Matador Records
2002
Plastic Fang
About This Album
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's funky wild blues on critical albums like Orange and Now I Got Worry defined the band as being in a league of its own. With an intoxicating and sexy vocal growl, Spencer united with bassist Judah Bauer and drummer Russell Simins to define raw rock & roll outside of grunge, post-grunge, and modern rock throughout the 1990s. The bamboozled electronica mold of 1998's Acme album was sophisticatedly different, but the grit found in the band's previous work was a bit lax. The band might have known it as well; however, a change in direction was happening. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's eighth record, Plastic Fang, doesn't overlook anything this time, for the album exudes a new power. Spencer and his mates sought the expertise and slick work of musician/producer Steve Jordan, who brought brashness back to the front on Plastic Fang. "Sweet n Sour" flourishes with a huge guitar blast, and Spencer's tangy cool vocal howl has never sounded better. "She Said" is comprised of typical swagger, but it's the Rolling Stones-like romp of "Mean Heart" that's truly killer. It's Spencer's best take on a ballad, too, and it's bittersweet, but he's not totally hung up on love.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9)

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