Review
Hangman’s Hymnal
Small News Travels Fast in a Bad Town

Snappy Little Numbers (2020) T

Hangman’s Hymnal – Small News Travels Fast in a Bad Town cover artwork
Hangman’s Hymnal – Small News Travels Fast in a Bad Town — Snappy Little Numbers, 2020

Hangman’s Hymnal is a nice addition to the Snappy Little Numbers roster and every bit as archaic as the title suggests. With a Wild West vibe pervading the songs, they manage to evoke mental images of them holding court in a saloon to perform their seasoned murder folk to a bunch of buzzed delinquents as part of a debaucherous hootenanny soiree.

In other words, Hangman’s Hymnal LP delivers the audio version of an informal loose party-esque gathering where sinister folk tunes are busted out with gusto.

Incorporating an eclectic variety of musical influences and mixing things up with e.g. a cappella and jazzy parts, Hangman’s Hymnal drive their old-timey sound with infectious beats and infuse it with enough dramatic ups and downs to convince one that it must be a hoot to have a dram of whisky while being serenaded by them in a live environment.

6.8 / 10T • July 27, 2021

Hangman’s Hymnal – Small News Travels Fast in a Bad Town cover artwork
Hangman’s Hymnal – Small News Travels Fast in a Bad Town — Snappy Little Numbers, 2020

Recently-posted album reviews

Dream Fatigue

No Requiem
Daze (2026)

There’s a particular tension that makes alternative rock compelling. I love the emotional push and pull between softness and eruption. On No Requiem, Massachusetts outfit Dream Fatigue thrive in that space, crafting a seven song EP that balances dreamlike melody with bursts of distortion and emotional urgency. Born from the creative partnership between drummer Matt Wood and vocalist Jonali McFadden, … Read more

The Went Wrongs

This Isn't What I Ordered
Transcendental Revolution (2026)

I'm not sure what's happening to me in middle age. I used to find samples clever and a nice change-of-pace technique on albums. But lately I feel like they interrupt instead of compliment what I'm hearing. This Isn't What I Ordered starts off really strong with fast, melodic and personalized punk over the first few songs. Then the sound clips … Read more

Spillings

Spillings
The Garotte (2026)

Spillings is a minimalist reconfiguration undertaken by two artists whose careers have been about genre deconstruction. The paths of Mathieu Ball and Liam Andrews have been running on parallel tracks, but both have been aiming for a similar endpoint. That is to strip down the heavy, experimental rock form, while at the same time retaining its destabilizing core. With Big … Read more