Party Ends

   I only know about Port Arthur Texas because of UGK and La Snacks. Both important acts, formed in Port Arthur who relocated and now do a lot for the new cities lucky enough to be called their homes- Houston and Austin respectively. The new La Snacks Album Brown, Orange, Black, Gray is engaging and addictive. The lyrics teeter on nursery rhyme fundamentals and then go into the lyrical realm that I'm perhaps a sucker for most– witty pop culture and irony. The balance of both is masterful.

   Musically the group draws on another Austin act, Single Frame. SF front-man and artist extraordinaire Adreon Henry clearly validates the up-and-coming La Snacks by designing the cover art for the Cash Cow Records release.

   One of several standout tracks on the Album is Emo Kind of Love which contains the line that I can’t get out of my head and can’t stop telling friends and strangers alike about: “you can’t always get/ what you want/ but you can always buy new cds!” As much as the cultural significance of Dashboard Confessional playing the ending credits song for Spiderman 2 deserves to be sent up by rock music- La Snacks understands that there are bigger foreign policy issues that rock music is obliged to address. Album opener Are We in Danger is angular and intense in its message about America and global relations. Of course, there is the ever-present La Snacks cleverness: while addressing concern of third-world starvation; the song complains of getting a “tummy ache” from popping too many pills. This is the track that could best be shouted along with live, soaking in sweat. I have yet to take in the band at a live performance, but I am looking forward to their May 18^th show with Transmography  at the Parlor in Austin. Hmmm… pizza, beer and La Snacks… Buy the Hunter S Thompson and J-Lo fueled album here: all proceeds go to sweatpants and booze. 

MP3: La Snacks- Are We in Danger

MP3: La Snacks- Emo Kind of Love