This time we have got another load of discs; all those review discs that I listened to on my nine day honeymoon in sunny, or at least some of the time, Cancun. It ranges from pure blooded down-home blues to the electronic manifestations of Jesus and Mary Chain obsessed Poles. Let’s get at it shall we?
Blueganu: Running with the Herd
Tongue-firmly in cheek for most of this stuff but it just washes over you like a pleasant shower. It's blues-folky rock that just puts a smile on your face no matter how grumpy you might be. This lot even get a way with a twee entitled/lyrical "Sugar" with its infectious tune and cheery lyrics. There are odes to Memphis on here, "Take Me Back To Memphis," and the mountains, "Man of the Mountains," naturally.
This is not the music for racing down the motorway but a disc for when the weather outside is rubbish, you got a glass of jack in your hand, and you just want to listen to some aural fun. Imagine a less stoned Grateful Dead and a less pretentious Fish with a dash of ole’ school blues. And I would be shirking my duties if I did not say the playing on here is first rate.
Megadeth: United Abominations
Dave Mustaine is back with his all new Megadeth and what a difference it makes. While their last album was decent this is excellent in extremis. This is by far the best thing Mustaine has been associated with in over a decade, if not more ( I liked his Dan Huff produced output. It just wasn't Megadeth). The sober, mildly religious Mustaine, who seems to have used Alice Cooper as a template, is just as opinionated as ever while being far more focused. The title track is a screed against the UN that hits all the right buttons and makes all the right points. The spoken word parts are quite poignant as are his observations on jihadism on "Amerikistan."
There is a new version of "A Tout Le Monde" featuring Lacuna Coil’s lead siren Cristina Scabbia. He rants against the state of the world in all his norm. Mustaine even quotes 24’s hero Jack. If you thought Megadeth was a spent force in metal… think again. Metallica can only hope they produce anything this good with their next release. Has Mustaine had the last and best laugh?
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