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Nobunny
First Blood
Goner 60
Released on September 21, 2010
Vinyl includes MP3 download card
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Hail! Hail! America’s favorite loopily leporine rock ’n’
roller, Nobunny, is back with a new album, First Blood, and
it’s his catchiest batch of tunes yet. The melodious masked
man kicks it off with “Ain’t It a Shame,” a bittersweet
tale of a rocky romance in which Nobunny’s lover has no
choice but to endure his frequent indiscretions. He’s just
that damned charming. “Blow Dumb” is a Velvet-y tribute
to all the things that make life worth livin’—“smokin’
Copenhagen,” make-out sessions and “burger breaks.” In
fact, First Blood never overstays its welcome and lasts about
as long as a particularly adventurous mid-party burger run.
“(Do the) Fuck Yourself” immediately jumps to the top of
the list of onanistic rock songs along with the Who’s “Pictures
of Lily,” Devo’s “Praying Hands” and the Gizmos’
“Pumpin’ to Playboy.” Have fun trying not to sing this infectious
little number in inappropriate situations. Sure, we
all know that Nobunny can deliver a raunchy, good-times
number like no one else, but can our floppy-eared fop get
sophisticated? Let the contemplative vibe and beautiful
strings on “Breathe” answer that. “Live It Up” is the
most optimistic of a collection of upbeat songs. Nobunny
is so happy, he makes the 1910 Fruitgum Co. sound like
Joy Division. On “I Was On (The Bozo Show),” Nobunny
dreamily recalls a moment from his childhood where he actually
shared the stage with the late, great clown-god Larry
Harmon. In under half an hour, Nobunny goes through
every worthy rock ’n’ roll subgenre—bubblegum pop, garage,
rockabilly and psych—and still beautifully articulates
every single human emotion with ease.

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