album of the week: 3.2

Giant Drag

Swan Song

Roar Scratch (2010)

why you'll love it - Cynical and spiteful like rock should be

why you'll hate it - The better half of the EP is old material

It's been way too long since we've heard anything new from Giant Drag, which is a shame considering how well the debut album, Hearts And Unicorns (2005), stands up today. A couple things have changed in the last few years. Drummer, and 50% of the band, Micah, has left, or delegated himself to only studio contributions. The other half, Annie Hardy, has changed her hair... Other than that, thankfully all the distorted grime and lyrical snark that has made Giant Drag memorable, remains the same today.

Annie has spent the last few years delaying this 4 song EP (two of which being new recordings of older rare songs) citing illness and lack of funding. Although, the way she flippantly addresses the public, I have no idea what to believe. One day. I'll see her begging for donations on myspace so she can eat, and the next she's doing a video interview with two hired assistants present.

Whether it be one big joke or not (or most likely, both), I wouldn't have it any other way; because that is the same exact attitude that makes Giant Drag songs so interesting. It's great lo-fi, cynical rock. As said before, the first half of the EP are songs previously found on the Kevin is Gay single. It is old stuff, but to be fair, they were hard to find tunes in the first place, and these recordings are much better. Also, the whole thing was worth it to get the disgusting/freaky music video for "Stuff To Live For".

The second half of the album are songs that feel like b-sides. Good songs, but not so amazing. One has great lyrics, the other has killer guitar, but neither have both. Quite frankly, the most exciting thing about this release is the proof that Giant Drag is still kicking after half a decade of silence.