Roger - This Is The Shit

  by Andrew Carver

published: 24 / 10 / 2004

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Review

Beaming down from the top of Britain’s loftiest peak (or something like that) is Roger, a group composed of dwarves, Finns, albinos, the tiger that mauled that Las Vegas illusionist (erm, really?) and people with names like J. Edgar Hoova and “The Docktor”. So, is Roger, a man, a myth, a band?!? Main brain of this funky odyssey – this quest, if you will -- would appear to be fuzz bassist and lead vocalist Astley Le Jasper. This weirdness -- half Parliament, half Queens of the Stone Age -- was brought to the public’s ears and frontal lobes by Julian Cope’s Head Heritage label, but despite the laser beams and fuck-you-George-W.’s he isn’t a member -- just a good friend. On the oddity meter it isn’t quite George Clinton descending from the mothership – more big bass buzz than space out sci fi trip – and the fonk (sic … passable spelling and good beats never met) messiah storyline is a bit half baked (by comparison, I think the band may be completely baked) but whaddaya want, Shakespeare? File the raspy toasting of The General under acquired taste, but otherwise the album is a real mover.

Track Listing:-

1 Øverture
2 Müthaføcker
3 Ramm It Home
4 Fønk Hammer
5 Høt Fuddge
6 Clapp Your Føckin' Hands
7 Die Bäby Die
8 Røger Loves Ü
9 Fønk Wars