Snatches of Pink- Hyena (MoRisen)

Chapel hill glitter rebels Snatches of Pink have been around, in one incarnation or another, since 1985. Back then, they were one of the few bands on the scene skinny enough, and slinky enough, to successfully share stages with supercats like Thunders and Iggy and seem like peers, not posers. Fueled by the unmistakable chime of Michael Rank’s guitar- a crystal sheen roar when the arena came calling, an ethereal, rain-soaked jangle in quieter times- they were a remarkably adept rock and roll machine, capable of Motor City savagery, snake-hipped glam, million-dollar pop, or emotionally charged roots rock, depending on mood or occasion. Although they enjoyed a fair amount of regional success, much like that other great ‘lost’ band of the 90’s, Dramarama, Snatches of Pink were ultimately victims of their own aptitude- they were just too good, and the success they most certainly deserved slipped ‘em by, in favor of grunge and other forms of electrified suicide. In the early 90’s, Rank released a personal and poignant solo record, “Coral”, that remains one of my favorite records, ever. He was the quintessential American rock and roll poet- sad but proud, bruised but unafraid, with his heart on his sleeve but an extra ace in his back pocket, just in case. He sang like Marc Bolan, played guitar like Keef, and looked like Rod Stewart. He was a rock star, if I ever saw one. So, where the fuck did he go?

Snatches of Pink regrouped in the mid-90’s as Clarissa (“It always felt like there was sort of a bad ju-ju curse hanging over Snatches of Pink”, Rank said about the name change, to ESP magazine) and released another 2 albums, but they fell under my radar completely. In fact, I had no idea what happened to Rank after “Coral”, although I did often wonder. Recently, out of the blue, Michael contacted me, to let me know Snatches of Pink were back together, and had a new album out. Well, right on.

“Hyena” is as brilliant as “Coral” was, filled with tough rock and roll songs, tempered with an uncanny pop sensibility. Comparisons to Hunky Dory-era Bowie, Dogs D’Amour, any ex-Gunner’s solo record (Izzy, Duff, Gilby), the Suicide Twins, Nash Kato’s “Debutante”, the aforementioned Dramarama, and just about any other star-spangly true believer in the glory and redemption of all things rock are all welcome, I’m sure, but hardly necessary. I’m sure they’d be pleased just to hear that it sounds kinda like the Stones, and that it made you happy when you listened to it. For me, it’s like running into an old friend after a decade’s absence, and realizing that it wasn’t just the time past that gave me such fond memories, but that there really was something good and noble and true about ‘em, and it’s still there, alive and well and kicking up a storm. I can’t find a song on here that doesn’t sound like something I want to listen to another dozen times, but “Otto Wood” is probably the most immediate hit, with it’s drawling, singalong chorus and it’s choppy sleaze rock riff, and “Chinese Rope” is the raunchiest, with a nasty-ass guitar line that brings to mind the bad dog bite of the Lanternjack. Really, though, the whole record is stellar. “Hyena” is a most welcome return, indeed. Of course, Snatches of Pink are still men out of time- not a lick of emo or nu-anything on here, baby- but I reckon they’re getting used to that.

So, why now, in these terrible endtimes, these days of strife and terror, would a brittle-hearted poet in ragged scarves and sparkly tatters return to the trenches? Well, because rock n' rollers have never been known for good timing, baby. And anyway, purity of intent and honest-to-god soul is timeless, which means that Snatches of Pink are not late to the party at all- they were just waiting for all the posers and good time kids to leave. Now that only the cool people are left, slit-eyed, satisfied, and feelin’ just a little bit melancholy, what better time to break out the battered guitars, dust off the boas and pointy boots, and rock and roll like we used to do, back when anything was not only possible, but probable? “Hyena” is all the good things you remember about being young and good lookin’ and just as rock as fuck, only now they’re older, wiser, and yeah, better. I wouldn’t expect anything less from these guys. Highly recommended.