It’s been over a decade since Hanalei put out their last official full-length. If you’ve been waiting for a new album, the time has come. On March 12, Hanalei releases Black Snow on Pittsburgh’s A-F Records. For the uninitiated, Hanalei is the vehicle for punk veteran Brian Moss. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because you like remember him from bands like The Ghost and The Wunder Years.
With Hanalei, Moss is able to add to his reputation as a prolific song writer. On Black Snow, Moss takes the role of several first person narrators to sing about a fictional world in the not too distant future. On this album, climate change has finally persevered and destroyed our planet, triggering the destruction of modern society.
The lyrics and melodies on the album are absolutely beautiful, even if they’re tinged with a sense of dread and foreshadowing of where we’re heading as a society. It’s a very thought-provoking album to say the least – one everything should seek out given the relevance of the content in today’s society. If you’re a fan of bands and musicians like The Anniversary, The Hold Steady, Laura Stevenson, and The Weakerthans, you will absolutely love this album.
With the new Hanalei album coming out this week, Brian Moss took some time out of his schedule to give us some insight into his music tastes. Below, check out what he had to say about his favorite album, the most underrated album, and his uncensored thoughts on Aerosmith. After reading, make sure you check out Black Snow!
Favorite Album
“The Weakerthans, Left and Leaving. John K. Samson should be canonized. I’d argue that he’s one of the best lyricists of the past two and a half decades. His command of language is profound, yet economical and accessible (think Schwarzenback sans the flair and literary flexing), and it’s artfully stitched into beautifully crafted songs. This particular record is both devastating and uplifting. It’s strange that one song can induce waterworks, while the next brings on an optimistic smile and a warming sensation somewhere under the ribs. The genre descriptor of “folk-punk” has some cringeworthy connotations, but perhaps this should be considered the definitive benchmark. Standouts: “Watermark,” “Left and Leaving,” and “My Favourite Chords.”
Overrated Album
“Aersomith, Toys in the Attic. Fuck Aersomith. I don’t know if it’s the vocal approach, shimmy-shufflin’ hips, the scarves on the mic stand, the Pantene-laden hair, or the seemingly endless supply of masturbatory guitar solos, but I loathe this band. Musical fingernails on a chalkboard. Audio torture. Standouts: Tossing the entire catalog into a dumpster fire where it belongs.”
Underrated Album
“Baby Huey, The Baby Huey Story: Living Legend. Soul collectors and hip-hop sample researchers are likely privy, but this record often flies under the radar. Baby Huey was an absolute force. This slab of wax hits hard from start to finish and incorporates an array of influences ranging from rhythm and blues to psych (and I generally don’t do psych). Unstoppable backbeats, bass grooves, and guitar lines are peppered with horns, but the earth-shaking vocals are really what puts this on another level. Holy dynamics and range! Standouts: “Listen to Me,” “Hard Times,” and “Mighty Mighty.”
