Don't Like You

〈In The Red〉より1995年にリリースされたCheater Slicksの4thアルバムが、30周年を記念し待望のリイシュー!当時ボストンを拠点にしていたバンドは、プロデュースにJon Spencerがを迎え、ニューヨークのJerry TeelのFunhouse Studioで録音を敢行。過激かつノイジーなサウンドに仕上がり、〈In The Red〉主宰Larry Hardyも「今なおお気に入りの一枚」と語る一枚です。リリース当時から高評価を得た本作ですが、一部ではJonの極端なプロダクションより、ボストンで録音されたデモ音源のストレートな仕上がりを支持する声もありました。今回の再発ではJon Spencerの手によるエッジの効いた本編と、よりストレートな初期バージョンの両方が楽しめるファン垂涎の内容となっています。

For Don't Like You, Cheater Slicks acquired the production services of friend and fan Jon Spencer (Pussy Galore, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion). Spencer also trades places with vocalist Dana Hatch on "Sensitive Side," his zonked-out, stoner ode to the band (Hatch sounds almost as stoned on the Johnny Thunders-like "Should I"). The entire enterprise could be considered a bit of a family affair, as Spencer's longtime compatriot, Jerry Teel (the Honeymoon Killers), also lends his services on harmonica (the smokin' "Motherlode") and recording. (Boss Hog's Cristina Martinez would seem to be the only key "family" member missing.) The results are more successful than not -- especially the opening Scientists-inspired distortion blast, "Feel Free" -- but there's possibly a little more variety here than necessary. Spencer's song, for instance, would have worked better at the end of the recording or even as a bonus track (along with the actual bonus, a spoken word bit). From a sequencing standpoint, it just doesn't fit as comfortably with the rest of the material as it could. That quibble aside, this is one of Cheater Slicks' finest releases in a long and varied career. ~ Kathleen C. Fennessy