The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's wild blues on critical albums like Orange and Now I Got Worry defined the band as belonging in a league of its own.
The electronica mold of 1998's Acme album was sophisticatedly different, but the grit found in the band's previous work was nearly absent.
The band might have known it as well -- a change in direction was due.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's eighth record, Plastic Fang, doesn't overlook anything this time, for the album exudes a new power.
Spencer and his mates sought the expertise and slick work of musician/producer Steve Jordan, who brought brashness back to the front.
"Sweet n Sour" flourishes with a huge guitar blast, and Spencer's tangy vocal howl has never sounded better.
"She Said" is comprised of typical swagger, but it's the Rolling Stones-like romp of "Mean Heart" that's truly killer.
(It's Spencer's best take on a ballad too.) "Down in the Beast" has an explosive wail, and the chug-chug-chugga rawk of "Money Rock 'n' Roll" rollicks even harder.
As a songwriter, Spencer is impressive, and the Blues Explosion's collaboration with Dr.
John and Bernie Worrell on the seductive, bluesy, and brooding "Hold On" suggests that Plastic Fang isn't exactly focused on one particular sound.
With Jordan's assistance, Plastic Fang sounds live and abrasive, infectious and undeniable.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweet n SourThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 03:15 | 7 MB | 0 MB |
| 2 | She SaidThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:17 | 9 MB | 0 MB |
| 3 | Money Rock 'n' RollThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 03:01 | 6 MB | 0 MB |
| 4 | Killer WolfThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:34 | 10 MB | 0 MB |
| 5 | The Midnight CreepThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 03:47 | 8 MB | 0 MB |
| 6 | Hold OnThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Bob Spencer | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:54 | 11 MB | 0 MB |
| 7 | Down in the BeastThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:26 | 10 MB | 0 MB |
| 8 | Shakin' Rock 'n' Roll TonightThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 02:52 | 6 MB | 0 MB |
| 9 | Over and OverThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 03:50 | 8 MB | 0 MB |
| 10 | Mother NatureThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:30 | 10 MB | 0 MB |
| 11 | Mean HeartThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:26 | 10 MB | 0 MB |
| 12 | Point of ViewThe Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Play | 04:28 | 10 MB | 0 MB |
| 48 mins | 110 MB | |||||
| 0 mins | 0 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judah Bauer | Clapping, Guitar, Vocals (Background) |
| 2 | Greg Calbi | Mastering |
| 3 | Tim Conklin | Assistant, Mixing |
| 4 | Doug Conroy | Assistant, Assistant Engineer |
| 5 | Dr. John | Guest Artist, Guitar |
| 6 | Steve Fallone | Assistant, Assistant Mastering Engineer |
| 7 | Steve Jordan | Bass, Clapping, Drums, Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Producer, Vocals (Background) |
| 8 | Martin Pradler | Assistant Engineer, Digital Editing |
| 9 | Russell Simins | Drums, Percussion |
| 10 | Art Smith | Drum Technician, Guitar Technician |
| 11 | Don Smith | Engineer, Mixing |
| 12 | Elliott Smith | Guest Artist |
| 13 | Bob Spencer | Composer |
| 14 | The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion | Clapping, Composer, Guitar, Piano, Primary Artist, Stylophone, Theremin, Vocals |
| 15 | Chris Testa | Assistant, Assistant Engineer |
| 16 | Pat Thrall | Engineer |
| 17 | Willie Weeks | Clapping |
| 18 | Bernie Worrell | Farfisa Organ, Guest Artist, Moog Bass, Organ |
| 19 | Minduru Yokro | Technical Assistance |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |