Jon Spencer
Sick Of Being Sick!
Bronze Rat Records [2024]
Album Overview: Jon Spencer has been a prominent figure in the independent music scene since the mid-1980s. Known for his innovative approach, he has led notable bands such as Pussy Galore, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, and Heavy Trash. His projects span punk, blues, and experimental rock, solidifying his reputation as an influential musician. With an already extensive discography and years of global touring, Spencer continues to push boundaries in rock with his latest work, Sick Of Being Sick!. This new album finds Spencer collaborating with Kendall Wind and Macky “Spider” Bowman, both former members of The Bobby Lees. Taking a more back-to-basics approach, the album delivers a quick punch of garage punk, featuring eight songs packed into just 19 minutes. The music retains Spencer’s signature rebellion and fun, while confronting the artificiality of the modern world. Once again, Spencer’s mission is to rejuvenate rock and save it from stagnation—Sick Of Being Sick! certainly helps the cause.
Musical Style: The album blends garage punk with elements of rhythm and blues, utilizing a simplistic trio of guitar, bass, and drums. There’s a sense of urgency throughout, with quick, punchy songs driven by distorted guitars, abrasive rhythms, and Spencer’s booming, energetic vocals. His vocal delivery ranges from aggressive to melodic, layered over bold instrumentation that integrates subversive grooves and bluesy riffs.
Evolution of Sound: Sick Of Being Sick! fits seamlessly into Spencer’s earlier work with Pussy Galore and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. The inclusion of Wind and Bowman introduces a fresh, youthful dynamic, particularly in the rhythm section, which adds weight to the tracks. The album continues Spencer’s trajectory of pushing genre boundaries, fusing raw garage punk with modern textures.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of artists like Ty Segall, The Bobby Lees, and Jack White will find similar energy and genre-blurring creativity in Sick Of Being Sick!. These acts, much like Spencer, mix garage rock, punk, and experimental elements with a modern twist. The comparison highlights Spencer’s shared drive to keep rock unpredictable, aggressive, and innovative.
Pivotal Tracks: Key tracks include “Come Along,” which captures Spencer’s playful vocals, ranging from his unique low-tone delivery to bursts of wild energy. “Wrong” is a loud and raucous opener, showcasing the album’s punk energy with its forceful rhythm section and biting lyrics while “Get Away” is another track that just rips in the background as Spencer conducts his vocal business up front. “Fancy Pants” is a fun track, punctuated by its big-band-style call-outs of the song title. The closing track, “Disconnected,” is a firecracker under two minutes long, combining Spencer’s raw rhythm-and-blues vocal style with Wind and Bowman’s intense bass and drum contributions. It’s a killer finale that will remind listeners why Jon Spencer deserves a spot on their playlist.
Lyrical Strength: While the lyrics on this album may not be as deep as those from some of Spencer’s other projects, they are packed with commentary, personal introspection, vivid imagery, and biting wordplay. Spencer dissects cultural chaos with his trademark flair.
JON SPENCER REVIEW HISTORY
Spencer Gets It Lit (2022) / Spencer Sings The Hits (2018) / Freedom Tower (2015)
JON SPENCER LINKS
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Bronze Rat Records
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