The Butthole Surfers - Humpty Dumpty LSD (Latino Buggerveil)
At one
time, I counted the Surfers among my favorite bands. Then
they released 'Electric Larryland'. As mediocre an album as that
was, 'Weird Revolution' was even worse.
Thankfully, the material on 'Humpty Dumpty LSD' comes from the group's
early days as the kings of twisted acid rock, especially the years
1985-1987 when the band did their best work. As one might expect from
a collection of outtakes, B-sides, and compilation tracks spanning a
fairly wide range of years this album is uneven. Still, it's nice
to hear Paul Leary's wild guitar work and Gibby Haynes' insane rants
again. Here's hoping their next all new release finds them moving
back in this direction. (Bob Ignizio)
The Mooney Suzuki - Electric Sweat (Gammon Records)
If nothing else,
the Mooney Suzuki know how to replicate the sound of late sixties/early
seventies rock. At times this sound like a lost MC5 or Grand
Funk album. And
I guess that's the problem with it. While the songs are decent, they always feel like a pastiche. The
attempts at soul feel hollow, like they get the sound but not where it comes
from. Some decent songs, but there are other bands (like the
(International) Noise Conspiracy, for instance) who do this sort of thing
better AND manage to put some freshness into the mix, as well .
(BI)
No Use For a Name - Hard Rock Bottom (Fat Wreck Chords)
What is this shit,
the soundtrack for 'American Pie 3'? Seriously, if this is the state
of punk rock today, somebody put it out of its misery. Everything is bouncy and bright and utterly forgettable. I'm far
from being the biggest Blink 182 fan in the world, but at least they can
write memorable songs. I'm not the kind of guy that relishes writing
bad reviews, but sometimes you just can't help it. This sucks. (BI)
Orange Goblin - Coup De Grace (The Music Cartel)
Orange Goblin are one of
the few stoner rock bands to come along in the wake of Monster Magnet, Kyuss,
and Fu Manchu and really stand out. Their first album is an absolute
classic in my book, and there's enough killer riffs on that one disc to fill
a whole career for some bands. On this, their fourth release, the Goblin seem to be looking for a new
direction. Opener "Your World Will Hate This" shows a strong punk
influence, but it's only a so-so track. The majority of the
album has more of a straight ahead rock feel to it, with a detour into southern
rock territory on "Born With Big Hands" and a cover of the Misfits "We Bite" that sounds so
close to the original that I have to say, "why bother?" For the most part, the new style is alright. However, it's the two
tracks most reminiscent of their original sound ("Stinkin' O Gin" and a
"secret" bonus track) that I liked the most. (BI)
At one
time, I counted the Surfers among my favorite bands. Then
they released 'Electric Larryland'. As mediocre an album as that
was, 'Weird Revolution' was even worse.
Thankfully, the material on 'Humpty Dumpty LSD' comes from the group's
early days as the kings of twisted acid rock, especially the years
1985-1987 when the band did their best work. As one might expect from
a collection of outtakes, B-sides, and compilation tracks spanning a
fairly wide range of years this album is uneven. Still, it's nice
to hear Paul Leary's wild guitar work and Gibby Haynes' insane rants
again. Here's hoping their next all new release finds them moving
back in this direction. (Bob Ignizio)
f nothing else,
the Mooney Suzuki know how to replicate the sound of late sixties/early
seventies rock. At times this sound like a lost MC5 or Grand
Funk album. And
I guess that's the problem with it. While the songs are decent, they always feel like a pastiche. The
attempts at soul feel hollow, like they get the sound but not where it comes
from. Some decent songs, but there are other bands (like the
(International) Noise Conspiracy, for instance) who do this sort of thing
better AND manage to put some freshness into the mix, as well .
(BI)
What is this shit,
the soundtrack for 'American Pie 3'? Seriously, if this is the state
of punk rock today, somebody put it out of its misery. Everything is bouncy and bright and utterly forgettable. I'm far
from being the biggest Blink 182 fan in the world, but at least they can
write memorable songs. I'm not the kind of guy that relishes writing
bad reviews, but sometimes you just can't help it. This sucks. (BI)
Orange Goblin are one of
the few stoner rock bands to come along in the wake of Monster Magnet, Kyuss,
and Fu Manchu and really stand out. Their first album is an absolute
classic in my book, and there's enough killer riffs on that one disc to fill
a whole career for some bands. On this, their fourth release, the Goblin seem to be looking for a new
direction. Opener "Your World Will Hate This" shows a strong punk
influence, but it's only a so-so track. The majority of the
album has more of a straight ahead rock feel to it, with a detour into southern
rock territory on "Born With Big Hands" and a cover of the Misfits "We Bite" that sounds so
close to the original that I have to say, "why bother?" For the most part, the new style is alright. However, it's the two
tracks most reminiscent of their original sound ("Stinkin' O Gin" and a
"secret" bonus track) that I liked the most. (BI)