Ah, the joy of live music. There really is nothing better than the concert experience — hearing that favorite song, watching the band's lead guitarist play his instrument with his penis and getting pissed on by that same guitarist. You really haven't lived until you've witnessed such greatness — wait, so that isn't normal?
Oh, well, it seems that someone also forgot to notify Atlanta quartet the Black Lips, but it's highly unlikely that this foursome would care.
With onstage antics reportedly including the aforementioned "golden shower" trick and an awe-inspiring flaming pubic hair stunt, the Black Lips are gaining notoriety for their take no shit — and no prisoners — attitude. This group brings its crazy, but surprisingly carefree attitude, to their latest live from Tijuana release, Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo, a collection of West Coast-inspired, raucous punk tunes.
The Black Lips make it clear on Los Valientes that they don't want international fame. They'd rather take it easy, throw back a bottle of tequila or four and make out with each other. This ballsy, carefree attitude is evidenced by the soft interludes of the party's mariachi band and personal accounts throughout the album.
These quirky additions, however, also make for the album's best moments. In the middle of the sock-hop themed "Dirty Hands," singer Joe Bradley recounts a time when he and "Bobby" went to Tijuana. He sings, "We rode donkeys in the sand and smoked cheeba by the water. There I got a tattoo of a chupacabra on my bellybutton, and he got one that said 'Mexico 3003.'"
Despite their carefree attitude, the Lips demonstrate some serious musical ability throughout Los Valientes in their simple yet enjoyable music. The surfer pop and old-school punk inspiration behind the Lips' "flower punk" style makes for a pleasant contrast against the quartet's infamous theatrics. A bending, dissonant guitar line throughout the track "Boomerang" presents an updated, almost melancholy love song. This somber interpretation is reinforced with lead guitarist Cole Alexander's raw, Sid Vicious-reminiscent vocals.
On the bouncy "Not a Problem," the Lips evoke more of the traditional West Coast mentality with instrumentation. The mellow guitar work is the standout element on this track, not only because its volume is well above that of the vocals and percussion, but also its simplicity provides an ambient effect over the chaos of the other instruments. The verses display more of this So-Cal, relaxed rock vibe in Alexander's near-spoken vocalization, but the fast-paced, Sex Pistols-esque chorus stays true to the Lips' punk influences.
The Lips also demonstrate their inspiration from punk icons the Ramones on the delightfully nihilistic track "Fairy Stories." Three of the four members introduce this track with a chant of "My daddy has a gun/ It's not a toy but it's loads of fun/ You have to hold it until you hear a click." Contrasted against the peppy, up-tempo instrumentation, this lyric recalls the cynicism behind the popular Ramones tracks "Beat on the Brat" and "I Wanna Be Sedated."
Following through with this inspiration, the Lips wrap up the album with a powerhouse of a track, "Juvenile." Once again reminiscent of the Ramones, the simple power chords and clashing percussion make for yet another fast-paced, frenetic number. The backup wave of "ahs" provides more of the characteristic West Coast vibe the foursome incorporates throughout Los Valientes. The Lips end this track with an incoherent jumble of buzzing instrumentation and yelps — a suitable manner to close this chaotic album.
There's something oddly intriguing about the Black Lips — perhaps it is the group's onstage antics or the fact that they've been banned from most clubs they've played at that appeals to the 10-year-old within. Most aren't lucky enough to witness these insane performers live (rumor has it, however, they'll be in Milwaukee in April), but Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo provides listeners with a satisfying taste of the Black Lips' laidback musical tastes and onstage demeanor — without all the bodily fluids.
Grade: 4 out of 5
