STRANGLED DARLINGS – BOOM STOMP KING (SELF-RELEASED)

Duo from Portland, Oregon: George Veech sings lead and plays mandolin, Jess Anderly sings backing and plays a six-string electric cello.  They describe their music alternately as “Americana doom pop,” “punkgrass,” or “graveyard stomp,” which gives a good idea of its genre-crossing nature.  It’s bluesy folk with lyrics that probe somewhat darker or stranger terrain.  Strong vocals and good variety of styles throughout.  I like the bluesier tunes here — for example 2, 4, and 6 (especially number 2, about oxycontin addiction).  Numbers 5 and 8 are very catchy too.  A likeable album that holds your interest throughout.  The band is playing four dates in Vermont in September, including Radio Bean on September 27.