fittingly on emotional songs like "Mayflies" and the mangy "Watch Yer Back," which is built on a grungy, noisy guitar riff that apes the clinched-fist vengeance of the lyrics ("It's time the rites were read/This is better left for dead/I heard things you said"). Fidelicists might not be able to get past the bareness, but music fans who love good songwriting presented as intimate as a whisper in your ear will relish Junk Train's pragmatic aura. (Mike Breen, CityBeat)
Tracklist
| 1. | Jonah | 3:34 |
| 2. | Skip | 4:27 |
| 3. | Melody Ranch | 3:38 |
| 4. | Loaded for Bear | 3:12 |
| 5. | Mayflies | 3:22 |
| 6. | Millie Christine | 3:35 |
| 7. | Watch Yer Back | 2:51 |
| 8. | Hello Goodnight | 3:44 |
Credits
Recorded and mixed in 2006 by Lisa Walker. Originally released as a limited CD on Agriculture Records (100 pressed). Then later self-released (25) with homemade covers.
License
All rights reserved.
Wussy are an American five-piece fronted by songwriters Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker & backed by Mark Messerly, Joe Klug & John Erhardt. Bridging the gap between The Band & Sonic Youth, Wussy continue in the tradition of bands with multiple writers & singers. Cleaver & Walker offer radically different perspectives that blend in seamless fashion – usually blanketed inside layers of noise.