Was Dead…an appropriate name for an album for an artist who has risen, and risen quickly.  King Tuff is Kyle Thomas of Brattleborrow, Vermont.  While there is lots of news about Kyle Thomas, the release of Happy Birthday’s wonderful debut album on Sub Pop among other things, I want to focus this effort on King Tuff.

On Christmas day last year Burger Records sent out an email saying if you contacted them before midnight with you name, address, and the tape you wanted they would send it to you as a gift.   I was one of the lucky ones to take advantage of this amazing opportunity, and on New Years Eve there was a shiney King Tuff tape flying through my mail slot.

Honestly Burger set me on a tape rampage, and mainly because of how awesome King Tuff’s Was Dead is.

Was Dead draws on musically influence from classic rock, psychedelica, garage pop, and ever so slightly, but undeniably there, punk rock (for those of you familiar with it I totally get a slight Nobunny vibe). ”Sun Medallion” is the obvious single, and with good reason.  I don’t think there is a person out there that could listen to this song and by the end of it not be singing or humming along.  The light strumming on the guitar leads into psychedelica with a rock n’ roll sensibility, solos that aren’t jammy but let the guitars ring out and stay in your ears, and just a overall groove that seems perfect for that breezy sunny summer afternoon.  This track recently made it on a couple mixes that I sent out to friends, and fit in perfectly.  If this was released in 2010 it would be in the running for best songs of the year, but I found out about the record two years late.

[mp3] King Tuff- “Sun Medallion”

“Freak When I’m Dead” comes toward the end of the album, and is an anthem of individuality.  And while musically it’s right in tune with the rest of the album the harmonica solo really brings it to another level for me.

[mp3] King Tuff- “Freak When I’m Dead”

If you enjoy these tracks pick up the whole album…I mean, I agree with Burger Records on this…every track is a hit, and it will get you ready for the amazing summer that is ahead of us.  What more can you want than rock n’ roll about girls, cars, pinball, and partying?  For me…not much.

Buy King Tuff Was Dead on Vinyl from Colonial Records here.

Buy King Tuff Was Dead on Tape from Burger Records here.

Plus King Tuff is into eating pizza all night and playing pinball…sounds like someone I would like to be friends with…Kyle if you are ever in New York, and want to play pinball hit me up.