REISSUE: Head Automatica - Decadence (Deluxe Edition)

 

In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, restless established artists broke out of their molds with exciting and atypical side projects. For example, the guy from Jawbreaker went Country with his side project Cub Country and even Glenn Danzig put out an Opera album!  Notably, Daryl Palumbo from Brooklyn-based post-hardcore band Glassjaw created the sleazy dance rock project, Head Automatica.  Along with hip-hop producer Dan The Automator, Palumbo crafted an eclectic sound that took punk-fueled garage rock into new directions with dance club ready rhythms and big, bold hip hop-inspired electronics on their 2004 debut album, Decadence.     

Today, after 22 years, Decadence gets the deluxe reissue treatment from Omnivore Recordings.  Out now as an expanded 2LP set, the album is remastered and features 8 bonus tracks, reimagined album artwork and liner notes by Jason Pettigrew.   

Led by the single, “Beating Heart Baby” with its slick pop-leaning hooks, Daryl flicks on the neon lights to brighten up his usually darker, hardcore notions.  Dan The Automator brings his hip-hop minded production to the project with booming beats and bright electronics as on “Please Please Please (Young Hollywood)” and the dub-inflected “Head Automatica Soundsystem”, where the latter showcases Palumbo’s rap skills.  Other standouts include “Disco Hades II” stands out with its flittering disco guitars and a shuffling yet insistent beat and “Dance Party Plus” which lives up to its title and features guest vocals from Tim Armstrong of Rancid.    

Of the 8 bonus tracks, the pumped up EL-P remix of “Beating Heart Baby” and their cover of Squeeze’s New Wave era hit “Pulling Mussels (From A Shell)” are the cream of the crop.  

Head Automatica’s Decadence lives up to its name and with this new remastered and expanded vinyl edition, there’s now even more of a good thing! 

For more info: Head Automatica — Decadence [Deluxe Edition] – Omnivore Recordings 

Stream “Disco Hades II” here: