Borracho / Eggnogg – Sludgy Erna Bastard Vol. 1 (Palaver Records, 19 March 2015)

Hey, guess what. It’s Monday. Another weekend concluded, another work week begun. By now, you’re all surely well aware of my Garfieldian opinions about Mondays (also, mornings; also, lasagna), so I see little point to continue any interaction with that particular decreased equine.

So let’s change the subject, because we all know you’ve come here to hear some music, not to read my grumpy mutterings. It’s been over a year since we last checked in on our favorite D.C.-area stoner/fuzz rockers Borracho, so it’s probably about time for an update there.

As it turns out, around three months ago, the folks at Nashville’s Palaver Records launched the first entry in their new series of 7″ splits, which they’ve titled Sludgy Erna Bastard. (Slur the syllables together a bit when you say it out loud, and it should make more sense.) This inaugural edition pairs a Borracho song with a contribution from Brooklynites (and Palaver roster alums) Eggnogg. I suspect you’ll find each of them well worth taking the time to check out…

Borracho (photo by Valley of Steel)

Eggnogg (photo by JJ Koczan of The Obelisk)

Starting things off, “King’s Disease” — as I understand it — is actually built upon an older Borracho song, which the trio recently gave brand new lyrics and had remixed. This background story makes sense, because the dirty-blues guitar solo that jumps in somewhere around the middle of the track, as well as a sprinkling of lead parts throughout, all of which sound very cool, gives the impression of having been intended for a configuration with two guitarists (as had been the case up until a few years ago). Overall the song gives off a heavy stoner-grunge vibe, that should definitely appeal to fans of Mudhoney or maybe TAD.

Speaking of stoner-grunge, the flip side features “Slugworth” by Eggnogg — a band whose existance was unknown to this writer prior to hearing this record. After hearing it, I was mildly surprised to learn that they come from New York and not somewhere a bit more to the south. Aptly titled, the song trudges along with a rather mellow, chilled-out, bass-heavy groove — until a killer distortion riff kicks in (at several key points during the song), stomping all over everything in its path. In total, the parts add up to one hell of a catchy earwig, likely to leave you grinning and toe-tapping (especially if you happen to dig the Melvins‘ brand of sludge-laden heaviness).

For those who can’t get enough Borracho, they will be taking part in yet another split record later this year, as Ripple Music will be kicking off their own series of splits, and the first volume will pair these guys with Geezer. And if you really dug the Eggnogg tune here, you’re in luck, because it’s supposed to be one of the tracks that will appear on that band’s next full length record, also due later this year.
 
You can listen to both sides of this split at each band’s respective Bandcamp page (see below). The 7″ is available for purchase — or for just $2 more you can get it bundled with Borracho‘s 2014 split with Cortez! Either way, you can grab a copy right here.
 

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http://www.borrachomusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/BorrachoDC
http://twitter.com/borracho_DC
http://borracho.bandcamp.com/
 
http://www.thenogg.com/
http://www.facebook.com/eggnoggmusic
http://www.twitter.com/eggnoggmusic
http://eggnogg.bandcamp.com/
 
http://www.palaverrecords.com/
http://www.facebook.com/palaverrecords
http://www.twitter.com/palaverrecords
http://www.palaverrecords.com/store