Photo by Shervin Lainez
On last year’s Pretty Years, New York quartet Cymbals Eat Guitars pushed punk-inspired rock into some unexplored corners. Their influences are common–Springsteen, Bowie, the Cure, the Smiths–but they fit those stadium-sized aspirations into a rawer, sweatier framework. Singer/guitarist Joseph D’Agostino’s hyperspecific lyrics lend each song a rich narrative arc. It also helps that the band can explode on cue, punching with white-knuckle guitar solos or synth squiggles.
“Have A Heart” is D’Agostino’s first real attempt at writing a straightforward love song, but in true Cymbals fashion, it’s not too linear. The song fizzes with a mix of excitement and trepidation, perfectly capturing that pit-of-your-stomach feeling. “I’m so out of sync,” he growls, “and you’re out of sync with me.” The band’s kinetic thrust comes from this simple fact: we’re all we’ve got.
“Have A Heart” appears on Pretty Years, out now. Cymbals Eat Guitars play tonight at Stubb’s indoors with Austin’s Palo Duro.
–Art Levy // host, Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., producer, My KUTX
