BBQ is either a rock and roll novelty act –he’s a one-man band – or he’s the 21st century version of Hasil Adkins. Maybe he can be both if he ever writes a songs as far out as “No More Hot Dogs.” Mark Sultan (Les Sexarenos) is BBQ trying to be the “best one-man band since Wilbert Harrison (and no, we’re not forgetting the Legendary Stardust Cowboy…)” according to the PR sheet that came with Tie Your Noose. The music is raw, just guitar and drums for a garage psycho-billy shakedown. It’s all done live with not a multi-track in sight. Does BBQ really fire up the coals with this format?
He’s not too hot or cold on this disc, preferring to tread lukewarm water over the course of 12 songs. “C’mon And Love Me” begins with some promising ‘50’s rock and roll delivered with a soulful bare wires croon. “Outta My Mind” heads straight for the garage with some door slamming style stomping, but Tie Your Noose quickly nosedives and develops a serious lack of sustainable excitability. I can picture some disgruntled kids seeing BBQ performing “Shake Real Low” and grumbling that the hop could only afford one dude. The cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Out Of Time” is pointless and horrible. BBQ should stick to the ‘50’s flavor. He might just look fetching in a poodle skirt. There are some flashes of punk rock on “Hang It Up” and the ever durable Bo Diddley beat makes an appearance on the slap echo heavy “Record Machine.”
BBQ is definitely an oddity in today’s technologically obsessed world and he gets a star for that, but quality is the ultimate barometer and he’s got no one to blame but himself for the inferior product. But with stronger material and some practice, BBQ might deliver a whole album of great songs. Hope that Bomp puts out a 45 or CD single because the whole album is just not worth it.
This review was spotted hanging out with all of those bad kids at Soulfish Stew.
BBQ was also reviewed by bmarkey for Blogcritics.org. You can find that review HERE.
Article comments
1 - earl
stick with wackin' it in front of the computer jr. saying this album has "a serious lack of sustainable excitability" is a statement best left for your reviewing skills. The King Khan and BBQ Show album, on which several of the songs became fuller, fleshed out versions shows what an amazing song writer Mark Sultan is. This album bursts with energy and soul.