You know the cheesy, bullshit lines that people stick on press sheets, CD stickers and banner ads They're almost always so horribly hyperbolic and masturbatory that they're tough to overlook. But for some reason, the ambitious, underpaid press release writer responsible for describing Lords as "what the Pixies would sound like playing Slayer songs" hit the nail on the head. It's ridiculous, far-fetched, and downright absurd. But it fits. And in keeping form with their first two releases, Lords' second full-length, a 23 minute whirlwind known as Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers, delivers exactly what many have come to love about the Kentucky act: frantic helpings of unbridled, noisy, and abrasive punk rock.
Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers isn't based on a foundation of fine-tuned musical compositions. Instead, the trio teeters on the brink of collapse, ripping through fifteen tracks that rarely crack 90 seconds a piece ("The Leginald of Reginald" is the disc's epic, at a whopping 2:19). Feedback, vicious drumming and frontman Chris Owens' manic vocal delivery of pure filth (the record's first true track sets the tone with "Robbed raped and beaten, lied to and cheated / In submission you reach down and grab your ankles / Like there's no way around getting fucked") comprise Lords' musical beliefs. And with arguably the most offensive album art outside of the predictable shock-value themes of the goregrind subculture, this album is quite an exemplary example of the intersection of loudness, vulgarity, and rock 'n roll.
Those that appreciated Swords and The House That Lords Built will have zero difficulty getting into this one. "Why I Don't Give a Fuck" excels due to Eric McManus' relentless drumming, the backbone for the track's (and many others') early punk and hardcore influence. In keeping with the Pixies-meets-Slayer tagline, songs like "Waist Deep in Shit" and "Cause All of You Are Fucked" sport great doses of early thrash-inspired riffing. And the energetic lead guitar work in the closing moments of "Man, Everything Sucks" quickly transforms an otherwise subdued track into a mini rock 'n roll anthem. These guys rarely stray from their frenzied songwriting style, but as was the case with previous Lords records, brevity is definitely a virtue that works out in their favor.
Despite all this praise, Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers does have an inherent drawback. While the disc is interspersed with some rather memorable moments, many of the tracks tend to run together, a direct result of such a frantic musical approach. But in the end, it might just mean that a few more spins are required for the album to really click with listeners. It's simply another solid release from Lords, and a great addition to the Black Market Activities roster.
Bottom Line: Lovers of feedback, profanity, and energetic punk rock will be into Lords' second full-length, Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers. Relentless chains of 90 second long outbursts might be difficult to digest and/or discern for some, but most with recognize this as a quality slab of gritty, envelope-pushing tunes. |
