Plastic Fang
Despite providing the framework for lavishly hyped newcomers like theWhite Stripesand theHives, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion remains a determinedly selective pleasure. Not that the New York trio hasn't tried to reach out to new audiences--it hitched up with Lollapalooza a few years ago and cast everyone fromBecktoGorillaz' frontman Dan the Automator to tweak its last album, 1998'sAcme, intosomething listenable. OnPlastic Fangthe group pulls out the heaviest hitters yet, including producer Steve Jordan (Keith Richards, Blues Brothers), engineer Don Smith (U2, Tom Petty), and guestsBernie WorrellandDr. John. Casting the Blues Explosion alongside grizzled veterans who understand the band's fascination with rock & roll's primal blues roots is a smart move. And while the songwriting is predictably unimposing stuff, the propulsive riffs and hammered-out grooves on tracks like "Down in the Beast" and "The Midnight Creep" present the Blues Explosion at its earsplitting best. The masses may still be theirs for the taking.--Aidin Vaziri