HEAVY CREAM + KING TUFF

Here are two reviews for Good News, Bad News mag up in Cleveland, OH from a while back. Figured I'd post them even though both records came out the 1st half of 2012.
My band has played with Heavy Cream a few times - they are really energetic live. King Tuff's underground following is one deserving of the attention he's received over the years. Very honestly though I have barely listened to his latest record past reviewing it but was really happy I was assigned to listen to the newest Heavy Cream which is unstoppably radddd. Deadlines don't help when trying to do something new (like write a record review - haven't really done that before) so yeah!!

HEAVY CREAM ‘Super Treatment’ LP, Infinity Cat Records


It’s unfortunate that Heavy Cream is often tagged the Jeff the Brotherhood “girlfriend” band. Yes, Heavy Cream’s singer Jessica and Brotherhood’s drummer Jamin are super cool/cute rock’n’roll partners in crime that sometimes tour together and are both on Infinity Cat (a label started by the bros). And they have similarities:  both Nashville acts touch on the “heavy” aspect of ‘70s rock, probably nerding out about their record collections together. Heavy Cream provides a female-centric version of ‘70s rock interpretation. Solitary and strong, Jessica’s voice is similar to Karen O’s but the music steers towards truly retro. Judging by their strong live performances and her enthusiastic yowls, these girls (plus bassist Daniel) are not to be fucked with. The group worked with Ty Segall on this full length, someone who wasn’t about to pitfall their driving danger anthems into overglossy bullshit production. Those familiar with his array of past recordings can definitely hear both the heaviness and grit Ty is known for brought out in this recording, elements that Heavy Cream cannot thrive without. The fuzzed out punchy wonderfulness keeps Heavy Cream in the throes of their own beloved antiquity. “John Johnny” reminds me a bit of Gary Glitter though the record is less sparkly and more in tune with the badassery of the gritty LA glam era with obvious comparisons to The Runaways (their guitarist even looks like teen queen Lita Ford) and Suzi Quatro. Regardless, they are a garage band through and through, “TV Preacher” being a sassy favorite with its dark undertones amidst adventuresome girl gang howls. The longest song, “The Jam” (below), taps out at 3:04 making this entire record on energy overdrive. Heavy Cream might as well be a B-movie of babes with switchblades and high-waisted jeans, boys in the backseat and ice cream cones, a high school teen rebel dream you can’t help but wish were your best friends.



KING TUFF ‘King Tuff’ LP, Subpop Records




King Tuff’s first full release was in 2008. How many mixed tapes was “Sun Medallion” on? Probably a shit ton. But now some time has passed and things have changed. After Subpop picked up King Tuff’s project, Happy Birthday, it was about time he also did his own release for the legendary label. This record makes you wonder if there is any difference between King Tuff and Happy Birthday though; it sounds A LOT like Happy Birthday and for this I’m glad. I saw Happy Birthday open up for Vivian Girls when I was alone and stoned, usually hard for me to do in public but they were so awesome I just fell in and fell in love. I’ve been waiting for Round 2 ever since. This self titled 2nd record (Subpop’s first King Tuff) is full of feel good guitar licks and hand claps that are inherently Americana (though in the age of indie rock, all our love for powerpop and garage is gonna sound a bit different). Take sweet Milk’n’Cookies and a few shocks of goofy prog rock and mix it with a grunge pop sensibility - you’ve got gold. “Alone and Stoned” is adorably catchy (and maybe means I’m on the same wave length from some time ago?). However, there are some changes. “Stupid Superstar” sounds just like a Happy Birthday song easily but quieter. This record is more polished than I’ve ever heard him be before, a record that will reach a larger audience and be loved by many surely (uh hm, the Best Coast train). I’ll admit disappointment in some of the experimentation with the softer side, such as the more acoustic “Swamp of Love” and the even softer “Evergreen”, but half this record is packed with jams that are so well rounded and infectious I could never turn it away. There’s enough pop perfection to keep old fans cool with it and also attract new listeners, making this stoner kiddie pool bigger than ever before. King Tuff acts tough after all but he's bubblegum and chill through and through. A feel good record on both sides of the coin regardless of whether or not he’s being rowdy or introspective. It's so feel good it could probably be used to sell something. I still love you anyway, dude.




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