Larceny & Old Lace

Atlanta’s post-riot grrrl art-punk group the Coathangers haven’t lost their sense of outrage with their third album, 2011’s Larceny & Old Lace. They sing without regard to the repercussions to their throats and they play hard and nasty, full speed ahead. In addition, they also shade their attack with a modest nod towards pop. “Go Away” has a ‘60s AM radio flavor that recalls late-‘70s new wave. “Sicker” plays an angular post-punk that’s likely what the U.K.’s Gang of Four would sound like coming from American women. “Hurricane” is a hard chug with some vicious vocal power. “Jaybird” turns up the larynx shredding with a strikingly spare arrangement. “Johnny” jams with a New York No Wave approach. “My Baby” is the closest the group has come to an actual ballad while “Chicken: 30” is the nearest to straightforward punk rock. The Coathangers are a band that love confrontation and their aggressive stance make them one serious and vital punk group for the 21st century.