The Electric Mud – Burn the Ships
The Electric Mud – Burn the Ships
Self-Released
Release Date: 23/08/2019
Running Time: 38:00
Review by: Alun Jones
8/10
Let’s get the important stuff covered off first. For any of you who thought this band were something to do with that lot from the Seventies who sang ‘Tiger Feet’, you’re wrong. The Electric Mud have very little in common with their Glam Rock similar-namesakes. Of course, a professional such as myself would never make a mistake like that.
The Electric Mud hail from Fort Myers, Florida – and specialise in making a steaming hot gumbo of stoner rock and dense, swampy blues.
“Burn the Ships” is The Electric Mud’s second album. Through the course of seven songs, the listener travels from the sweltering everglades through time and space – as vintage sounds melt with modern.
Opening track ‘Call The Judge’ oozes an irresistible Southern rock ’n’ roll groove, starting proceedings with a triumphant swagger. Grab a beer and a whiskey chaser, you know it’s going to be a lively night in the Roadhouse.
The Electric Mud show their stoner credentials on tracks like ‘Priestess’, which melds inventive riffs with pace and dynamics. ‘Good Monster’ weaves funky, head bobbing grooves and ‘Reptile’ lunges out of the depths, attacking like a gator whose mother’s been made into a pair of shoes.
There’s some stunning musicianship on display here; the guitars of Constantine Grim and Pete Kolter are crunchy yet nimble when required. Tommy Scott’s bass rumbles and glides perfectly. Pierson Whicker’s drums can smash and bang yet can be refined when necessary. Kolter’s voice, smoky yet soulful, is an addictive asset in itself.
Songs range from rocking brawlers to heartfelt blues with awesome proficiency. ‘Black Wool’ and ‘Terrestrial Birds’ showcase these slower moments really well, allowing the music to breathe and worm its way under your skin.
The variety of sound – together with the confident delivery and clever song writing – is what makes “Burn the Ships” engaging and successful. In the best tradition of stoner rock, The Electric Mud can combine old and new, fast and smooth, dirty and graceful. Their Southern charm, marinated in the blues, give this band their unique identity.
Although it feels maybe one song too short, “Burn the Ships” is full of character and demands repeat listens.
By the way, I used to see quite a bit of Mud – and lots of other glam rock bands – in the early seventies. Mud used to take a paddling pool everywhere with them, to do some backstage mud wrestling. Hence the name, you see? Though it never worked! Not once did they persuade lovely dance troupe Pan’s People to get involved, or Suzi Quattro. It usually just ended with the band in the mud bath, drunk on Babycham and fighting with Slade.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Call The Judge
02. Priestess
03. Good Monster
04. Reptile
05. Black Wool
06. Stone Hands
07. Terrestrial Birds
LINKS:
http://theelectricmud.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheElectricMud/
Tweets by ElectricMudFLA
https://www.instagram.com/theelectricmud/
https://theelectricmud1.bandcamp.com/album/burn-the-ships
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBs_Uu6yNKF1jFHI4rDSm_A
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Alun Jones and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
