The Teeth “Ball of the Dead Rat” (Best of the Decade)
“Ball of the Dead Rat” is one of those songs that just kills me every time I hear it. Written by the greatly under appreciated (and now defunct) band the Teeth, the song is a snarling mess that sounds like a more rambunctious take on the rollicking classic rock structure that their friends Dr. Dog have used to great success over the years. The lyrics are sharp and funny, the music is highly melodic and propulsive with an energy is impossible to avert. Their music mixes a shaky lo-fi feel with some great vocal harmonies that, when done correctly, leads to songs that are hard for me to resist. I was lucky enough to see the goofy, fanny pack-wearing band at the wonderfully dingy Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis before they broke up for what was a great show. With song like “Ball of the Dead Rat” under their belt, it is just too bad the band didn’t stick it out to see what might have been.
The Teeth were the second band I ever interviewed back in the summer of ’07. It’s really too bad they broke up.
What a shame. This tune fell between the cracks and ended up in my “Listen to this… soon!” folder. I didn’t listen to it until recently. What a hidden gem. What a shame they are no more. I am sure I could have convinced them to stick it out. They must have gone on to form other bands?