Immortal Lee County Killers--Love Is A Charm Of Powerful Trouble
Estrus 2003
The Quadrajets were one of the best bands rock n' roll had going for itself--an even greater force of nature onstage than on record. Unfortunately, that incredible outfit is no more. The good news is that axeman El Cheetah and skin pounder J.R.R. Token have carried on in two piece form as the Immortal Lee County Killers. Love Is A Charm Of Powerful Trouble is their most recent album and it certainly continues their long running streak of excellence.
An entirely different beast than the Quadrajets, the Immortal Lee County Killers tread entirely on the side of complete blues annihilation. Similar acts include Bob Log III, Doo Rag, and the Bassholes. The thing that separates the Immortal Lee County Killers from other like-minded groups is their ability to get dynamic when need be. Love Is A Charm Of Powerful Trouble has just as many subdued momets as it does distorted freak outs.
Of those two sides to the Immortal Lee County Killers sound, their original material tends to lean more toward the fuzzed out and slide blasted end of the spectrum, the opening "Robert Johnson" being the standout of that pack. Still, the Killers prove they can slow things down and open the vibe up a bit on "Truth Through Sound." A mopey plodding-tempoed take on RL Burnside's "Goin' Down South" proves very worthy, while their arrangement of the traditional blues standard "Rollin' and Tumblin'" cultivates a feel not unlike Extra Width-era Blues Explosion. This mix of solid originals and well chosen covers makes Love Is A Charm Of Powerful Trouble a real winner.
There are very few bands able to do blues destruction right and the Immortal Lee County Killers are near the top of that class. Fans of this style or any of the previously mentioned bands would be well served to give Love Is A Charm Of Powerful Trouble a spin. These guys haven't produced a disappointment yet and that didn't change this time out.
Score this CD directly from ESTRUS
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