Back in the early 60s, there used to be what was then called “Garage Bands” like The Leaves or Standells. Lots of hard driving geats, fuzzy guitar and shouting out vocals. The team of Chris Desjardins/voc, Dave Alvin/g, Gill Bateman/dr, John Doe/b, DJ Bonebrake/mar-perc and Steve Berlin/sax capture that raw spirit here on a collection of hard hitting originals.
The inclusion of Bonebrake’s marimba cleverly adds an exotic mix to the fuel, giving light to the thick sounds and desultory vocals on pieces like “Black Temptation” and the fuzzy serpentine “Miss Muerte.” Frantic bass lines and new wave chords are met on “My Life to Live” and the shuffling “Cinderella,” with stark and dark tones cast on “Ghost Cave Lamen,” as Jesjardins sounds angst-driven the entire album. Maybe a cover of “Dirty Water” next time around?