The Black Lips brand of Superman psyche-rock blows the mind once again with their Arabia Mountain release (Vice Records). It’s gotten to the point where these guys can just basically sit at the table and whip out a record on demand. I mean, who do they think they are??
Produced by the monolithic Mark Ronson, this epic LP meanders through sonic reaches that could honestly seem unimaginable for a group pumping out their 5th release. Ronson’s assistance ups the mic on bells and whistles that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, propelling this piece into the distinction it deserves.
When most bands make you wonder if they really have what it takes after their first couple releases, these kids just keep shoveling hits at you as if they really do love to rock.
How dare they??
The fans don’t seem to be bored either. A wily turnout arrived at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall this past Saturday. The seemingly disassociated menagerie of rock enthusiasts and skanking pickles gathered–crowd-surfing in a mass the likes of a flash-mob to a sweating frenzy as our Atlantean estrellitas nailed it down once again in the City by the Bay.
To get serious, Arabia Mountain is a bit more complicated than Black Lips’ previous releases, but this comes with a distinction of growth. It seems the boys have made steps toward the soft cement of staying power with this album. They have set a clear statement that they will be here for longer than a flash and will age well with their interpretation of awesome.
Catch the glory of Black Lips in your neck of the woods at the Bluebird Theatre in Denver June 19th. These remaining dates wrap up three months of constant touring, which included a stint in Europe.
