Monster Jams: My Diligence - Sun Rose (Released 1/30/2019)

Monster Jams: My Diligence - Sun Rose (Released 1/30/2019)

Terrible name, gnarly Belgian band.  Some might bill this as stoner rock or some variety of progressive rock, but I'm not really sure where it fits.  I don't particularly care either--I'm not too keen on this whole label craze with what seems like a zillion different little niches where sub-genres of music are concerned.  In this case, I'm totally cool with filing My Diligence under rock and taking it from there.  These guys are aggressive, with driving riffs, a steady beat, and some serious cohesion keeping the sound exquisitely forceful and equally tight.  The vocals, however, are subdued if not lethargic by comparison, though the melodies are sweet and the grooves pair nicely with the band's emphasis on momentum.  The precision involved is ruthless, and even those who don't favor the sound should be able to acknowledge the talent involved in crafting this music.  The contrast on display yields a surprisingly smooth output that never veers off course while blancing catchy harmonies against a potent dose of adrenaline.  Maybe it's a weird marriage; it doesn't matter, what matters is that it works.  Standout tracks include "Resentful,""Backstabber," and "Lecter's Song."  I'm not sure that anything included in this release is truly explosive, but there are no misfires.  Sun Rose is a thirty-eight minute foray into a hypnotic sound that will not necessarily blow your mind, but it will take you to some unique places, and it will leave you wanting more.

Final Grade: B+

Monster Jams: Clutch - Book of Bad Decisions (released 9/7/2018)

Monster Jams: Clutch - Book of Bad Decisions (released 9/7/2018)

Clutch has released a new album, the latest advance in their quest to transition into a rock and blues band with some jazz influences popping up in the mix as well.  There are still moments when they display the fire and gusto that made them a force to be reckoned with in their wild and woolly days, but the band has clearly embraced restraint and nuance to go along with advanced musicality at this stage of their evolution.  This may or may not be a bad thing; the album definitely rocks, and even if there are boundaries in place and less ferocity than old school fans may yearn for, your average rock fan is more apt to enjoy Book of Bad Decisions from start to finish.  For many, this new approach may be preferable--if your opinion of the band has been rising since they started taking fewer risks and toning down their intensity (say somewhere between the release of Robot Hive/Exodus in 2005 and From Beale St. to Oblivion in 2007), you may rate this among the band's best offerings.  If, on the other hand, you greet each release from these former stoner rock titans with some measure of hope that the guns blazing glory of Elephant Riders will rise from the ashes, you're bound to be disappointed.  I fall somewhere between these two categories.  I enjoy the new flavor, and I can't dispute the fact that this is a quality album (though it must be stated that it offers more material but less punch than their 2015 album, Psychic Warfare), but I wouldn't dare put it up there with releases like the previously-mentioned Elephant Riders, Blast  Tyrant, or Transnational Speedway League.  Is the band more precise?  Absolutely.  Are they still doing it their own way and making raucous noise?  Certainly.  Does it compare to that era when they offered up wild exploration and deftly intertwined metal, funk, and something akin to rage in the first half of their discography?  Man, I don't think it's even close.  Still, Book of Bad Decisions is a tight collection with several killer grooves, and Neil is still spitting about absurd shit even if he has mellowed out a bit.  "Hot Bottom Feeder" and the title track even flirt with the notion of serving as throwbacks to the band's furious past.  Other standout tracks include "Gimme the Keys," "In Walks Barbarella," and "H.B. is in Control."

Final Grade: B-

Short Attention Span Review: This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Surprisingly, This is Spinal Tap merely enjoyed modest success during its theatrical run before landing a cult following on home video.  Over time, it has become an iconic parody and the make believe band of the title has actually sold a lot of records and played a lot of shows.  The film hasn't lost its power to amuse thanks to all the keen wit on display, and the music industry has only grown more and more absurd, so the picture remains timely.  Rob Reiner's actual direction of this mockumentary and his performance as director Marty DiBergi are both rock solid, but the leads (Michael McKeen as lead singer David St. Hubbins, Christopher Guest as guitarist Nigel Tufnel, and Harry Shearer as bassist Derek Smalls) are so superb that I have to give them the lion's share of the credit for the movie's success.  All three are capable musicians and they are beyond perfect choices for the film--it's an adequate tribute to their efforts that this ridiculous comedy led to genuine confusion among many fans as to whether or not Spinal Tap was a real band.  This is Spinal Tap is so awesome that it is damn near impossible to pick the funniest part.  Is it the amp that goes to 11?  Is it Derek getting trapped in his pod?  Is it the Stonehenge set?  Is it being billed second to the puppets?  What about the woeful legacy of the band's drummers?  I'm sure that every fan has a favorite part, mine just might be that perspective-laden trip to Graceland, though I'm also rather fond of the big show at the military base.  In fact, there are so many amusing sequences that This is Spinal Tap never seems to fall flat, and even the few bits that don't work are often saved by one of the brilliant performances.  I'm a fan of silly comedies and rock and roll, so my affection for this one should come as no surprise.  Still, I think it is fair to say that That This is Spinal Tap's greatness extends well beyond any niche or niches--it's not just a good comedy, it's a remarkable comedy.

Final Grade: 11 (A+)

This is Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever, and it is
a must-see for anyone who enjoys a good laugh or rock and roll.