The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is a punk-blues trio comprised by singer-guitarist Jon Spencer, second guitarist Judah Bauer and drummer Russell Simins. "Acme" was their 6th album in 7 years and saw new elements introduced in their sound: Next to funk and garage rock, they now embraced hip hop and electronica. To spice-up their sound, they employed many guests and remixers and amassed enough material to fill two albums, called "Acme" and "Acme Plus", released one year apart and containing alternate mixes from the same sessions. Partly recorded live in Steve Albini's studio and partly reworked and remixed beyond recognition, both are a bit hodge-podge. They have nevertheless many high points, opener "Wait A Minute" being one of them, with its trademark Elvis-meets-James Brown vocals, dirty Stonesy guitar & ghostly theremin. Moby guests on bass, percussion and the mixing desk. "Get Down Lover" is a noisy garage piece with soul horns and "Confused", "Not Yet" and "Leave Me Alone So I Can Rock Again" wired funk. "Magical Colours (31 Flavours)" is a psychedelic soul ballad, probably the softest and most melodic track JSBX ever wrote. Its single counterpart made the Top-100 in the UK. "Get Old" and "T.A.T.B. (For The Saints And Sinners Remix)" remind me of Moby's electronica/blues experimentations. "Bacon" sports Blaxploitation strings, loud guitars and more theremin. "Blue Green Olga (Rmx)" is the most electronic song here, but something in the vocal and organ curiously reminds me of the Doors. "Heavy" combines hip hop with Barry White soul and "Lap Dance" gives them the chance to cooperate with horny 60's legend Andre Williams. "Right Place, Wrong Time" is the one that started it all, a killer cover of the Dr. John classic recorded for the "Scream 2" soundtrack. The remix included here has some rapping that doesn't add to the original, but at least doesn't ruin it either. "Electricity" is the punkiest song (think MC5 meet The Clash) and "New Year" and "Chowder" recall The White Stripes' mix of hard rock, blues and garage - Just don't forget: JSBX were there first! "Hell" is manic rockabilly and "I Wanna Make It Alright (Zebra Ranch)" is the closest JSBX get to justify their Blues prefix. The CD closes with a hilarious ad for the "Acme" album. According to it "Judah Bauer plays his guitar with such fiery passion that it makes grown men weep, Russell Simins has grown women showering him with panties and condoms, and Jon Spencer was voted sexiest man alive three years in a row by Gentleman’s Quarterly". Well, I don't know about that but you can quote me on this: Jon Spencer hasn't failed me yet. He makes great records, has a hot wife and he's a really confident and enjoyable live performer. If he comes your way, don't miss him!
**** for Wait A Minute, Magical Colors (31 Flavors), Blue Green Olga (Remix), Right Place Wrong Time
*** for Get Down Lover, Confused, Not Yet, Bacon, Heavy (Remix), Leave Me Alone So I Can Rock Again, Electricity, New Year, Chowder, T.A.T.B. (For The Saints And Sinners Remix), Hell, I Wanna Make It All Right (Zebra Ranch), Ad for "Acme"
** for Get Old, Lap Dance, Soul Trance
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