THE LOUDER STUFF
FLOGGING MOLLY – Anthems
The world’s second best Celtic-punk band is back and, just like the world’s best Celtic-punk band, nowadays they increasingly sound like The Pogues. That’s a good thing, by the way. (8)
THE HU – Rumble Of Thunder
Me – What’s the name of the band playing now?
My mate – Hu.
Me – The name of the band.
My mate – Hu.
Me – The band playing now.
My mate – Hu is playing now.
Me – That’s what I asked you, who is playing now!
My mate – That’s what I said!
Me – You said who?
My mate – I sure did.
Me – So tell me the name!
My mate – Hu.
Me – The name of the band.
My mate – Hu.
Me – The band playing now!
My mate – Hu!
Me – For fuck’s sake, are you a mongol or something?
My mate – No, but they are.
Me – Who?
My mate – Yes.
Me – What do you mean Yes are mongols, they are the greatest prog band of all time! But I’m not talking about Yes, I’m talking about THIS band playing now, the metal one with the weird instruments.
My mate – Hu.
Me – Fuck it, I give up.
(7)
KING’S X – Three Sides Of One
An impressive return to form for the Beatles-infused progressive hard rock trio, especially given the 14-year hiatus and serious health problems of all members – of course they can never top “Out Of The Silent Planet”/“Gretchen Goes To Nebraska”, but then again no one can. (8)
MACHINE HEAD – Of Kingdom And Crown
I’m torn between this guy’s annoying opportunism and his ability to write a mean fucking metal song when he wants to. In any case, this is probably his best album since “The Blackening”. (8)
OZZY OSBOURNE – Patient Number 9
Tons of guests (Iommi, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Zakk Wylde, Josh Homme…), and a welcome “Bark At The Moon”/“The Ultimate Sin” pop-metal vibe on most tracks. (7)
THE OTHER STUFF
THE AFGHAN WHIGS – How Do You Burn?
Their best post-reunion album, “How Do You Burn?” is a dark, energetic, eclectic piece of work that firmly establishes the Whigs within the top tier of 90’s college rock survivors. (8)
EZRA FURMAN – All Of Us Flames
The trans Bruce Springsteen is back with a new album that proves she really is The Boss. (8)
TOMMY McLAIN – I Ran Down Every Dream
Legendary swamp-pop musician from Louisiana is 82 and hasn’t released an album in 40 years, but guests like Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Ivan Neville, and Van Dyke Parks are helping out on this one and it’s fantastic. (8)
MUSE – Will Of The People
A hodgepodge of Gary Glitter glam, Queen pomp, metal shredding, and disco beats, extremely populist but quite fun. (7)
DANIEL ROMANO'S OUTFIT – La Luna
Canadian Americana/indie cult hero goes full-on Townshend and creates epic rock opera. Miraculously, he pulls it off. (8)
