The King Khan & BBQ Show--s/t
Goner   2005

In the wake of a rise in two man band activity over the course of the last several years, a degree of trepidation and suspicion in the face of such a release is not uncommon. Check all those misgivings at the door when it comes to the King Khan & BBQ Show, though. Far from the contrived same ole, same ole plaguing ears these days, this pair makes classic music primed for the here and now. Full, bold, and possessing incredible depth, there's something very magical running through these grooves.

The most immediate thing that strikes you about the
King Khan & BBQ Show is their deeply rooted sound. These guys have obviously been overdosing on Buddy Holly and Back From The Grave, then filtered those influences through all the best aspects of the garage/punk/rock n' roll from the past twenty years. The resulting listen is a strangely modern feeling throwback. This seeming contradiction of terms carries over into the album's fantastic production quality, as well--sculpted raw as hell, yet hits your ears like a bell. An amazing stylistic achievement.

Of course, all these fantastic traits would be for naught without great songs.
The King Khan & BBQ Show ultimately proves itself to be flawless, in this regard. The platter opening "Waddlin' Around" and "Love You So" see the dynamic duo at their Cricket-phonic best, each tune accentuated by very well-executed background vocals. "Hold Me Tight" leaves you wading through a swamp of goo goo muck, the most Cramped of this collection, while "Bimbo's Theme" transports you to the thirteenth floor with its subtle Roky overtones. Then, there's "Out Of My Mind" and the album ruling "Lil' Girl In The Woods," sure to be heralded as the genre's crown jewels of this period thirty years down the line. As the closing "Mind, Body, & Soul" morphs from tough, laid-back cool into a hypnotizing snake charmer, you realize you've just consumed a work without a single chink in its armor.

Anyone expecting this record to be a novelty, based on preconceptions of what two man bands are capable of, can set such foolish notions to rest. The
King Khan & BBQ Show are about the realest deal going today, making timeless music in an age where everything is more disposable than ever before. If you've wandered, feeling lost in that sea of soulless plasticity, this is the horse to hitch your wagon to. It's enough to restore a good measure of hope that all is not lost. Bravo.


                        
Score this CD directly from GONER

                                                                                   
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