Head Automatica is a Britpop and hip-hop inspired project fronted by Daryl Palumbo, better known as frontman of post-hardcore legends Glassjaw. The project began in earnest when Palumbo was introduced to Dan “The Automator” Nakamura (Gorillaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School) by mutual friends. Decadence combines Palumbo’s alt-rock ferocity with Nakamura’s beatmaking expertise, resulting in a thorough cross-section of the sound of early 2ks pop music. Released in late summer of 2004, Decadence is a charmingly trashy technicolor romp that can’t help but aim for the fences with every verse, chorus, and breakdown. “Beating Heart Baby” was unavoidable at the proto-indie-discos of the time, straightforward pop-punk vocals over organ dirge, punched-up drums, and a jagged guitar and cowbell breakdown. “Please Please Please (Young Hollywood)” is Patrick Nagel sleaze with white-tuxedo-poolside-nagel earworm of a chorus. “King Caesar” could either be about the old-school Toho kaiju or the ruler of Ancient Rome, starting off with suitably retro touch-tone bloops. “Head Automatica Soundsystem” is tongue-in-cheek funk licks with fiercely spit verses. “Brooklyn Is Burning” starts with a dusty break and epic brass riffs, dance-punk sneer and double-timed buzzsaw guitar. This the first wide release of this album on LP, with a 2011 exclusive version selling for over $100 on the secondary market. This pressing is on transparent purple with black smoke colored vinyl and includes a 12x12 insert with full lyrics and credits.

• transparent purple with black smoke vinyl pressing
• includes 12x12 printed insert
• limited edition
• also available: Head Automatica: Popaganda (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP
• music label: Headphone Records 2019

reviewed by DUPREE SISTERS 09/2019