Emanuel Casablanca’s billing says he’s an “outlaw-bluesman.” Whether he’s an outlaw or not, he certainly has a knack for aggressive blues-rock. (Note to self: resist the temptation to include a reference to the movie Casablanca.}
The Brooklyn-based Casablanca is a painter, actor, and singer-songwriter who released his debut album, Blood on My Hands, in August 2022. His debut acting gig, in which he aptly plays a blues musician trying to revive a flailing career in Mookie & Worm, can be seen when the movie releases later this year.
With Strung Out on Thrills, Casablanca has assembled a selection of mostly-aggressive, edgy (at times, a little over the edge: “pussy kills,” “got all kinds a ass,” or “smooth little lass” – but I’m chalking those outdated references to women up to Casablanca’s self-deprecatory, confessional style) songs that tell personal stories. The aggressive opening, “Dogshit,” with its gritty accompaniment by the incomparable Joanna Connor, sets the tone (there’s a “clean” version at the end, which isn’t worth the trouble.) After “Dogshit,” some of the better songs include the title track, the more lyrical “The Farm” (which you can listen to below), the Spanish-y “Pistolero,” “Bastard” and “Pearl.”
Oh, hell, here it comes: Play it again, Emanuel.
About the author: Bill Wilcox is a roots music enthusiast recently relocated from the Washington, DC area to Philadelphia, PA and back again.