They say that anything worth doing is worth doing right. If you want it done right then you have to do it yourself and that takes time. With that being said, The Heavy Co. has wrapped up production on their first full length record, Midwest Electric. It’s story is close to epic if you consider that we are talking about a record that is a result of 4 hazy years of tears, writing, woodshedding, playing live, recording and producing the whole damn production in-house to yield 37 or so smoke and incense filled minutes of psychedelic guitar rock haze that solidly stretches the limits of the genre that has been come to be affectionately (or not so affectionately, depending on who you talk to) known as “stoner rock”.
Let’s get a few things straight. This record was never meant to be perfect. The tempos swell and recede, the vocals aren’t necessarily in key all of the time, and you’re going to hear some things buzz, but I can assure you...it sounds exactly how it was supposed to. Originally Midwest Electric was intended to be recorded on an 8 track tape machine, but Murphy’s Law prevails and the damn thing broke right in time for tracking. THC went ahead and took advantage of their digital recording capabilities to the fullest, but underneath the layers of extra tracks is the sound of three guys getting down in a room and jamming like they only got one take at the thing. The other thing is while there is no doubt, like their other “stoner” peers, that a huge part of THC’s sound is a throwback to the classic rock of the late 60’s and early 70’s, it’s a modern rock sound. The idea that their music is “modern” sets THC apart from most “stoner rock” bands. It’s cool if a band relies on the amplifier theatrics of the 70’s (who doesn’t love a loud riff through a wall of amps), but as the guys say, “don’t stop now, there’s no time to cry”. Jimi Hendrix was looking for a “new kind of blues” and The Heavy Co. are giving it their best shot.
Midwest Electric isn’t a stereotypical “stoner rock” record. It could have just as easily have been called “Midwest Eclectic”. First off, there is a country twinge to the whole thing, especially in the subtle twangy drawl that creeps into the vocal delivery. Second, no two songs on the record really sound alike. Midwest Electric moves from a driving hard rock number like The Humboldt County Waltz to the lonesome guitar wail and lament of Neil Young to the spacey drone of Sailing Towards The Setting Sun and the bluesy fuzzed out doom of One Big Drag . The album’s seven songs are unique to themselves but never out of place with each other. THC has meticulously crafted a record that embodies the feelings of isolation, paranoia, and general drudgery of existing in between the rows of corn and how it contrasts with the hopes and dreams that come from the transcendental experiences of those bored “different” souls that reside there inevitably get around to having. That or THC just wanted to write some songs so they could groove out and play some guitar solos. Whatever works for you. Please tune in...
Midwest Electric is available for order on-line in Europe and The U.S. and digital download via Bandcamp on their in-house label, DPR Records.
For more information visit www.theheavycompany.net
Streaming at: theheavycompany.bandcamp.com
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