Brian Jonestown Massacre - My Bloody Underground [CD]

a Records/Cargo Records

June 9, 2008, 01:03 AM

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This album starts with the catchy, and brilliantly named, ‘Bring Me the Head of Paul McCartney on Heather Mills’ Wooden Peg (dropping bombs on the White House). [note the album was partly recorded in Liverpool]. The lyrics are fantastic, e.g. while it’s fucking your girlfriend and it’s flying in space, and it’s putting you to shame as it spits in your face.’ Full of characteristically non-radio friendly songs, in length and title (and sometimes content), My Bloody Underground delivers BJM’s signature sound (made partly by a plethora of instruments which are unusual or unfashionable in ‘western’ music. The sound is folk-meets-East with a twist of 1970’s psychedelia.

What is certain is that here is a band which does not like to be categorised and indeed it is difficult to do so. This stands them in good stead as they truly offer something unique in an age where even music that is supposedly ‘out there’ or ‘fresh’ follows certain industry rules. BJM play by their own rules which is to put creativity before profit; the songs individually would be difficult to market.

Not afraid to be controversial, but always being so in an intelligent manner, it is a pleasant surprise (and somewhat humorous) that ‘We Are the Niggers of the World’ is a heartfelt piano instrumental with a melody that sounds like it would fit on the soundtrack of a French period drama.

There is good contrast between tracks whilst all the time it is apparent to whom you are listening. ‘Just Like Kicking Jesus’ is one of the strongest tracks combining a solid beat and angelic vocals and melody with… well, noise - although I mean that in a purely good sense. It’s strangely haunting and yet satisfying.

‘Ljosmyndir’ exceeds this track in the haunting factor. Looped spoken word (in Icelandic, I hazard to guess, as the album was partly recording in Reykjavik) runs over simple keyboard sounds - and if you listen carefully, your hear how to correctly pronounce the title. Another strong track is ‘Darkwave Driver/Big Drill Car’ which begins with news sound bites but is otherwise an instrumental. At 8 minutes long, it is the perfect song to immerse oneself in.

Overall, a very good album offering something different but something consistently strong. The standout songs in my opinion are ‘Bring Me the Head of…’ and ‘Just Like Kicking Jesus.’ I strongly recommend ‘My Bloody Underground’ for those who don’t require their music to follow the norm.

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