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Molly Hanmer and the Midnight Tokers’ latest single “Sick of Me” is the first salvo from their fiery upcoming release entitled Get Loose. It’s the second studio platter from the four piece and the single kicks off with an invigorating classic musical attack built around two guitars, bass, and drums. The robust production values evident from the first note help listeners stick with it; Sheldon Gomberg, a holdover from the band’s first album 2018’s Stuck in a Daydream, knows how to present Hanmer and the band in the best possible light. Despite Hanmer’s California upbringing, however, there isn’t a lot of obvious sunshine in “Sick of Me”.
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There’s plenty of loneliness and rage, however, and more than enough to go around. Hanmer’s angry at the world, tired of herself, and brings those emotions into vivid focus with a vocal that engages every word. Her voice does possess a nasal tone during the song that may turn off some listeners; one of Hanmer’s formative and continuing influences, Bob Dylan, never let that stop him. I enjoyed Hanmer’s voice at every turn throughout this track but it is, without question, an acquired taste.
Mickey Madden’s lead guitar pitches in a jagged solo and his playing alongside rhythm guitar Hanmer is never boring. I’m always impressed with talented players who can create the impression of a song about to run off the rails at any time, yet it never does. This quality gives the track a flying by the seat of its pants feeling many listeners will love. Hanmer’s rhythm guitar works with giving the song the bedrock it requires and both bassist Alan Hampton and drummer Keith Palmer lock in and never waver.
The influence of a punk aesthetic on the track is noticeable throughout. Hanmer seems to take her vocal cues from the great Stooges front man and solo artist Iggy Pop and its two minute twenty two seconds running time is straight out of the genre’s playbook. Hanmer and the Midnight Tokers never overstay their welcome and manage to pack a tremendous amount into a brief track.
It never bludgeons you into submission. I believe Hanmer feels passionate about this song, there’s isn’t a single line that sounds unconvincing. She has a heartfelt message to deliver, however, and taking an artless approach would undercut her and the band’s goals. “Sick of Me” has enough to satisfy any rock and roll devotee and even features several unexpected lines that illustrates the songwriting intelligence behind this track.
It’s difficult for me to believe they could have chosen a better song to serve as a single. If there is equal or better, then Get Loose is set to make waves bigger than they’ve ever known. The song holds your attention from the start and “speaks” to listeners’ on their level rather than indulging even a nano-second of pretense. This is straight 100 proof rock music, no chaser, and Molly Hanmer and the Midnight Tokers sound every bit as believable in this role as they did on their debut.
by Bethany Page
