Now, it’s not in my nature to quote press sheets or bios because they rarely contain anything helpful, but I’m gonna make an exception here for The Atomic Bitchwax’s fifth full-length album, The Local Fuzz, because the following sticking point is so strong and succinct, and sums up this effort in such a way that’s just about impossible to ignore: “a single, glorious 42-minute song that contains no less than 50 riffs back-to-back.” Now, I didn’t actually count all the riffs, but these New Jersey cosmic rockers ain’t ever lied to me before, and besides, the song is pretty damn glorious, so do yourself a favour and put away the abacus, let your ponytail out, and lose yourself in your musty, well-worn couch. TAB aren’t the first to write a one-song album, and probably won’t be the last, but it takes a certain amount of stamina to spend the better part of an hour rollin’ through a spacey jam, and you’ve got to have a hell of a lot of faith in your listeners not to get up from that couch to get a snack and never come back. That shouldn’t be a problem here, though, because they’ve been doing the former for years now, usually in much smaller doses, and the relentless attack of The Local Fuzz’s prog-laced groove will hold your attention like a flaming meteor shower (even when it slows down for a brief moment just over the halfway mark). You know, I thought TAB floated a little off track with 2009′s 4, but The Local Fuzz puts everything right again, no doubt about it, and that includes the naked fem-bot on the cover, who recalls the hot-bodied, big-tittied familiarity of covers past (I, II, 3, and the Spit Blood EP).
Check out a nine minute slice of “The Local Fuzz” from The Local Fuzz!
With its mock Heavy Metal cover and crotch-tingling, Southern-dipped riffs, Supagroup’s Hail! Hail! is supa-fine testament to rock n’ roll’s ballsy, shirtless glory; not that we haven’t come to expect anything less from the Brothers Lee (Chris on vocals/guitar, Benji on guitar), who have consistently bitten off exactly what they knew they could chew when it comes to delivering AC/DC-inspired party anthems that’ll carry you from blackout Fridays through to NASCAR Sundays. If you’re looking for any kind of deviations from the norm for the New Orleans band here, there’s a bit of an Asian flare (in title and lyrics only) thanks to the bittersweet instrumental “Along the Yangtze” and the bluesy “Dear Hong Kong,” Danko Jones makes a guest appearance on “That’s Enough Boys,” and “The Bold are Doomed to Die” contains hints of Black Sabbath’s evil ways, but when all is said and done, Hail! Hail! sticks to its naked ambition and sleazy, formulaic guns like David Lee Roth sticks to crazy. Perfectly preachy, supa-catchy, and a good fucking time — just like always. And just the way we like it.
We’re gonna try something a little different. I’ve been watching a bunch of movies lately, but haven’t found the time to write about them individually. So, instead of giving them the usual treatment, I’m gonna go ahead and shove ‘em all into this one post, lighting round style. The reviews will be much shorter and won’t provide as much plot detail, but will provide the same toothsome repartee, so I’m hoping they work all the same. Who knows, maybe I’ll really like doing it this way. Anyway, bring on the bad fun!
Mother
A Korean film from the same dude responsible for The Host about an eccentric and neurotic mother of a mentally challenged boy who she believes has been framed for murder. A young school girl has been killed and all evidence points toward the kid, so the police pick him up and the case is closed. The mother, however, is adamant about her son’s innocence and sets out to prove it. Hye-ja Kim (as the mother) is really awesome, and aside from being a suspenseful whodunit, it’s also pretty damn funny, which is a difficult combo to pull off. Recommended, but only if you can handle over two hours of sub-titles.
The Atomic Bitchwax
Supagroup
Mother