Angry Angles: "Things Are Moving"
It’s been a decade since the late Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr.—better known as Jay Reatard—released Blood Visions, his proper solo debut. The album established his reputation as one of punk’s most promising auteurs, and yet, his original plan for domination centered around a different project: Angry Angles, his collaboration with then-girlfriend Alix Brown, with whom he founded Shattered Records, and frequently, Ryan Rousseau of Destruction Unit. Even with the imminent release of Blood Visions, Reatard devoted significant creative attention to his work in the Angles, and wanted their record, rather than his solo effort, to be the focus of his tour that year. Unfortunately, the couple broke up before the album could be finished, putting an end to the project and compelling Reatard to take an inward focus yet again.
Ten years after the group’s split—and six after Reatard’s untimely death—Goner is releasing the Angry Angles’ complete recordings. Several unreleased tracks are featured on the collection, including a previously-unreleased version of their song “Things Are Moving” (which was included on the 2006 compilation Totally Shattered Live!!!). Endearingly lopsided in its construction, Reatard’s winding hooks overpower the tinned drums, like an anvil being tugged along on a rusty metal wagon. Brown’s ragged vocals, meanwhile, add depth to both Reatard’s distinctive yowls, and the ramshackle sound of the track as a whole. Like the best of Reatard’s material, “Things Are Moving” takes the sweet with the sandpapery, forcing pop and punk to make nice—and how!
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