Record

It’s not often you get a record as consistently clever, catchy and twisted as Crazyhearse’s Harvest Season. It’s fun, spooky and enjoyable — creepy-crawly in a good way. Plus, they have a banjo, and sometimes the gruff singing makes them sound Russian. Cliff Wanner at Big Red Dog Studio deserves a few pats on the back for a job well done, especially mixing the three lead vocals. One singer sounds like a tired Gram Parsons rocking the Cosmic American Gothicana. I’ll bet they are fans of both Johnny Cash and Southern Culture on the Skids. And ‘Crazyhearse’ — what a name! The songs are a little fucked-up — like graveyard shanties, rural and rowdy. I dig the pig squeals in “Tractor Trailer Disaster” — they sound like a cross between The Beatles’ “Piggies” and the end of “Detroit Rock City.” “Evil Toys,” “Gnomes,” “Undead Girlfriend” and “Revenge” are all charmers as well. “Worcester Sauce,” with its “It’s Awesome!/It’s terrible!” lyrics, may be my second favorite tune. But “Muscle Car” is definitely the fave, and I’ll go toe-to-toe with anyone who disagrees. I’ve played it for every person who’s come into my house in the last three days and they all liked it. Hey, Crazyhearse, you have a new fan!

COLIN CLARY