Ahead of the March 1 release of Dear Bongo,, Fredericton’s avant-rock trio Motherhood has dropped the album’s third single, “Costanza.” The band’s own rendition of the Cramps’ remake of Charlie Feathers’s track “Can’t Hardly Stand It,” “Costanza” takes a heavier turn on the rockabilly classic.
Motherhood does, however, give a fresh take on the track. The song’s length is nearly double that of the original, and the lyrics are all original save for the refrain, “Well you do not know, babe, I love you so.”
“Costanza” also keeps the original echoey feel of “Can’t Hardly Stand It,” but the vocals are more raw, and the guitar more distorted. And above that, the track moves further away from rockabilly and even psychobilly towards a heavier, dronier sound that is best described as simply (or weirdly?) Motherhood.
For the first two minutes, the track takes us on a spiralling trip into madness. The repetitive riff and vocals that sound as if they are coming from a place of anguish evoke a sense of spinning out of control.
This concept fits nicely with the track’s placement halfway into Dear Bongo,, which tells the tale of a distressed painter who turns to alcohol and his own work for solace after a breakup. “Costanza” depicts the thick of the artist’s plummet into lunacy.
For the remaining 2 minutes and 38 seconds, the vocals stop and the riff changes pace, gradually winding down and pulling the listener out of that spiralling sense of insanity. It drones on and acts as an ambient soundtrack to coming to terms with one’s own hysteria.
Motherhood keeps true to their quirk even when basing their song around an existing classic. “Costanza” is raw and emotive, and it may just push you out of your comfort zone, but so did the mania to the painter.
Tour Dates:
03.01.19 – Fredericton, NB @ Charlotte Street Arts Centre
03.02.19 – Moncton, NB @ Le Caveau
03.08-09.19 – New York, NY @ New Colossus Festival
03.11.19 – Saratoga Springs, NY @ Desperate Annie’s
03.15.19 – Omaha, NE @ The Down Under
03.17.19 – Denver, CO @ Lion’s Lair
03.21-23.19 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Festival
03.24.19 – Portland, OR @ The Firkin’ Tavern
03.25.19 – Eugene, OR @ Wandering Goat
03.26.19 – Portland, OR @ Waypost
03.27.19 – Seattle, WA @ Central Saloon
03.28.19 – Vancouver, BC @ Red Gate
03.30.19 – Moscow, ID @ Humble Burger
04.01.19 – Bozeman, MT @ Labor Temple
04.04.19 – Dubuque, IO @ Blu Room
04.05.19 – Kenosha, WI @ Public Craft Brewing
04.06.19 – London, ON @ B13 The Bakers Dozen
04.07.19 – Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
04.08.19 – Hazel Park/Detroit, MI @ Coin House
04.10.19 – Toronto, ON @ Monarch
04.11.19 – Guelph, ON @ Kazoo! Fest
04.12.19 – Hamilton, ON @ Mills Hardware
05.09-10.19 – Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape