Jim Jones and the Righteous Mind - Super Natural
Jim Jones has been making riotous garage rock since 1987, first with Thee Hypnotics, latterly with The Jim Jones Revue. Following The Revue’s split Jones is back with The Righteous Mind. On this debut album, the garage credentials are still – thankfully – in place. The music is rooted in classic rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and the Nuggets compilation with a hefty injection of punk energy and Motorhead heaviness. There’s more than a hint here of Grinderman, if only Grinderman had actually had some songs. Jones himself has a righteous (sorry) bellow, equal parts unhinged rocker and deranged Southern revivalist preacher. Guitarist Mal Troon lays down some heavy riffs and blazing solos. Matt Millership takes a starring role on Base Is Loaded with some glorious boogie-woogie piano. Throughout, drummer Phil Martini and bassman Gavin Jay lay down a hefty but swinging rhythm. Songs like Dream and No Fill teeter on the edge brilliance. It is not all great, though. A couple of songs - like Boil Yer Blood - drag things down by being little more than a riff and gang-chant. Whatever, this is a thoroughly enjoyable debut from a band that will surely be bloody awesome live.
8/10
