Down another gulp of whiskey, listen to the campfire stories coming from the speakers, dream of cross-country travel on a vintage motorcycle without a helmet, and welcome to the music of The King Teen.
Us Ugly Guys Got Style feels like a biographical work stitched together like a quilt of worldly observation, reflections, and depreciations that pull the curtain back on a life well-lived and remembered. “Mediocre Man” drives this home with lyrics like “You can teach a masterclass on doing just enough to pass” and “Take up two seats on the bus, know you are one of us.” They make me want to relive long Greyhound bus rides down the East Coast and sweat through the summer heat.
“Dream Not Found” kicks off the EP with an energy that makes me want to pack up and hit the road on a journey that I know will be full of highs and lows, achievements and disappointment. “Til then I’ll sign my postcards, dream not found” is a line I am jealous of and wish I could’ve written! Uncle Tupelo would have loved to have had this song on an album.
The opening line of “Sometimes I live in Heaven, sometimes I live in Hell” sets the emotional tone for “Thunderbird Motel”. The song is so vivid that I can picture a music video with The King Teen playing behind chicken wire at a Texas Roadhouse; audience members shout along, swallow bottles of beer by the gulp, and not let up until the song is done.
Yes, the lyrics are wonderful but do not miss the subtle ways that The King Teen shows his talent as a guitar player, Sometimes it is the banging of wood and wire that sets the tone, other times it is the light ringing of the strings, delicate sounds surrounded by words that make you feel like you are flipping through a photo album.
“The Human Touch” runs deep with a poignant message wrapped in a sugary pop package. It’s my new Luddite anthem, one I can only hope could reach the ears of the AI-peddling tech CEOs. “Left Two Three” feels ripe for this political moment. Why aren’t we singing this song at protests and rallies?!
An ending line like “When the band stops playing, the audience sings” says it all for me. The King Teen is making music for the sake of it and wanting others to be happy, whether that’s by looking inside or singing out loud.
Us Ugly Guys Got Style is a courageous and vulnerable listen. Its poignant lyrics sit on top of the music rather than in the mix. You hear the beautiful imperfections and passionate depth that make this EP feel alive and human.
When you see The King Teen live (and trust me, you should), there is the added treat of hearing him speak about these songs and the landscape of experiences that drove their songwriting. I can’t recommend this EP enough; it’s one you’ll listen to and put in heavy rotation. So go, sit under the stars, take a lug off the bottle, and seek adventure — all while inspired by The King Teen.
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