Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Freedom Tower

Jon Spencer has always been bold and 'Freedom Tower' is no different....
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion : Freedom Tower
9.1 Mom & Pop
2015 

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion : Freedom TowerJon Spencer has always been bold and Freedom Tower is no different. It wakes up the neighbors, makes some noise, and gets in your face from the start; Freedom Tower is an injection of funk into the music industry in a decade when music gets toned down. If Freedom Tower proves anything, it is that underground rock is relevant to the greater state of music. It is just like their old stuff plus crazier lyrics.

The record is not extraordinarily experimental, but just enough to keep fans of the band satisfied with their progress. “Come on!”, “Are you ready for the blues explosion?” always works. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first song, with a serious title, “Funeral”, or a silly one, “Cooking for Television”, because it will still make the music more personable. ”Crossroad Hop” is a positive reference to rap and just a fun song. “Betty vs. the N.Y.P.D.” is the kind of rock the world needs, heavy guitar, and Jon Spencer willing the listener to care with, “Come on’ Betty”.

Then, the album meanders somewhat. “Born Bad” doesn’t meet the quality noise of “White Jesus” halfway, because while “White Jesus” is a classic Blues Explosion riff over which Jon Spencer sings about critics who think he’s too care free and too black, “Get off the stage / Don’t be so black / Yeah I’m sick of that.” “Born Bad” is more just a loud jam session.

If you can handle the silly lyrics, “Do the Get Down” brings the energy, and that is what is so great about the Blues Explosion. Regardless, Freedom Tower beats Meat and Bone and equals the Blues Explosion prime releases such as A.C.M.E., Plastic Fang, or Orange.

“Wax Dummy” kicks the album into high gear, the blues explosion romps over an artistic ‘90s guitar melody as only some bands can. Jon Spencer is sick of living life in the nosebleeds like a “Wax Dummy”. As seen here, from live shows moving to the record, Jon Spencer excels where others do not, this also means that the fact there are few of the remixes as seen on previous albums here is probably a good thing.

“Dial Up Doll”, and “Bellevue Baby” are both decent. In “Dial Up Doll”, Jon Spencer is railing on about just getting to call up his girl in classic style. “Bellevue Baby” is solid, in that they reconnect with their blues roots here. “Down and Out” has legitimately one of the better riffs Jon Spencer has written. Smooth and free flowing, it allows Jon Spencer to vocally go crazy

It has been seventeen years since A.C.M.E., and the Blues Explosion have been touring most of that time. However, the last few albums probably did not have the commercial appeal of this release. Albini’s loud bass emphasis in Year One, the guttural feel of Plastic Fang, and the raw, noisy, live feel of Meat and Bone do not quite meet the engaging humour of A.C.M.E. and now Freedom Tower. Statements are rendered throughout the album about television, robotic life, rap, race, critics, and the music industry, and Jon Spencer is as full of both relevant cultural statements and energy as ever.

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Wax Dummy

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