Hello Reader,
Welcome back. How are you? I hope all is well.
Full disclosure: Laura Jane Grace is a musician, activist and author whose career I’ve been following since before her dead name. She’s been publicly living as Grace since 2012. I’ve been consuming media she’s made and really loving the how good the folk-punk music sounded on the turntable. That being said, the following album review is made with objectivity.
As the frontwoman of Against Me! Grace was essential in the band releasing the awesome albums: Is Reinventing Axl Rose (2002), As the Eternal Cowboy (2003), Searching for a Former Clarity (2005), New Wave (2007), White Crosses (2010), Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014), and Shape Shift With Me (2016). After Against Me!, a new group was brought together and called themselves Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers. They released the album, titled Bought to Rot (2018). 2020 saw Grace releasing an album under just her own name, titled Stay Alive, and the following year in 2021, saw the release of an EP titled At War With The Silverfish.
And now, a new album has been released for your listening pleasure. Hole in My Head out via the fabulous Polyvinyl Records on 2/16 for your listening pleasure. The idea to name the album that was part of her ink journey, and the last place remaining was her head. Grace had to shave her head for this.
Grace sought out the help of Matt Patton. Patton, the Drive-By Truckers bass guitarist and backing vocalist since 2012, is used to playing music within a different genre than Grace (southern rock, roots rock, rock), but knows how to collaborate. And it is on beautiful display within Hole in My Head. Patton says, “I would say that our working relationship was immediately comfortable just in the way that she was able to articulate, you know, what it was that she wanted me to do. And you know, she had the musical cue and vocabulary to get her points across to where we can work efficiently without any confusion or disagreements. It was a, you know, it was a different level for me.”
Album credits:
- Laura Jane Grace: Songwriter, musical instrumentation (guitar, drums) on all songs.
- Matt Patton plays bass and sings backing vocals on “Hole In My Head,” “I’m Not A Cop,” “Birds Talk too,” “Punk Rock In Basements,” “Mercenary” and “Keep Your Wheels Straight”
- Recorded by David Beeman at Native Sound in St Louis, Missouri
Mixed by Matt Allison at Atlas Studios
Mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room
And now some hype for your ears!
The title song. I love the literal punk transition of the video, “Hole in My Head”:
(All credits and rights to Laura Jane Grace)
The vital security blanket, “Dysphoria Hoodie”:
(All credits and rights to Laura Jane Grace)
Holding optimism for the future while struggling in the present, “Cuffing Season”:
(All credits and rights to Laura Jane Grace)
Overall, Hole in My Head is a lot of things. In a good way. It has the folk-punk vocals you come to expect from Grace. There’s some rage, frustration and a ton of emotion in her voice. The vocal delivery will remind you of her previous discography. On top of that, Patton’s addition really makes a fuller band sound whether it’s his bass guitar or backing vocals. Kudos to both musicians for not only coming together but to make some fantastic music. Some nods to older music sounds and influences were made. The album has trans and dysphoria subject matter that are present in Grace’s daily existence and featured on albums over the past decade. Hole in My Head has a warm embrace and heart and also optimism for the future. The album is a blistering pace, 12 songs under 30 minutes. Still a punk in the best ways.
“Hole In My Head” opens the album in a raucous fashion. The melody kicks right in from the start. Grace’s vocals asking “Baby, what’s the point” are delivered in a different accent. To me they are reminiscent of an English punk. The refrain is the title and really hammers the point home.
“I’m Not A Cop” features a driving oldies melody. Pun intended. While listening, if you are reminded of Eddie Cochran or Jonathan Richman, your sensibilities are correct. Grace was influenced by Richman throughout the album including this song. However this is not a carbon copy, far from it. The lyrics are examining.
The next song, “Dysphoria Hoodie” has a great acoustic guitar-based melody held up by strumming. Lyrics tell of body image, wanting to be enveloped in safety and comfort. Finding that within a hoodie.
“Birds Talk Too” opens with some great guitar that reminds me of 80s melodies. The lyrics are inspired by a gift Grace received from one of her two master Japanese tattoo artists after ten years or inking Grace. The gift? A hand-painted Gretsch guitar adorned with swirling white and silver cloud-like shapes.
The fifth song on Hole In My Head, “Punk Rock in Basements” is a beautiful homage to her experience in the Punk Rock scene. Anyone that spent time in a local scene especially from the proto days until…well recently before COVID, can relate with this specific experience. The lyrics are reflective and look forward, and question the future? I love the homage to the past with the jangly guitars and the lively melody.
“Cuffing Season” has a slower tempo than previous songs on the album, yet Grace’s vocals remain strong and resolutely delivered. In fact, the vocals stand out more due to the melodies pacing. The melody is crafted by acoustic guitar which pairs perfectly with said vocal delivery. The lyrics are focused in the present and tell of struggles, but they also hold out hope for the future. There’s optimism here.
“Tacos and Toast” features lyrics about Grace’s 42nd birthday on top of acoustic guitar. Some questionable choices were made?
In “Mercenary” Patton’s bass and more roots sound pairs well Grace’s passionate vocal delivery. The lyrics are about a normal human need, the desire to feel loved and wanted.
The next song, “Keep Your Wheels Straight” showcases Grace’s love for St. Louis. The refrain is the song title. The lyrics reassure and remind to stay on course. The melody is enhanced by some clapping.
“Hard Feelings” features reflective lyrics in a regretful and apologetic tone over guitar strumming.
The ending song, “Give Up The Ghost” is triumphant in nature. Both in melody and lyrics. The song lyrics are about moving forward, onward and past the past. Great way to end an album and look towards the future.
Hole in My Head gets 4.5 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It is an excellent album. I love the length as is, but I also wouldn’t mind a longer album. Grace’s vocals and musicianship are in fine form. As are Matt Patton’s. They are a really solid pairing. If you’ve liked her previous albums, you’ll like this one as well. The overall sound quality is outstanding throughout the album. This album is worth adding to your collection on any format. I would suggest vinyl as to me, that would be the very best sound. Add it to your collection!
Hole in My Head Track listing (song length)
- Hole In My Head (1:42)
- I’m Not A Cop (2:33)
- Dysphoria Hoodie (2:34)
- Birds Talk Too (1:58)
- Punk Rock in Basements (2:10)
- Cuffing Season (2:27)
- Tacos and Toast (2:26)
- Mercenary (2:28)
- Keep Your Wheels Straight (2:39)
- Hard Feelings (2:13)
- Give Up The Ghost (2:37)
Total runtime: 26:44
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is usually an hour or less from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on the album.
Laura’s website with all her socials, tour info, merch, her writing and everything else you may want to know is here!
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
