In the vinyl days, we used to use the phrase “wearing the grooves off” for records that you played over and over again. There are certain titles which I own two, three, or even four copies of, because I would play them so many times that the record started to just sound crunchy and dull at the same time.
Twelve Jealous Roses, by the Dancing Hoods, was one of those. It was one of the first records I moved to digital as soon as I had a set up that allowed me to. It’s vibrant, and the songwriting is some of the best I know. The tunes are memorable, and the performance has got a great rock and roll attitude. The ballads, perhaps a little naive today, are really quite moving as well. The Dancing Hoods were one of the best bands of the 80′s, and they were completely overlooked. They put out two albums and an EP, and then faded away.
But about 10 years ago, Mark Linkous, the brains behind that band resurfaced with a new vehicle: Sparklehorse. And although Sparklehorse got a lot of attention and great reviews, I never caught up with them.
Hit me with a flower, kiss me with a brick,
throw me up against the wall and see if I stick.
You know I just don’t care,
cause nothing in this life is fair.
This past Saturday, Linkous killed himself in Knoxville Tennessee.
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March 9, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Michael Hunter
I thought I was the only person who remembered the Dancing Hoods!
I met Mark Linkous once at the Cotton Club when Sparklehorse played a show with “Holes” era Mercury Rev. A great double bill. I’m a big fan of the first Sparklehorse record, and told him so. He was surprised that I knew the Dancing Hoods, too. I think he wasn’t really the main songwriter for the Hoods.
Great version of the Left Banke’s “She May Call You Up” on this record.