Him Kerosene - Loser Outfit 7"

Telegram (1997)

There will never be enough words in the English language to express how much I love Him Kerosene.  They are one of the greatest bands to ever pick up instruments and the fact that they are not remembered as one of the best ever is a never ending source of frustration for me.  Their second full length album Start. Stop. is a masterpiece and is the absolute #1 record on my I-wish-they-would-press-this-on-vinyl list.  Sadly, I don't think that's like to happen anytime soon.  The demand probably just isn't there, despite the fact that it is one of the most incredible albums I have ever heard in my life.

That album's lack of vinyl brings us to this 7".  I've had the Loser Outfit CD single since the late 90s.  Two songs, both perfect.  It wasn't until very, very recently that I discovered it had also been released as a 7".  I stumbled across it on Discogs and added to my wants list.  A couple of weeks ago it popped up for $30.  Honestly, I'm not sure there is a price that it could have been listed at that would have stopped me from buying it immediately.

These songs are so damn good.  From a band at the height of their powers, "Loser Outfit" is a showcase for the insanely dynamic guitar work that is what sets Him Kerosene apart from every other band out there.  They fly from chord to chord, jumping from palm mutes to octaves to feedback in the space of seconds while still somehow manage to compliment the almost angelic and poppy vocals they accompany.  It's unbelievable to me.

B side "Raceday" is slightly more straightforward, but still is a rush of energy, hooks and insane guitar work.  Both songs are incredible as is pretty much everything the band ever did.  It is a crime they are not more well known and again, it's a shame they don't have more releases on vinyl.  I will tell you, if I ever win the lottery, the first thing I'm going to do is buy the rights to the Him Kerosene catalog and give everything the love and attention it deserves.

Him Kerosene - "Loser Outfit":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lidlAc_TGg