Infrequently does a work of art or a performance embody the true culculmination
of a career, life of experience, or body of work. LAGWAGON’s
latest offering Hang achieves just that. While most veteran bands coast
into the finish line echoing a familiar cadence, hemmed in by the parameters of the sound they’ve defined, LAGWAGON are just now realizing
their full potential and picking up speed at the end of the race. As a band
that has been heavily influential on modern punk, LAGWAGON’s existing resume is beyond reproach, yet Hang outshines all past exploits by utilizing every bit of their hard-earned
experience, musicianship, and song writing savvy. Musically it’s a concoction of Hoss, Trashed, and Blaze, seasoned
with Duh’s metallic overtones and Let’s Talk About Feelings’ strong sense of melody, and finished off with
a progressive character as yet unseen on any previous release. Lyrically it’s a stunningly substantive commentary
on the modern world, written through the lens of a lifetime of visceral experience. Hang is the perfect
balance of music and meaning; massive riffs playing off of unforgettable hooks and classic melody, all bound by
a stirring tone and message. Casual and dedicated LAGWAGON fans will be blown away by what Hang accomplishes,
but it transcends merely appealing to existing devotees. Hang will be reflected on as a quintessential
and genre-defining opus.
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