If I asked articial intelligence to analyze my music collection and come up with a prototype of the music I listen to, I wouldn’t be surprised to receive a four-word answer: Friends Of Cesar Romero. The main outlet of the insanely prolific J. Waylon Porcupine ticks so many boxes of what my ears and brain desire, it’s a near perfect match. Upbeat? Energetic? Rockin’? Melodic? Infectious? Check, check, check, check, check. This is precisely why you’ll never hear me complain about FOCR’s habit of releasing new music practically every couple of weeks.
This Wednesday marked the release of Cardiac Vacancy aka installment 38 of the band’s Doomed Babe series. Seven songs long, it’s the closest FOCR has ventured to a full-length album since last year’s Six Banger (number 31 of the series). Given all these releases it’s easy to lose track but Cardiac Vacancy may be my favorite FOCR release of 2023. It’s not solely due to the genuinely affectionate rendition of the Sal & Bobbi Trimachi penned bubblegum classic 1-2-3 Red Light – made famous by 1910 Fruitgum Company. The song serves as just one example of the playful nature of the songs on the EP.
While these tracks of course originate from his bruised and battered heart, there’s an unmistakable sense that J. Waylon wants to transform those feelings into upbeat, head-bopping tunes infused with wry and dark humor. Take, for instance, the classic rock’n’roll driven The Ballad Of Fred Upton which kicks off with the lines: “I might be cruel, But she was crueler. If I’m a diamond, Then she’s a jeweler.” It’s impossible not to move. And when you read the liner notes that Cardiac Vacancy was recorded by “ol’ Narcissistic” Fred Upton, your grin is bound to broaden.
FOCR sounds razor sharp and in top form on other tracks as well. You’re Dreaming, Schoolgirl, Leave The Rest To Me, One More Night and Make Up Your Mind Up all serve as bittersweet powerpop hits. Adding some variety to the mix, Might As Well Dress Me In Black emerges as the most garagey song of the EP. I am aware that labeling most if not all songs on the EP as standouts or highlights might dilute the meaning of the term, but truth be told, I don’t really care. They are all hits!
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I wish touring worked for J Waylon. Was great to see the Reddmen last year. I would def go see FoCR
I agree, one of his most enjoyable EPs.
But I dont get the joke you mentioned? ” It’s impossible not to move. And when you read the liner notes that Cardiac Vacancy was recorded by “ol’ Narcissistic” Fred Upton, your grin is bound to broaden.”
My bad, it’s a reference to him getting his own song (Ballad of Fred Upton) from J Waylon, and the lyrics of said song.