Boss Hog “Brood X” 2017. In The Red Records. Brood X is Boss Hog’s first full-length since 2000′s Whiteout but during those 17 years they haven’t lost that bluesy-punk swagger that will make you “feel good and greasy” (Allmusic). Cristina Martinez’s voice is still cooly menacing (on “Signal” in particular) and Jon Spencer is always filled with bravado, punctuating occasionally with signature “C’mon’s!” and “Yeah’s!.”  I love it when Martinez and Spencer share vocal leads; “Rodeo Chica” is a bit kitschy but when the two sing together it’s the best – like we’re being let in on a slightly twisted inside joke (one of my all-time favorite Boss Hog songs is “I Dig You” from their ‘95 album Boss Hog: “I dig your groovy hips” “I dig your barbecued lips!”). Overall, Brood X is darker, more no-wave than their past recordings. Tracks veer from musically sparse to wall-of-sound dense (“Elevator” and “Formula X”), though Jens Jurgensen’s bass lines and Hollis Queens’ drumming provide a smooth funk throughout, creating a slow-mo ass-shaking cohesion. “Sunday Routine” floats a bit out into space, with a hazy stoner jam. “17″ goes proggy and experimental with organ, startling punctuated guitar and weird fuzzy sound effects that go on for a few minutes into the runoff groove to complete the album (according to a review of the album in Pitchfork, the sound is representative of a swarm of cicadas, emerging after 17 years underground). Speaking of runoff grooves: Side A (labeled as Exuvia) etchings: “Mars in Pisces” and Side B (labeled as Creature) says “#resist – activate your scope!”

[UPDATE: just learned today, April 10th, is Jens Jurgensen’s birthday]