Face Of The Screaming Werewolf
Yep Roc, 2021
9/10
Listen to Face Of The Screaming Werewolf
The legendary garage rockers The Fleshtones have enjoyed a 40+ year career, where they’ve seemingly done just above everything a rock band can do. Thankfully, that includes releasing one top notch record after another, and here we’re treated to their 23rd LP, Face Of The Screaming Werewolf.
The title track starts the album with their familiar and timeless guitar driven garage rock, where organ and energetic harmonica add much to the thumping rawness, and “Alex Trebek” follows with jangly acoustic guitars helping elicit a retro-rock climate of busy, tuneful grit that pays homage to the late Jeopardy host.
There’s 11 tracks here and not a dud in bunch, as the middle tracks offer the powerful and rugged “Manpower Debut”, while the soulful and bluesy swagger of “Swinging Planet X” will have you headed straight for the dance floor as Peter Zaremba’s harmonica prowess really shines. “Violent Crumble, Cherry Ripe”, one of the record’s best, then recruits acrobatic drumming from Bill Milhizer, as soaring guitar work suits the scrappy, rockabilly tinted atmosphere.
The finals two tracks, “The Show Is Over” and “Somerset Morning”, don’t disappoint, where the former is a blazing and loud blast of charged and melodic garage rock that only The Fleshtones could make, and the latter finishes on some honky tonk fun that’s subdued and full of spirited harmonica and subtle keyboards from guest Michael Giblin.
Though the lyrical content might not be too serious, The Fleshtones deliver seriously great rock’n’roll that’s been consistently relevant and exceptional since 1976. Whether you’ve been on board for awhile or are a first time listener, Face Of The Screaming Werewolf will not disappoint.
Travels well with: The Neptunas- Mermaid A Go Go; Jon Spencer- Spencer Sings The Hits