I was fortunate enough to have lived in Chicago in the early 90’s, when acts like Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair were putting sonic variety and higher production values on the grunge assault coming out of Seattle. Â When I first listened to the latest album from Chicago native Heather Horton, Don’t Mess With Mrs. Murphy, it was like I picked back up on that excitement from 25 years ago.
Perhaps better known for her collaboration with husband Michael McDermott in The Westies, Horton is a force in her own right. Â The songs on the new album frequently take on the persona of the underdog in the story, who nonetheless has their own strength of character. Â Add to those tales a driving guitar, sometimes soaring and other times almost repressive, and you have a record that sounds great whether listening privately in your headphones or turned up to where the neighbors are banging on the walls.
Twangville is proud to premiere Boomerang, one of the first songs from Don’t Mess With Mrs. Murphy. Â With its lo-fi guitar and Horton’s sweet lyrics, this one invites long-term inclusion on your playlist.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.