Too Much

“Patent Leather” b/w “Dyslexia”

scum stats: I don’t think Merge plays that game

Bought this blind from Grimey’s. A new 7-inch single that I’ve not previously heard of, with a name that I am an ardent fan of? That’s about the most-welcome surprise I’ve had in that building since Jack White found a Charley Patton 78 in their dollar bin.

The group consists of Ian Svenonius & Rich Morel. I was in a band for two weeks with Svenonius, his ability to genre hop and always remain interesting (nigh three decades into his career) is a trait not easily matched. 2nd wave DC hardcore (Nation of Ulysses), frontline gospel ye-ye (Make-Up), P-Funk indebted explorations (Weird War/Scene Creamers), Rev/Vega aping weirdness (Escape-ism)…his consistency is damn near frightening.

Never heard of Morel before, but Discogs tells me "He has done remixes for artists such as Tina Turner, Tori Amos, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Yoko Ono, Depeche Mode and The Pet Shop Boys.” Works for me.

“Patent Leather” SMOKES like a late era Detroit disco single, long-forgotten at the bottom of a box in your basement. Smooth and funky. Timeless. I don’t know if the way a “DJ” exists in my mind still actually exists in the real world today or if they’re all mutli-millionaire, mask-wearing freaks with private jets, BUT…this seems it would be primed for a DJ who just plays vinyl for regular non-festival ticket-buying folks to dance to. But that’s probably gone the way of buggy whip manufacturers, milk men and nickel-carving hobos.

Flip “Dyslexia” isn’t as great as the a-side, but not sure if anything could hold up. The song certainly doesn’t have anything wrong with it…just being paired with such a 10/10 makes it a bit pale in comparison.

Me hopes they do more. The world can use it. Bonus points for the strategically placed hype-sticker, the cover art a clear indicator of the vibe contained within these grooves. Grab this single if you know what’s good for ya.