by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
This year marks one glorious decade of Rick Rude, the New Hampshire DIY legends who have stolen the hearts of all that have come across the band. It’s been five long years since the Seacoast quartet released their last album, Verb For Dreaming, but the wait for new music is over, and not a moment too soon. Laverne, the band’s upcoming third album is due out February 2nd via Midnight Werewolf Records and Best Brother Records, shows that the kinetic friendship energy that has embraced Rick Rude’s music over the years is in fine form. Heck, they’ve never sounded better. There’s a force to be heard in Rick Rude’s sound, but it’s consistently delivered with a warmth, the surging guitars and nimble rhythms bolstered by inherent heart found in the writing. You ever feel like a guitar tone is hugging you?
“Winded Whale,” the album’s first single is about as good as it gets. It’s the kind of song built for the repeat button. With Rick Rude’s music alternating between two and three vocalists over the years, there’s a distinction in each voice, different pieces of the same brilliant whole. “Winded Whale” finds Ben Troy (guitar, vocals) at the forefront, his powerful but calming presence a favorite around these parts. There’s something very special about the way Troy’s voice sits within Rick Rude songs. Together with Ryan Harrison (drums), Jordan Holtz (bass, vocals), and Chris Kennedy (guitar), the band rip into the single with sinewy leads and a pulsating shuffle that’s part Crazy Horse (check out their cover of “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere”) and equal parts the New England community that they’ve surrounded themselves with. The song comes tearing out with a warbly melody, piercing through the pummeling density, settling only to give impact to Troy’s words. As the hook comes tearing though, the gentle verse becomes obliterated in a laid back way, capturing the magic of Rick Rude when indulging in a fuzzy but primal ripper.
The video, directed by paper__cicada is comprised of a wonderful animation that brings the song and its themes to life. The clip follows a stuffed animal whale’s journey from off the bed into strange new worlds, in a quest to find home via a lonely and often scary path. Whether fully stuffed or flat and in tears (much like the viewer), our lil’ buddy perseveres. Tune in to find out what happens and listen to “Winded Whale” on repeat.