My Bloody Underground

Brian Jonestown Massacre, the band started by and ruled with an iron fist by front man and song-writer Anton Newcombe, has had a relatively speaking low-profile couple of years. The previous studio album "And This is Our Music" dates from 2003 and other than some sporadic touring not much has been heard from BJM. Now comes the new album.

On "My Bloody Underground" (a too obvious reference perhaps to My Bloody Valentine/ Velvet Underground?) (13 tracks, 79 min.), Newcombe returns to the shoegazer sounds of the early albums, and to (mostly) good effect. Opener "Bring Me the Head of Paul McCartney on Heather Mills' Wooden Peg" (Newcombe will never run short of outrageous song titles that have nothing to do with the song as such) sets the tone, as if the 1960s psychedalia never stopped. The next track "Infinite Widom Tooth" is even better, with a hard driving beat. When an album runs 79 min., there are bound to be weaker (if not filler) tracks. There are several instrumental tracks that seem out of place, although the solo piano piece (another outrageously titled song, "We Are the N*ggers of the World" is quite remarkable. Other highlights for me include: "Who Cares Why" (with a wall-of-sound that goes on forever, 8+ min. in fact), "Golden Frost", and the 10+ min. ambient closer "Black Hole Symphony". Self-indulgent as ever, Newcombe pushes the envelope with this release. Would this album have been better had it been focused (and hence shorter than 79 min.)? Of course, but this is Anton Newcombe we're talking about. For real BJM fans, this is a most welcome addition to the Brian Jonestown Massacre catalog. Be aware: the CD comes with basically zero information, other than the song titles. For more information as to who actually played on the album etc., the CD refers you to a website link.

I had never seen Brian Jonestown Massacre in concert until I had the good fortune of seeing them at the Monolith Music Festival at the famous Red Rocks venue last September, and it was quite the event. Newcombe was his impossible self as usual, berating the crowd and band members alike (and making me think he'd call it off at any time--he did walk off the stage several times, only to return), but when the band played, it sounded magical.

This recording for me a is bumbling, shambling mess. I've loved this band's music for years and there was a magical time during the mid to late 90's where Anton Newcombe was in a zone and he created some incredible music. His prolificity was amazing, and so was his never sell out attitude. I have continued to see BJM play live frequently and while it's always been an adventure (often a train wreck, always with a magical moment or two), I have noticed his sense and musical sensibilities on the retreat. Still, I waited for the new album. Now that it's here, I am sorry to say that it doesn't stand up in any way shape or form to what BJM has created in the past. The band and it's frontman appear to be in a downward spiral that's bordering on total delerium.

I have had My Bloody Underground for many months now and up to about a week ago I had to force myself to listen to it.

Not that I didn't enjoy it, "Bring Me the Head...(blablabla I never liked Anton's penchant for odd named songs) is one of the BJM's best songs. So as you can probably tell Methodrone is right up there as one of my favorite BJM records.

It's just that as pointed out by other reviewers there are NO hooks here. One of the BJM's many talents is to write a very catchy guitar hook. Don't look for them here. My Bloody Underground is devoid of true rock&roll structure, verse, verse, chorus, guitar solo, chorus ain't here!

What IS here is a MIND TRIP! I wasn't sure what to expect with so much time between this recording and BJM's last release so I was holding My Bloody Underground at arm's length.

I have seen the band in concert every time they've been in Chicago over the past four years. So I've seen them what, five times? The band, and especially Anton, have been spot on EVERY time! The concerts range from perfect replica's of recorded songs to twenty minute plus psychedelic opus's. In other words My Bloody Underground live.

I'm getting off point, sorry. Back to why all of the sudden I finally just got My Bloody Underground. The answer is...honestly...I don't know. I threw it in as I said about a week ago, having to force myself to do so. And as the record segued from song to song I just about began to cry, the music moving me THAT MUCH!

So why write a review seriously lacking in constructive criticism? Just this...If you're a long time fan of the band and don't get it, maybe even hate it, GIVE THIS RECORD TIME! My Bloody Underground NEEDS to grow on you, it NEEDS to confuse you, tear you down and re-build you. BE PATIENT!

My Bloody Underground is a MASTERPIECE. And you will see, maybe not tonight, maybe not tomorrow, but I am sure you will eventually agree with me!

Enjoy.