Hank & Cupcakes with me last December at a concert in Hartford.
Yesterday, Hank & Cupcakes’ debut album, “Naked,” which first started surfacing via their website and other sources last year, has made its official debut on iTunes, finally bringing a strong set of songs full circle. (I’ve written about them extensively, including about a concert from December and their April release of the “Ain’t No Love” music video.)
The album released this week is the same as what we had previously, so it’d be easy for hardcore fans to be disappointed. But Hank & Cupcakes rarely fail to superserve their fans, and this time is no exception.
For those of us who already own “Naked,” another release quietly found its way to iTunes as well yesterday: “The B Sides,” which include tracks that they’ve played live over the years. Finally, their version of “Like a G6” can be purchased, and in a recording-studio quality version at that! While there are a couple of songs from their songbook I’m still waiting for, this brings us closer. And while the “B Sides” are largely marginal tracks compared to the superlative songs selected for “Naked” (“Jimmy” is H&C at their most repetitive, which I generally find to be a weakness for them), the songs are as lovingly produced and sound as great as the “Naked” album, meaning hardcore fans will likely find a lot to like here.
If you haven’t heeded the advice to acquire “Naked” yet, it’s gotten a lot easier; be sure to check it out. Meanwhile, the duo are touring this summer, which includes a stop in New Haven in September.