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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

A City Dressed In Dynamite

That Handsome Devil

2008

A City Dressed In Dynamite
Album Summary

This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.

A City Dressed in Dynamite is the debut album by That Handsome Devil, released in 2008. It was recorded at Cybersound Studios in Boston, Massachusetts. The songs featured on the album are darker in tone and content than those on the band's debut EP, with some dealing explicitly with drug addiction and death. The album includes numerous samples of the 1967 educational video "Narcotics: Pit of Despair". The cover art and illustrations in the album booklet were done by Neil "Women 158" Parkinson.

Wikipedia

Rating

2.9

Votes

72

Genres

  • Rock
  • Jazz
  • Hip Hop

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Reviews

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Mar 31 2024
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3

I can see how someone could love this. It put me in mind of some of Tom Waits - that gritty burlesque - or Reverend Horton Heat (but without the frenetic rockabilly speed). It did not quite land for me, but I think that's a matter of personal taste. Certainly unique and not boring.

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Mar 31 2024
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4

Delightfully weird and groovy. No track overstays its welcome.

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Mar 31 2024
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2

Sometimes it sounded to me like one modern Screamin' Jay Hawkins. A peculiar record from a band I had heard of, but never actively listened to (until now). I know if I dedicated them enough time I would learn to love these songs. Damn modern times with such little disperse time for everything

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May 06 2024
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2

It is certainly eccentric. It reminded me of Tom Waits at points. I do not think I would revisit this album, but it was interesting.

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Apr 06 2024
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1

This thinks it's way cooler than it is. It isn't hard to imagine the frontman posting vaguely sociopathic things on Facebook about how his lifelong unemployment is actually a sacrifice he's made to bless everyone with *art*. "No, I didn't pay taxes; I just did all this for you for free". Oh thanks man! As appreciation, here's my 1/5.

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Mar 31 2024
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4

Really strong choice, stuff similar to it, but still holds a unique place

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Apr 02 2024
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4

Just short of sui generis, the music is kind to itself by getting better and even providing a sort of conclusion for itself. Even if the cop-out feels as worthless as throwing a clumsy pin, the sensation of listening is of one of the deeply ambiguous zones of the continent, which may simply be one of its arbitrary places.

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Apr 11 2024
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4

Pretty cool. Reminds me just a little bit of an artist I love called Spottiswoode and His Enemies. Vocals are different but similar style. If you like this then I recommend you check out Spottiswoode. 4 stars.

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Jul 09 2024
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4

Wasn't certain what I was expecting but very much enjoyed this. 4.3

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Aug 31 2024
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4

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Damn door, Rob the prez-o-dent, Wintergreen, Pills for everything

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Mar 31 2024
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3

Very... Interesting. Sometimes I got the feeling the vocals didn't match the music. But it ain't a bad album

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Apr 17 2024
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3

Nice sound. Quite entertaining and new for me.

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Apr 21 2024
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3

Rockabilly with some cool hip-hop vibes from time to time. Worth a listen because The Cramps and Stray Cats are my only other references!

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Jul 16 2024
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3

Occupies a sonic space somewhere in between a knock-off Mr. Bungle and Fun Lovin' Criminals-adjacent irrelevance.

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Jul 16 2024
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3

I liked the darkly idiosyncratic vibe of this album. But while this has all the pieces of something that I would enjoy, they don't quite fit. Fave Songs: Treefood, Wintergreen, Squares, Damn Door, Cry

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Apr 28 2024
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2

Frustrating LP – some creative, fun, and insanely layered instrumentals going on that deserve a fitting vocal line, but instead, get Tom Waits 2.0 for over 50 minutes. I have never understood why people enjoy this style of singing (it gets right on my nerves and just plain irritates me) and I was disappointed that such great instrumentals had to sit beneath it. All a matter of taste I suppose, but I for one think we should leave Tom Waits and his questionable vocals in the past where he belongs.

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Jul 31 2024
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2

This was an interesting listen. This fusion of genres feels pretty typical for the time. There’s a mix of blues, jazz, Eastern European rhythms, and darker tinged rockabilly. It feels a bit too much like Tom Waits cosplay more than anything.

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Apr 23 2024
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1

For me, this is right there in the arty-farty corner with Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. Acts I both don't care for very much. That Handsome Devil actually do a good job of sounding like a 'wannabe' Zappa/Beefheart. Annoying.

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