Hudson Valley–based duo AM Gold, the project of Aaron Magram and drummer Dana Fasano, delivers a wide-ranging rock enthrallment on their latest album, Bongs Not Bombs. Recorded solely by the pair, the album moves seamlessly from heavy hard-rocking riffing to lush, twangy introspection, fusing ’70s–inspired hard rock, prog flourishes, and rollicking pop-rock hooks.
The album’s title track is a showcase in tonally dynamic momentum — traversing from a minimalist assortment of crawling, subdued bass and sporadic percussion into a rousing blast of menacing guitar distortion. There, a delectably ominous hard-rocking feverishness takes hold, complemented quickly thereafter by a fierce title-bearing refrain. The thrashing rhythms and heady guitar work then arrive at a brief pause, giving way to an intense final minute with whirring guitar layers and sturdy vocals — showing enjoyable shades of Black Sabbath in its stylish ascent.
The ensuing “Yr Kind” embraces a lusher, twangy introspection — fusing starry-eyed organs and hazy guitars amidst lyrical themes critical of the religious right and bringers of hate/division in general. A bustling energy emerges past the intro, where jangling guitars and brisk vocals bring forth a spirited, replay-inducing rock allure. Harmonious, wordless vocals bolster the mix with enamoring qualities around mid-point and again later, venturing thereafter into a gorgeous outro that brings back the initial twangy guitar and forlorn organ feeling. “Noose” follows in continuing the album’s very strong start, presenting a moody build-up into the soaring vocal, delighting especially during the title-referencing sequence — which leads into delectably jumpy guitars and another harmoniously layered vocal entry.
Bongs Not Bombs doesn’t let up in its quality songcraft. “How Does It Feel (From a Sexual Automaton)” stands out especially with its ’80s nostalgia, fusing synths and chugging guitars amidst an ascending vocal hookiness, resembling a cross between The Cars and later-era ELO. ZZ Top tribute “(Suckin’ On) Billy G’s Beard” shifts back into the rollicking rock realm, lyrically fixated on that particular beard as the guitars alternate from climactic rumbling into fervent bursts. Elsewhere, “Ad Nauseum” succeeds with a more approachably melodic rock crispness, enticing repeat listens in its organs/guitar interplay and ooh-ooh vocal punctuations.
A particularly strong and distortion-embracing one-two punch closes the album, with the sweltering rock heaviness of “Bombs Not Bongs” playing as a hard-rock fever dream. Album finale “Eggs” struts a biting ferocity in its lyrical indifference and “I don’t wanna hear you anymore” growling peppiness, referencing a one-way ticket to hell as triumphant guitar tones flash into the “don’t care about division” venom. Across both serenely melodic charmers and heavy-rocking foreboding, Bongs Not Bombs is a stirring success of an album from AM Gold.
