Philadelphia songwriter and Modern Baseball co-leader Jake Ewald is back with a twangy, timeless new album packed with nostalgic lyrics and intricate storytelling.
As an emo kid at heart, Slaughter Beach, Dog's new album Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling checks a lot of boxes for me. First of all, the band was born from the ashes of Modern Baseball, who ruled the northeast emo scene for a few years in the early-to-mid 2010's. Second of all, the lyrics are fully-realized short stories about emerging from said emo scene into adulthood — the sketchy parties, weird roommates, van break-ins, old My Chemical Romance t-shirts, etc. And finally, it's catch as hell. There are great harmonies, twangy slide guitar, and bass lines that will have you doing your best I Love You, Man impression.
Best Time to Listen
Throw it on as the weather gets crisp and the leaves start to change, and reminisce about all of those Friday nights you spent at $5 shows at the local VFW. This is much better musicianship and more mature songwriting than anything you would have heard at one of those shows, but it will definitely make you nostalgic for those magical fall evenings when you drove all over town in your shitty blue Saturn (okay... maybe that's a bit too specific).
Essential Tracks
My Sister in Jesus Christ
Summer Windows
Strange Weather
Float Away
Engine
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