Barons Of Tang, The

Barons of Tang – First EP
Reviewed by Sadie O., 7/8/11
“Gypsy Punk Metal Rock Circus Rockabilly”. Says so right there on the one-sheet. Who am I to argue? They’re from Australia, rather than Argentina or Croatia or someplace, but that probably just gives them a good excuse for being punky and quite awfully goofy. Yippee!
1. 0:51 **Theremin solo. Complete with bees. Leads into next track.
2. 3:44 ***groovy syncopated drums for a minute, then a swingy upbeat gypsy/cartoon three-legged polka. Changes up, with weirdness and squeeps.
3. 4:15 ***ha ha! hyperspeed goofilcious tango. It really IS a tango, it’s just a bit gonzo. With bongos!
4. 7:23 ***squeezebox waltz, rather steampunkish aura. Some quite delectable moments. I think it’s in 8/9 time at some point in there. There’s also a bit of hayseed polka. Spends the last minute speeding up into oblivion.
5. 5:32 ***wistful harp plinks. Becomes a slow waltz with cigar box banjo or something. Terribly fraught. Very lachrymose harmonica, and the violin is not at all right, in the sense of a possible stomach obstruction. It is true that there is whistling, however.