Here’s a koan for you: what is the sound a hungry ghost makes when possessing a garage blues duo?
That ghost sounds a lot like The End Men. There’s nothing zen about this Brooklyn-based duo.
And unlike most Brooklyn-based duos, The End Men make me proud that Brooklyn is a borough of New York City.
The words “howling fury” come to mind. Liva Ranalli is a whirling dervish at the kit, competing with Matthew Hendershot’s guttural growl and aggressive guitar hooks. The Black Keys and the White Stripes wish they could be this cool. Highlights include the hook-laden “The Ballad of Billy Polk” and the mournful album closer, “Stack Chips.” Though at times veering into the psychedelic, the End Men are channeling the ghosts of the Delta past. If you’re looking for something edgy, look no further. The End Men have the medicine you need.