Cut Worms / Cut Worms
Album: Cut Worms   Collection:General
Artist:Cut Worms   Added:Aug 2023
Label:Jagjaguwar  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2023-08-19 Pull Date: 2023-10-21
Week Ending: Oct 22 Oct 15 Oct 8 Oct 1 Sep 24 Sep 17 Sep 10 Sep 3
Airplays: 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Jan 12, 2024: KZSU Time Traveler
Ballad Of The Texas King
4. Oct 28, 2023: Music Casserole
Too Bad
2. Dec 01, 2023: KZSU Time Traveler
Ballad Of The Texas King
5. Oct 20, 2023: KZSU Time Traveler
Ballad Of The Texas King
3. Nov 16, 2023: elemenohps & qs
Ballad Of The Texas King
6. Oct 14, 2023: Hanging In The Boneyard
Ballad Of The Texas King

Album Review
Francis D
Reviewed 2023-08-13
“Cut Worms” Cut Worms
Bedroom pop, leaning at times toward folk rock. Pays homage to “pop essentialism” — as the artist, Max Clarke, describes it — of the late 60s and early 70s. Third album from the Brooklyn-based Clarke, who released his debut in 2018. Well-crafted tunes with catchy melodies, precise arrangements and lyrics that range from topical insights to simple love songs. A DIY feel to this project, not surprisingly because Clarke handled most of the production and mixing himself, with help from selected friends. Quite an enjoyable set for a warm summer evening. RIYL: Fruit Bats, Sofa City Sweetheart, Beach Boys, Paul Simon or Paul McCartney.
— Francis

Recommended: 3, 7, 1, 2, 9, 8, 6. No FCCs detected.

1. (4:12) Don’t Fade Out — Opens with a piano hook, then slides into a simple, breezy synth-based pop tune reminiscent of what Carole King and Gerry Goffin might have written in the 60s. ***
2. (3:57) Take It And Smile — Old-timey sound that recalls the doo wop of the 60s — with throaty, reverbed guitar. Wistful vocals rise and fall. ***
3. (3:03) Ballad Of The Texas King — A Brit pop feeling to the melody and carefree vocals. Like sunshine-y Kinks, only with a hint of Americana thanks to pedal steel guitar in the lead break. A fabulous single! ****
4. (5:37) I’ll Never Make It — A tune that takes us to school dances of old, with romantic lyrics about young love. Jerry Lee Lewis-style piano, with a nice bass line and some lightly tripping electric guitar flourishes.
5. (3:34) Is It Magic? — Slightly jazzy and bouncy, with harmonized vocals reminiscent of surf rock such as the Beach Boys or Jan and Dean.
6. (2:35) Let’s Go Out On The Town — An early Beatles sound. Very simple song construction and lyrics. Would fit on one of the Fab Four’s early albums. **
7. (3:33) Living Inside — Plinking piano. Thumping bass. Subtle strings under the plaintive vocals. ****
8. (3:36) Use Your Love! (Right Now) — A bit of a Beach Boys vibe from their later era. Staccato guitar, measured keyboards, skipping drums and sweet, high harmonies. ***
9. (4:46) Too Bad — Slow, sad, shimmery ballad with a hint of Donovan. Contemplating lost loves and missed opportunities. ***

Track Listing
1. Don't Fade Out   5. Is It Magic?
2. Take It And Smile   6. Let's Go Out On The Town
3. Ballad Of The Texas King   7. Living Inside
4. I'll Never Make It   8. Use Your Love! (Right Now)
  9. Too Bad