Jason’s Jukebox is kicking of 2023’s reviews with an old favorite – England’s Death Threat Cassette. A DIY homespun “group” that is one of my all-time favorites, for the last decade or so. Lee Pecqueur is the genius behind DTC and his quality control is impeccable. Formerly of the Seattle sound inspired Solanoid, Lee’s albums as DTC incorporate grunge, horrorcore, punk, and even hip-hop influences. The latest album from Lee was released a few months ago but I thought it’d be a perfect album review to start the new year with (yes, more reviews in 2023. I promise!). Clean Meat Never Fattened a Pig is a wonderful title with an even better album cover – old school animation that spells out the title with no words. Loved it already on the basis of the title and the cover, but I wondered – could Lee keep on delivering quality tunes on album 5? Thankfully, I needn’t have worried so – the new album delivers; stunningly so.
J’aime Le Grunge kicks off the album with a snippet of music with the title being repeated. A statement of intent. Death By A 1000 Cunts explodes with a fury soon after the opener fades away. One of the purest “rock” songs on the album, it is a welcome blast of aggression. Gobble Gobble Nosh Nosh immediately kicks in with beats added to the guitar orchestra. Are these song titles not hilarious? This song feels like a perfect symmetry of Lee’s hip hop and rock influences. As the album progresses, Lee / DTC alternates between looking forward and delivering rock workouts. Bombaclat is a mid-album highlight. A repetitive and infectious guitar refrain holding everything down while Lee alternately sings and raps his way through the song. “I got your number!” is practically a joyful rallying call as the song progresses. Lee, Myself & I seems to be inspired by De La Soul’s classic Me, Myself & I, and that’s only a good thing. A perfect fusion of guitar, beats, rapping, and singing. Bulletproof closes the album proper in a mostly straightforward manner. It inhabits that in between zone of aggression and lament – noisy guitars layer to create a heavenly white noise. Some of the finest singing from Lee on record to date. “Bulletproof…that is what I am to you.” – my favorite lyric on the album. Some copies of the album include bonus tracks that are a preview of Lee’s upcoming hip hop / soul project, L33.AM. These songs are very good as well, though do not feel part of the album proper – hence, bonus tracks.
Death Threat Cassette is a project well worth supporting. You can find all albums that have been released to date here. You can also stream the albums via all the usual suspects.
Verdict: Fifth Time’s the Charm
For Fans of: Babybird, Nirvana, Mudhoney, Free Kitten, Eminem
Tracks:
- J’aime Le Grunge
- Death By a 1000 Cunts
- Gobble Gobble Nosh Nosh
- Huaraches
- Mr. Sleeping Pills
- Booty & the Blow Bitch
- Bombaclat
- Bloodbath on the Dancefloor
- Crash & Burn
- Quasi Rihanna
- Lee, Myself & I
- Bulletproof