Holly Golightly And The Brokeoffs – Dirt Don’t Hurt
Established in 1998, Damaged Goods focuses its releases on Punk and New Wave records. It is slightly irregular, in today’s modern music climate, to expect an indpendant label responsible for releasing records by the likes of Asian Dub Foundation, Manic Street Preachers and The Buzzcocks were to release a bluesy country record like this. However, do not let that put you off at all. This is a terrier of a record, with a persistent rhythmic stomp and Americana stylised songs that you wouldn’t expect from the former member of an all girl British Garage group Thee Headcoatees.
The album flows well, and although there is a danger of the tracks blending into one another, a few listens will make it clear that this is a competent and concise record.
This is Holly Golightly and the Brokeoffs second offering, a band which literally consists of Holly Golightly and her fellow compatriot Lawyer Dave. For those new to this pair, they share vocals, instruments and the dynamic here is fairly neat. Tracks such as single ‘My 45’ and ‘I Wanna Hug Ya, Kiss Ya, Squeeze Ya’ (a cover of a Honky Tonk blues track) demonstrate a respectable depth, as well as a couple of traditional tracks (‘Boat’s up the River’ and ‘Cluck Old Hen’).
Although this is not Radio 1 playlist music, it is a refreshing listen and is fairly enjoyable. It is music that brings imagery of baked sandy ground in Southern US states, where life is simple and playing a banjo is an acceptable profession. There is plenty here for the reflexive, open minded music fan to latch onto and to find interest in, but is clearly not for the masses to purchase. Recommended: ‘Boat’s Up the River’ and ‘My 45.’
By Viraj Mohindra
