Blu Collar Glomeration: “Deadman’s Hill” – spirited lyrics and upbeat music
Formerly a performer at the Harrisburg, PA Doshi Gallery Dinner Theater in the mid-eighties, lyricist David M. Lujanac has released albums of eclectic music on the Eidol e-music label. Renowned and explosive rockers Blu Collar Glomeration have embellished Lujanac’s lyrics and his poetry has captured the imagination of musicians around the globe. As a columnist, his works have appeared frequently in the Pennsylvania Beacon, a weekly newspaper prominent during that era. When you think of Blu Collar Glomeration, imagine a few stoner-friends being locked in a recording studio for a few weeks with whatever instrument they want, and all the ideas they can muster together.
Most of Blu Collar Glomeration releases are packed full of absurdity, and enough variety to make a circus blush, but behind all the spirited lyrics and upbeat music, often lays messages of enormous political and social relevance. What is so unique about Blu Collar is that you never know what lies ahead, which makes for an interesting listen, and guessing game. Once they’re rocking, then they’re being funky, and now they’re going country on the single, “Deadman’s Hill”, with a nice dose of rock loaded into the track too.
To my humble self, Blu Collar Glomeration is one of the must under-appreciated bands in the underground music scene. Why, because they are silly? Possibly. But it takes time to understand where this collective is coming from, and what they are trying to do with their music. Or what they aren’t trying to do with their music. They make charming, funny, and sometimes even downright honest music. Hell, they even make a quite fine country–rock track here with “Deadman’s Hill”.
On this track, Blu Collar Glomeration takes their craft and actually put it into a rather conventional sounding country-rock song, with just enough melody and a pinch of what sounds like marijuana-induced lyrical madness. And just to smack you in the face, the track kicks off with some beautiful and crunchy over-driven guitar riffs.
No doubt Blu Collar Glomeration is either a band you love or hate. If you love them, it’s probably because you dig (or tolerate) their ability to blend serious topics with nonsensical (only apparently) lyrics and low-brow humor with the ability to tackle a wide range of genres using their exceptional skills in playing their instruments and developing some of the catchiest hooks outside of pop. If you hate them, it’s probably because you’ve got a problem with a pineapple stuck up your ass, while you’re trying to replace the worn out batteries for your hearing aid!
When determining what constitutes as a great record, many qualifications arise. The track should keep the listener’s interest, it should come off as somewhat original, it should contain decent instrumentation and vocals, and most importantly, it should at least be somewhat accessible. “Deadman’s Hill” abundantly showcases these qualifications, albeit in an atypical way.
