thePULSEHuck’s New CD is Conquering Everywhere
December 2005 –
Local stars Huck – like the tongue-in-cheek title of their new album, Never Been Nowhere, suggests – have been everywhere. Touring the country for the last ten years, they have played in Boston, San Francisco, New York, DC, Canada, and everywhere in between. Musically, they have flirted with country, rock, alternative and have damn near mastered pop. And with this new album, they’ve conquered even more territory.
If you know Huck, you know they live to play live. That’s a large part of their identity and something that will never change. Paul Dagnello, the band’s bassist, strongly reaffirmed that bands dedication to its roots: “We’re a gritty, pop trio that’s built to be on the stage, and that’s what we always want to be known as.”
But that in no way means Huck won’t try new things. In fact, band intentionally stepped outside of its usual routine for this album. Typically, songs would be honed live, performed before crowds, then tweaked for the next show until it was studio time. This time ‘round, most of the songs had never bounced off the walls of a venue or been heard by a fan before being burned as a track on “Never Been Nowhere.” As Paul said, “For us it was different, it was just something we wanted to try.”
Huck didn’t just try. They kicked ass. So if you’ve never heard Huck before, now’s a great time to start. Scott the lead singer knows it, too. “It’s almost a cliché to say it, but our new album is definitely our best stuff to date.” Not to discount their catalog of catchy songs (that are absolutely worth a listen if you have not heard them yet), but this album takes a strong step forward. That’s saying a lot. Collaborating with Dave Lowery (remember “Cracker” and that song “Low?” Yeah, that guy.) Huck reached outside the box and pulled together an all around great album.
As soon as the first notes blast out of the sound system, there’s no escape. Huck employs “the hook” so well it’s difficult to turn off the hour long CD. “Postcard” – the opening song – just rips. Then, like the band, the music takes off and goes pretty much everywhere. The songs were inspired by everything from personal relationships to network television. “Knew this all along” laments that “…all the best lines have been written” and “…all the best songs have been sung” in such an upbeat and memorable way it’s difficult to get out of your head. On “Figure 8,” addictive keyboard riffs pay fitting respect to the late Elliot Smith (for anyone that’s ever listened to XO – this song strikes an immediate chord). “Dream,” a touchingly sincere and unpolished ballad about the passing of a loved one, shines. “Perfume” explores the emotions of an affair with crisp Police-styled riffs in the background. And while a lot of this CD delves into deep issues and tangles with difficult feeling, “I wanna solve a crime” offers an entertaining respite with CSI-inspired lyrics and a foot-tapping chord progression. The entire hour is filled with different emotions, tempos, and styles that will keep you captive.
Catch Huck playing these tunes and more live on December 10th at the Lucky Dog and New Year’s Eve at Ralph’s.
