Cory Hawthorne and Hangdog Harry Reviewed
Cory Hawthorne – Stoned
Cory Hawthorne is a modern-day Buddha, a man that cannot be touched by the world’s greatest problems, a human that’s found total balance. But it hasn’t come easily. In fact, there was a massive price to pay, and it came through years of trying to play by the rules, doing one’s best to obey parents and teachers, and attempts to understand the political landscape.
And where does it all get you? Are you really a better man for being able to recite the atrocities on the morning news, or the think pieces published in The Guardian? No! You’re likely just more stressed and, now, possess a marginally better vocabulary. Is it really worthwhile to become a pillar of society and do everything right?
Cory Hawthorne doesn’t think so. In fact, the AC/DC-like riff of “Stoned” and the hilarious lyrics are delivered in order to tell you about some nasty, lingering regrets. Hawthorne’s found only stress, misery and ever-mounting pressure when trying to play by the rules. “Stoned” is the Siddhartha-like realisation that trusting your instincts and choosing the least amount of responsibility might’ve been the way to go all along.
Hangdog Harry – Smoke ’em If You Got ’em
Imagine how hard it must be for all those hippies with their guitars tied around their necks. Yeah, they’re still around, still strumming the same chords and, wouldn’t you know it, they’re touring the same old hits.
It’s just a shame that most of those hits were written on the topics of love, faith and understanding. No, people don’t believe in those things anymore. But they’d like to. In fact, they’d like to try and believe they’re sitting in a field at Woodstock.
The hippies don’t believe anymore. What good does that do them? They still smile, give the V sign (the other one!) and want us to believe in love. Still, if that sounds exhausting, Hangdog Harry’s got an answer.
“Now that you’re at the bottom, everything’s looking up!” That’s what the ol’ Hangdog sings, and, yes, “Smoke ’em If You Got ’em” is a song about giving up and living it up. It’s no joke either. Harry sounds like he’s auditioning for a remake of Altamont and he wants to be sure he’ll be puffing away in front of all them Angels.
