King Tuff

Be the first to write a review

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide
Laid-back garage popster King Tuff delivers a long-awaited follow-up to Was Dead with his self-titled Sub Pop debut. He was no slouch during the four years since that first official full-length, touring with soda shoppe punkers Hunx & his Punx (who share his snotty, nasal vocal stylings) and J. Mascis' stoner shredders Witch, as well as putting out a record with his own lo-fi indie pop band Happy Birthday and moving from his native Brattleboro, Vermont to Los Angeles. That change of scenery definitely made an impression on Tuff; his sophomore album is imbued with a sunnier sheen -- also thanks to producer Bobby Harlow (the Go, Conspiracy of Owls) -- and even more earworm hooks. King Tuff also stands out from Was ...
See more details below
CD
$12.29
BN.com price
(Save 12%)$13.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (CD)
  • All (13) from $10.17   
  • New (13) from $10.17   

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide
Laid-back garage popster King Tuff delivers a long-awaited follow-up to Was Dead with his self-titled Sub Pop debut. He was no slouch during the four years since that first official full-length, touring with soda shoppe punkers Hunx & his Punx (who share his snotty, nasal vocal stylings) and J. Mascis' stoner shredders Witch, as well as putting out a record with his own lo-fi indie pop band Happy Birthday and moving from his native Brattleboro, Vermont to Los Angeles. That change of scenery definitely made an impression on Tuff; his sophomore album is imbued with a sunnier sheen -- also thanks to producer Bobby Harlow (the Go, Conspiracy of Owls) -- and even more earworm hooks. King Tuff also stands out from Was Dead in its range, giving the feel of '50s rock & roll, '60s pop, and '70s glam. The aptly titled opener "Anthem" sets the stage, sonically and lyrically hitting closest to his earlier work with its low-budget guitar buzz and good vibin' lyrics, easing the transition into his refreshed sound. Tuff dances and chases girlies to the tune of midtempo boogie ("Keep On Movin'), channels his power pop side with a perfectly frenetic solo and shout-along chorus ("Bad Thing"), and struts into the night with the spirit of T. Rex ("Stranger"), but best of all, he also takes the time to put the swagger on the shelf to reveal a gentler, more vulnerable side. The cooing "Unusual World" approaches pastoral indie pop with its breezy guitar and xylophone flourishes as he sings about combatting outcast feelings by immersing himself in the title locale, while the nostalgic, piano-led ballad "Swamp of Love" serves as Tuff's take on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"-esque grandeur. Where Was Dead was an album for summer driving and hanging out, the intervening years, extra rays of sunshine, and willingness to take a risk on expanding his sound make King Tuff a fully realized summer record from the street to the beach to the campfire. ~ Chrysta Cherrie,
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 5/29/2012
  • Label: Sub Pop
  • UPC: 098787097627
  • Catalog Number: 70976
  • Sales rank: 15,658

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Anthem (3:30)
  2. 2 Alone & Stoned (3:10)
  3. 3 Keep On Movin' (3:09)
  4. 4 Unusual World (3:27)
  5. 5 Bad Thing (2:19)
  6. 6 Loser's Wall (4:25)
  7. 7 Stranger (2:55)
  8. 8 Baby Just Break (2:39)
  9. 9 Stupid Superstar (3:23)
  10. 10 Evergreen (2:52)
  11. 11 Swamp of Love (4:45)
  12. 12 Hit & Run (3:48)
Read More Show Less

Album Credits

Performance Credits
King Tuff Primary Artist, Guitar, Vocals
Kenny Tudrick Drums
Bobby Harlow Tambourine, Background Vocals
John Krautner Background Vocals
Ross Westerbur Piano
Magic Jake Bass
Technical Credits
Steven King Mastering
Jeff Kleinsmith Layout
Bobby Harlow Producer, Engineer
Adam Cox Engineer
King Tuff Composer, Artwork
Chris Weisman Composer
Ruth Garbus Composer
Luke Thomas Artwork
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously