When Local Sounds Magazine first published, it was all print. No funny bits and bites. Just reliable and well crafted articles about the Madison music scene. Well, the times, they do a-change. And now you can consume Local Sounds Magazine on your browser of choice. One thing hasn’t changed though. They still pump out great articles! We may be biased but, here’s their latest article about our recent release, Hip Eponymous (Thank you Rick Tvedt!):
Five years into BingBong’s existence as a band they released their first album, Pop Restoration(read the review here). Now, six years later comes the second studio album Hip Eponymous, a thirteen-track selection of three-to-four-plus-minute pop-rock songs. The band has not been idle in the interim releasing a number of individual tracks as well as a live recording, Live at the Dojo in 2021. All of these can be found on the band’s Bandcamp page. There is video of the live album which can be viewed here.
In spots the sound on Hip Eponymous is reminiscent of Fire Town with a female lead vocalist, even covering Spooner’s (Fire Town’s predecessor) “Mean Old World.” There are throwback rock songs and then there are others that depart. A healthily varied offering across this baker’s dozen.
While Pop Restoration was recorded on analog with emphasis on it being live in the studio, Hip Eponymous is layered with Paradyme Productions’ engineer and co-producer Jake Johnson adding occasional keyboards. Even if there is some loss of urgency, nothing can take away from the songwriting with primary writers Pam Barrett and Danny Hicks maintaining their respectable chops.
No loss of urgency on “Phenomenon and On” however, as the band slams into this one with punk frenzy, feedback giving away to a no-nonsense riff, guitars driving from start to abrupt finish. Similarly Hick’s guitars blaze on “Control.” “Rule the Ruin” is another pumper with acerbic lyrics, begging for a high-intensity live rendition. A standout. Another is “I Am You,” co-written by Barrett and drummer Brian Bentley, adding a healthy pinch of cool. This is one of two tracks where Bentley’s snare is treated and the tune is constructed around his rhythmic pattern. The ghostly backing vocals are a nice addition.
A couple of acoustic-based tracks round out the contents. “The Time You Wasted” has the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” vibe but avoids the overblown histrionics. A nice lyric from Barrett. “Wait for Me” is classic Barrett, sensitive, honest songwriting. The delay on Hick’s guitar in the short instrumental sections is a fine production touch.
These songs are sure to be kicked up a couple notches in live performance and, hell, they should be loads of fun to play. With two albums and several singles now, the band’s show should be well-loaded. It’s been said many times but Barrett is a Madison staple and she – and the band – deserve every bit of love you can throw at them. So fuck ‘em all and get out there. As Barrett opines:” No one will be saved / It’s all yours / Yours to choose / You make the rules / You can’t lose… / Rule the Ruin.
Rick Tvedt —Local Sounds Magazine