The Chrome Cranks “Love In Exile” 1996. PCP records. Chrome Cranks third and final studio LP. Dirty punk blues and a “deconstructive bastardization of garage rock,” the Cranks feature founding members Peter Aaron on vocals and guitar and William Weber on guitar as well as former Honeymoon Killers bassist Jerry Teel and Bob Bert, formerly of Sonic Youth and Pussy Galore, on drums.

Love in Exile is lo-fi and sleazy, sort of the sound you hear while in the nasty bathroom of the local dive bar at 1:30 a.m. (granted, it is a very hip dive bar). “Lost Time Blues” is a perfect example of this vibe: churning rhythm, shrieked and strained vocals with an undercurrent of real danger. “See That My Grave is Kept Clean” is a cover of one of Blind Lemon Jefferson’s tunes, recorded in 1927 on Paramount. The Cranks version is dirgey, a Cramps-esque creepy lament, traditional blues deconstructed and then rolled through an ashtray or two.

Well, there’s one kind of favor I’ll ask of you
Well, there’s one kind of favor I’ll ask of you
There’s just one kind of favor I’ll ask of you
You can see that my grave is kept clean

And there’s two white horses following me
And there’s two white horses following me
I got two white horses following me
Waiting on my burying ground

Did you ever hear that coffin’ sound
Have you ever heard that coffin’ sound
Did you ever hear that coffin’ sound
Means another poor boy is under ground

Did you ever hear them church bells tone
Have you ever hear’d them church bells tone
Did you ever hear them church bells tone
Means another poor boy is dead and gone

Well, my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold
And, my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold
Well, my heart stopped beating and my hands turned cold
Now I believe what the bible told

There’s just one last favor I’ll ask of you
And there’s one last favor I’ll ask of you
There’s just one last favor I’ll ask of you
See that my grave is kept clean