Frighten up your summer afternoon with a ghastly good record from The Wicked, a gypsy-inspired gothic punk duo from Salem, Massachusetts. Their debut full-length album, “Never Trust the Dead,” out August 9th, shows the duo’s improved compositional maturity, expanding from the two-instrument elegies that defined their demo EP “In Front of My Eyes,” and blossoming into hard-boiled noir nuggets set to a two-step percussive feel. Emerging single “Elevator” forces dancing feet into motion with a happenin’ swing feel and modern punk squeal, while deliciously haunting vocal melodies twist and soar over the top like flying snakes. Do not miss this record, and keep an eye out for the locals on tour. – Dean Shakked
