History
That Handsome Devil is a band hailing from Brooklyn, New York. The group features Christian Oppel (also known as Godforbid), Jeremy Page, Naoko Takamoto, Jeremy Siegel, Sam Merrick, and Deflon Sallahr. They released their debut EP, Dating Tips / How To Get Money, in 2004 on Art & Craft. Their latest album, Exploitopia, was released in October 2024.
A City Dressed in Dynamite
A City Dressed in Dynamite, the soundtrack to a neighborhood where literary figures like Charles Bukowski and Hunter S. Thompson might feel at home, is a journey into a world of raw energy and dark humor. Frontman Godforbid leads the listener through this landscape, with producer Jeremy Page providing a distinctive musical backdrop, including arrangements on a heavily used piano.
Album Highlights
The album opens with the intense lounge track "Damn Door," setting the stage for the piercing "Wintergreen." "Rob the Prez-O-Dent" stands out with its unique arrangements and provocative subject matter. The pace shifts with "Pills for Everything," a strutting track that precedes the upbeat "Cry." The collection then dives into the eerie narrative of "Kiss the Cook," featuring Jeremy Page's notable arrangements.
The B-side begins with the whimsical vaudeville-inspired "Viva Discordia," showcasing Godforbid's rhythmic and lyrical skills. This transitions into the quirky pop song "Squares," a commentary on modern hipster culture. "Mexico" offers a brighter exploration of foreign settings, enhanced by Jeremy Page's string arrangements. The album builds towards its conclusion with the moody "Reagan's Kids," leading into the bohemian ballad "Treefood," an emotional finale that caps off the album's vibrant and eclectic experience.
