The Margaret Hooligans consist of one woman and... one man. Both of them highly conscientious and industrious with an openness of a curious improvisational comedian or an actor from a reputed 18th century theatrical play. Over the past two years, they have released over 37 songs and with them, 2 albums. This year, they come out with their 3rd full length attempt at capturing the spirit of garage rock revival with a hysterical touch to it.
"While most of the punk, garage and noisy rock songs touch on more or less the same feelings and themes, The Margaret Hooligans have managed to create something truly unique to themselves, moulding this revolutionary sound into enthralling experiences."
The band is a contradiction to itself in the most beautiful and original manner possible. With songs touching on themes about loneliness, drifting apart from a lover and soon after some of them touching on much more important messages about the singer's love for a dog and an assessment on someone being a donut. This sort of mix from being inane artists while also being able to create empowering instrumentals and metaphorically deep tracks is such a rare sight to be seen in the music space.
Their third studio album 'Saturday night in Bartertown' is everything there is to appreciate about this band. It starts out unapologetically with harsh drum sounds which catch the listener's curiosity right from the get go but then as the opening track 'My Dog Ringo' ends, they manage to have earned the confused and intrigued listener's attention. The tracks following the opening one have a wide array of different sounds and themes, with the man popping in from time to time with his goofy tantrums (some, at least).
Some songs which touch on deeper themes such as 'Hey Love', a track which beautifully uncovers a story about someone drifting away from their lover with the use of a metaphor about spaceships. Some other tracks which piqued my interest were 'I won't speed up You won't slow down' and 'What kind of a donut are you?'.
The album clocks in just over 44 minutes and is actually perfectly paced, never feeling bland or antiquated. It doesn't leave the listener as hungry as the dog in the track 'Doggie Pizza Crust' and always has to offer something that one would have never guessed they'd have heard in their lifetime. With such silly adlibs and also a harmonica tune that somehow makes its cameo and kills it. Also, this album's cover art along with all other ones of this band should be praised as well because they are a beautiful display of the smorgasbord sound you will be getting yourself into.
I would recommend this album to damn near anybody because everyone deserves a little sunshine in their lives. If you love The Strokes, The Pavement and Sum 41 you'll genuinely have a blast listening to this one.
Test this melody for yourself here -