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The Morlocks
The Morlocks Play Chess
Popantipop
The Morlocks Play Chess finds the L.A. blues outfit covering twelve tracks from the catalog of the legendary Chess Label, At once a blistering tribute to their heroes and a muscular assertion that they may very well be the best blues band in the business, this is rather electrifying work. Led by singer Leighton Koizumi, the dirty howl of "Killing Floor" is absolutely perfect; "Boom Boom" is fueled by a libidinous fire and their take on "Who Do You Love" is dark and menacing. Other highlights include a rolling version of "Promised Land," the spirited call-and-response of "You Can't Sit Down" and the furious album closer "Back In The U.S.A." which is a spirited and sweaty rave-up. Although The Morlocks have the spirit of Chicago blues running through their veins, these are boys raised in the city that spawned X and The Germs and as a result there's a distinct punk rock feel to their work. The ferocious stomp of "I'm A Man" and "Help Me" have all the swagger of anything The Gun Club ever did and "Smokestack Lightning" sounds like Jim Morrison fronting The Blasters.
—Alex Green
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