Black Lips' latest record, Sing in a World That's Falling Apart, is an interesting turn into more alternative country sounds, but it is unlikely to attract many people outside of their current fan base.
The record is a solid effort at a punk-country sound, recalling figures like the Reverend Horton Heat in its faster moments. The first track, "Hooker Jon," makes it seem like this will be a tongue-in-cheek take on country tropes, but it is ultimately played relatively straight. The issue is that Sing In A World That's Falling Apart doesn't do much with this sound, cycling through a handful of blues riffs and basic rhythms. Modern touches tend to fall flat — there's a particularly grating 808 on "Georgia."
Still, Black Lips have put together a fairly tight country record; "Gentleman" is a peak, with its horn amplified chorus. If you're a big fan of the band, or if you have been feeling nostalgic for the Reverend, check it out.
(Fire)The record is a solid effort at a punk-country sound, recalling figures like the Reverend Horton Heat in its faster moments. The first track, "Hooker Jon," makes it seem like this will be a tongue-in-cheek take on country tropes, but it is ultimately played relatively straight. The issue is that Sing In A World That's Falling Apart doesn't do much with this sound, cycling through a handful of blues riffs and basic rhythms. Modern touches tend to fall flat — there's a particularly grating 808 on "Georgia."
Still, Black Lips have put together a fairly tight country record; "Gentleman" is a peak, with its horn amplified chorus. If you're a big fan of the band, or if you have been feeling nostalgic for the Reverend, check it out.