published: 4 /
4 /
2009
Label:
Birdman Records
Format: CD
Perplexing, but convincing fourth album of blues punk which lives up to its title from Bob Log III
Review
Despite this being his fourth album, the identity of Bob Log III remains concealed behind the motorcycle helmet he never appears without. The music output of this one-man band is also perplexing.
'El Logo' matches strangely syncopated beats on a toy drum and a battered cymbal with the sort of slide guitar work that sounds like a personal attempt to reinvent the blues while high on crystal meth. Some songs have clearly at least heard of structure and contain what may be a madman’s idea of lyrics. Others are just the sonic doodlings of a demented blues-man.
His lyrics are almost entirely undecipherable, unless you are prepared to listen repeatedly with enough concentration to induce madness.
Of course this would be to miss the point entirely. Taken as a package – albeit a strange, jumpsuited, microphone-glued to motorcycle helmet, guitar molesting package – 'El Logo' is a riot. It may be impossible to explain how a man repeating ‘Bump, Pow’ over and over while channelling the spirit of a drunk Robert Johnson is a good song. But in Bob’s hands that behaviour actually does produce a good song.
Clearly confidence is not lacking in Log’s cabin, as there are songs here entitled ‘Goddam Sounds Good’ and ‘My Shit Is Perfect’. Fans of the dirtier end of the blues spectrum will agree wholeheartedly with the first of those statements. It is also hard to argue with the second assertion, mainly because it is impossible to work out what this ‘shit’ is. It is, though, good shit.
Track Listing:-
1
Goddam Sounds Good
2
Mr. Sis Boom Bah
3
It's the Law
4
Bump Pow!
5
Manipulate Your Figments
6
Bucktooth Potato
7
My Shit Is Prefect
8
You, or You and You, and Me
9
Bumper Car
10
Bang Your Thing at the Ball
11
Shake a Little, Wiggle it and Jiggle it too
12
Shinkansen The!
13
Goddam Sounds Good Part 2