The Days of Lore

Drugs, rugs and hugs

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 | musiX

I guess Drug Rug is better than Throw Rug or Rug Burn. Maybe not.

Drug Rug hails from Cambridge, Massachusetts, but the duo’s ramshackle power-pop elicits more of a baking-in-the-Southern California-sun (pre-ozone deterioration, of course) feel-good vibration. Tommy Allen and Sarah Cronin’s self-titled debut was a tender and twee love letter to one another, and while the group’s latest Paint the Fence Invisible is still mushy at times, there’s a little more hair-pulling going on. Guitars buzz louder. And organs and percussion give the album a much-needed sonic thwacking. “Blue Moon” and “Never Tell” are uncompromisingly catchy, while “Noah Rules” and “Don’t Be Frightened By the Devil” get lost in psychedelic squirliness (the distortion break on “Noah Rules” is brilliant). The songs, of course, are still bolstered by the couple’s harmonies, which lovingly embrace in a wash of Mamas & the Papas-meets-Fleetwood Mac shimmer [Editors Note: I break for Fleetwood Mac shimmer].

Drug Rug is currently on tour with Portland’s own Portugal. The Man. They’ve also toured with Dr. Dog, and have, on a few occasions, been compared to them. Which is unfortunate. Sure, both bands share a love for the Beatles and neo-retro production values; but while Dr. Dog’s songs have become less and less interesting with each release, Drug Rug seems unafraid to turn a few (studio) tricks while still paying homage to those sounds of yore. One thing I can promise: It’s music made for warm summer days … take advantage before the sun goes away.

“Blue Moon” - Drug Rug

“Noah Rules” - Drug Rug

Tags: Drug Rug, Paint the Fence Invisible, Sarah Cronin, Tommy Allen

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