7inch Sunday is a segment devoted entirely to 7” vinyl and the all-encompassing experience surrounding it. Although most publications cover major releases, the vinyl single is often overlooked and given nothing more than a half-hearted nod of acknowledgement. This weekly feature is a hub for 7” reviews, exploring the B-sides and rarities of artists that may often go unnoticed.
Each Sunday I will review 7” vinyl from artists who venture this extra mile to hold their singles high above the sea of digital releases. I hope to embody the spirit of vinyl while sharing some fantastic music with you, the reader. Let’s get started.
Whenever Third Mad Records announces a new project, the end result is often as unpredictable as the musicians involved. While some releases, such as Carl Sagan’s “A Glorious Dawn” and Neil Hamburger’s Live at Third Man, have flipped innovation on its head, others, such as Insane Clown Posse’s “Leck mich im Arsch,” leave fans scratching their heads. Whether entertaining or challenging us, one thing is certain: never ignore a Third Man Release.
The most recent development in the world of TMR comes in the form of a 23 year old New Zealander who goes by the name Willy Moon. With a voice reminiscent of mid-1940s crooners and the suits to back it up, Moon puts a fresh spin on one of the most lovable eras of music. His most recent release, Railroad Track, is another fantastic release from the TMR vault and one that hopefully preludes more material.
Blending chain gang backing vocals with a pleasant soul middle ground, Moon places “Railroad Track” against sonic imagery of barren landscapes. The stark contrast of dismal instrumentation versus optimistic themes creates a work post-apocalyptic in mood with a dose of toe-tapping catchiness. Each bar holds an energy unique from the previous, constantly building until the last notes.
Dragging percussion, shaky guitar and macabre subject matter form “Bang Bang” into a Southwestern murder ballad to be reckoned with. However, if there’s one thing to take away from the track, make sure to stick around for the breakdown around the halfway point. Briefly turning into the soundtrack for a spaghetti western for roughly twenty seconds, Moon transports us as quickly as he brings us back to wrap up the song.
While we’ll look to this New Zealander for an upcoming full-length (or a contribution on Rome II), for now we are left with a 7” that shows serious promise.
Check back next week for a look at Lecherous Gaze’s Bagagazo.
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