V/A--Swedish Rock & Roll Dammit
Game Two 2003
In recent times, there has been an influx of Swedish bands who've saved the corpse of stoner rock by taking its groove and merging it with the death n' roll of Entombed to create a fresh sound. This double 7" set, Swedish Rock & Roll Dammit, gives you a taste of four somewhat minded bands from that country. However, each of these bands have enough of an individual face that a blanket description could never cover all of what's going on here.
Generous Maria kick off disc one with their track "Devil's Brood." Propelled by a barrage of cowbell thunks and epic feeling movements, it prepares the listener for all the treats to come. The Mushroom River Band fill the B-side of this first slab with "Sincerely Yours," a song which succinctly demonstrates why these guys are the kings of the death n' groove hybrid. Simultaneously melodic and agressive, you'll be hard pressed to get this style any better than it is here.
The second platter starts with the best and standout cut of this entire collection, Rise and Shine's "Man's Best Friend." More an exercise in R&B tinged hard psych than anything else, with soulful female vox cultivating the feel of Ike-era Tina, this song provides a nice change of pace from the other bands without sticking out like a sore thumb. Space Probe Taurus close out this set in grand style on "Buzz Amp." Balancing the line between death groove and the punk n' roll of fellow countrymen Gluecifer and the Hellacopters, this track comes off as the rock n' roll consciousness of Swedish Rock & Roll Dammit.
This pair of 7"ers reveals a hopeful new future for the depleted soil of downtuned groove. Let's just hope this new take doesn't get poseured up like the glut of Fu Manchu and Kyuss imitators did to stoner rock. For the here and now, it sure is nice being able to enjoy this style without reservation for the first time in a great long while. Dig in and devour Swedish Rock & Roll Dammit.
Score this 7" directly from GAME TWO
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