Brian Jonestown Massacre
My Bloody Underground
(A records)
release: April 15, 2008
style: experimental neo-psych
[rating: ***] By now, we should learn to expect the threshold of psychedelic insanity from Brian Jonestown. Tracks on My Bloody Underground--on yet another new label for the band--are not without welcomingly bitter and critical titles such as "Bring Me the Head of Paul McCartney on Heather Mill's Wooden Peg" and "Automatic Faggot for the People." As usual, BJM fulfills its psycho-delic quota. This, however, has to be the most acid-tripping, nonstructured, absolutely mindboggling record Anton and co have produced, miles away from Going to Hell or Methodrone. Vocals are almost nonexistent, buried in drone. "Just Like Kicking Jesus" has echoes of Loveless, a few tracks are redundant jams, while other pieces that could have been done by the experimental Liars are so out there that it challenges psychedelic rock itself. Bloody Underground will have fans of previous BJM outings divided, with some appreciating the unrestrained boundaries and others finding it entirely inaccessible. It is undoubtly an unusual record, one which may be better judged with time. -Kenyon