New Album: We Used to Cut the Grass, Sophomore Album

The longstanding freak jazz outfit, We Used to Cut the Grass, released their second full-length album on Friday July 18th, and held a release show at the Asbury Lanes with Justice Cow (Providence RI) and Art Thief (NYC) the following night. We Used to Cut the Grass is a shapeshifting instrumental ensemble led by composer/bassist Cody McCorry, most frequently appearing as a 10-piece band known for heavy brass and two tightly synchronized drum kits, but has also appeared in configurations as diverse as the music itself: a more textural 6-piece ensemble meant for live scoring, an unhinged 5- piece brass band, and sometimes just an agile, dynamic keyboard trio. Regardless of the configuration, Grass is always performing new and provocative original music with McCorry at the helm. Heavily inspired by Frank Zappa and containing several members of Thank You Scientist, the band has firm roots in progressive rock but has since stretched further into jazz fusion, post-rock and experimental endeavors, reaching from orchestral/chamber works to absurdist sound collage.

The group’s sophomore album, “We Used to Cut the Grass #2,” is the follow-up to their 2022 similarly self-titled album. It has been described by math rock periodical Fecking Bahamas as “a much-needed joyride.” Opening with a full orchestra, immediately pivoting to large ensemble jazz fusion and just few tracks later debasing itself with a fake podcast advertisement and an inane vocal-driven rock song nonsensically praising a corporate chain restaurant, the record explores wildly different approaches in composition, from meticulously crafted arrangements to live in-studio band recordings, presenting “serious” music while never once taking itself very seriously. The album was recorded over the course of three years with Karmic Juggernaut bandleader and producer James McCaffrey at a shared DIY space called The Hangar, with the opening track having been recorded by the Sofia Session Orchestra in Sofia, Bulgaria and the two closing tracks by Steve Jankowski in Belmar, New Jersey at Jankland Studios.

“We Used to Cut the Grass #2” was released independently on vinyl, CD and streaming via their fake record label/post-apocalyptic radio station WKRM the Kream. It is available for purchase via the band’s own merch store weusedtocutthegrass.bigcartel.com, as well as through distributors thebandwagonusa.com and waysidemusic.com. Their first album can be purchased through the same outlets, as well as from Needlejuice Records. 

Stream We Used to Cut the Grass #2