Black Lips - Arabia Mountain

Album Review: Black Lips – Arabia Mountain
by Chuck Norton
05.27.11

The Black Lips are back with their latest album, Arabia Mountain, on June 7, 2011. The Atlanta-based garage band took the notable step of picking up Mark Ronson as producer on this, their sixth studio album.

Ronson’s influence on the album can be detected throughout the album as The Black Lips’ self-proclaimed “flower-punk” sound is given a ’60′s Brit-rock spit-shine. While the album still has the raw, southern garage and punk overtones that the band is known for, Arabia Mountain, ranges from the psychedelic “You Keep On Running” to the ’60s Brit-pop bliss of “Time”.

Much like most of there previous work, there are no epic songs on this album as the longest of the 16 tracks comes in at just over three minutes. Like the Ramones before them, the band is able to creative infections, sing-a-long songs – like “Mad Dog” and Raw Meat” – that come neatly packaged in two minute wrappers.

One of the highlights of the albums – especially for fellow Atlanta natives – is “Noc-A-Homa” an ode to the 1980′s-era Atlanta Braves mascot who was a prominent in-stadium fixture at games throughout the 1980′s.

Many of the songs seem to have a heavy influence of The Animals – the underrated ’60′s-era British band who has been overlooked because of the commercial success of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Only the song “The Lie” sounds as if it would have been on The Black Lips’ last album, 200 Million Thousand.

The Black Lips have, in the past, found ways to tweak the stylistic influences on their studio albums while maintaining their unmistakable sound. The same is true of Arabia Mountain as this albums features a crispness not always seen in their past work.

Change is good. It keeps things fresh. From Arabia Mountain it’s obvious that the Black Lips understand how important that is. It is an enjoyable album perfect for fans who like their music in short bursts with heavy stylistic destinations.

Hot Chip (by Bevis Martin and Charlie Youle)

It’s 2010′s first Sunday Night Videos – and also my sister’s birthday – so let’s celebrate!

This week’s diverse collection includes new videos by Hot Chip, “One Life Stand” and Florence & the Machine live from New Year’s Eve, “You Got The Love” as well a classic tracks by The Jesus Lizard, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin and Buzzcocks.

The Video of the Week is the classic track, “Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks.

The artist line-up: The Kinks, Florence & The Machine, Kula Shaker, Taken by Trees, The Black Lips, Fucked Up, The Jesus Lizard, Buzzcocks, The Hold Steady, Cheap Trick, Ben Folds, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Dirty Pretty Things, Hot Hot Heat, Friendly Fires, Hot Chip, BlakRoc and Random Patterns.

Video of the Week

The Kinks – Sunny Afternoon

Sunday Sixteen

Florence & The Machine – “You Got The Love” (live)

Kula Shaker – “Tattva”

Taken By Trees – “My Boys”

The Black Lips – “Short Fuse”

Fucked Up – “Magic Word”

The Jesus Lizard – “Nub”

Buzzcocks – “Harmony In My Head” (live)

The Hold Steady – “Sequestered In Memphis” (live)

Cheap Trick – “Sick Man Of Europe”

Ben Folds – “Bitches Ain’t Shit” (live)

Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy

Dirty Pretty Things – “Bang Bang You’re Dead”

Hot Hot Heat – “Talk To Me, Dance With Me” (live)

Friendly Fires – “Kiss Of Life”

Hot Chip – “One Life Stand”

BlakRoc – “Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)”

Bonus Video

Random Patterns – “Canvas”

Canvas from random patterns on Vimeo.