THE WARLOCKS surgery

If you haven't discovered The Warlocks yet, then it's high time you did...

I knew I was gonna like this Warlocks album the moment my neighbours banged on the wall and told me to turn it down. They're miserable Mariah Carey-loving saps y'see (my neighbours, not The Warlocks) so the fact they disapproved was all I needed to know. 

The Warlocks are pretty much the polar opposite of Mariah. Phoenix, their last outing, was all about down-strum antisongs and although Surgery is slightly more accessible, it's still a rough, narcotic nightmare. Which is a good thing. At least in my book. 

Corey Grant and John Rees allow their fuzzed up guitars to bleed all over every song, while Bobby Hacksher's pained words reek of novocaine, radiation and darkness. The influence of The Jesus And Mary Chain is obvious (especially on tracks like 'Evil Eyes Again' or 'It's Just Like Surgery') whilst there is a definite shogazey vibe going on during 'Come Save Us' and 'Thursday's Radiation'.

Occasionally Laura Grigsby's piano will stumble, as if by accident, into the wall of feedback (see 'Angels In Heaven, Angels In Hell') but it's quickly snuffed out. The distorted guitars are the star of this show and they ain't sharing the limelight with nobody. 

If Mariah Carey heard this: she'd probably hack her own ears off. Hey, maybe 
someone should send her a copy. 

By Andy McLean. Copyright held by author.

First published in The Brag, Sydney, 2005.

Surgery is available through Mute Records.