Above: Hartle Road at Yellow Hammer Creative, Birmingham, Alabama.
The sound of one finger snapping - - - total zen, totally Hartle Road on a bender. Call it Southern No Wave. Call it Cagy Kraut Rock. The new Hartle Road album Maxx II [PRNL049/KLP288] is an audio text tracing real world sonic battles for maximum delight. A pleasurable listening experience.
Hartle Road are the cool Columbus, Mississippi combo who express deep emotion with loud guitar and synth emanations. They recorded Maxx II at their own Pompeii Studios. The sound is well balanced but slightly confusing, like a thousand angels scrambling eggs on the head of a pin. Maxx II is the perfect balance between a jet engine and your new house party frock. It's the product of one million house shows, warehouse parties, art openings and juke joint fêtes across the Southeast. Hartle Road done it. Listen to Maxx II and learn you can both dance and chew gum at the same time.
Hartle Road, Maxx II hits record stores world-wide Friday, September 29; it is already shipping from The K Mail Order Dept.
The most recent Hartle Road single is "ICU," a real shuffle and a half. One may view the "ICU" video for a more immersive experience.
This Saturday (Sept. 30) two members of Hartle Road, Toby and Max, play choice selections from Maxx II [PRNL049/KLP288] at Friendly City Books in downtown Columbus, Mississippi. The full band plays an album release show at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, half a block south at the corner of Fifth and Main St., October 8.
Above: Hartle Road play the Goner Festival after-show tomorrow night in Memphis, TN.