Heavy Trash
New York City music pals Matt Verta-Ray and Jon Spencer have joined forces to create one of the strongest works in either of their catalogs. Spencer of course led his ownBlues Explosion, after the demise of his earlierPussy Galore, while Verta-Ray was rumbling about with the similarly inclinedSpeedball Baby. The two play off each other throughout these thirteen songs with evident glee. Their contrasting vocal styles are heard to great effect on such tandem numbers as "This Day Is Mine." They're joined by a rotating cast of sympathetic players, but it is the strength of their own character and writing that unifies the disc. Sassy, barbed, punchy, and real, they captured each number with rough and tumble perfection.--David Greenberger