I leave Pennsylvania, and they start in with the tape labels. Well hey,
PA, I ain’t coming back. I’ve left. I’m gone. You had your chance – for, like,
decades – and now I’m out. Your wicked musical cassettes can’t entice me to
return!
But this isn’t about me and my Pennsylvanian regret. This is about Doug
Polgardy and HIS Pennsylvanian regret! Probably. Allentown’s Endangered Species
Tapes certainly isn’t NOT enabling him here, and just because I was born in
Allentown Hospital doesn’t give them a free pass to ratchet up the existential
angst of an Eastern PA existence. What DOES give everybody a free pass to do
everything pretty much however the heck they want is the droning tonal torture
Polgardy’s inflicting on us, an aural waterboarding that actually leaves you
begging for more waterboarding! Not sure how that metaphor works, but bear with
me … or don’t, it’s up to you. What I can tell you is this: Check Engine Palace
knows how to get under your skin with a fairly minimal palette, and it’s not
really the aural equivalent of waterboarding but more of someone gently
chiseling at your face.
And you’re a T-800 Terminator in this scenario.
These five tracks glow like nefarious radiation leaks. Prepare
accordingly and enjoy liberally.
--Ryan
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