Whiteout

Spin - 7 out of 10 - "...ingeniously slicked-up garage-pop....Never mind the sleaze, here's a Boss Hog any mother could love..." Alternative Press - 4 out of 5 - "...less raucous, less trashy, and perhaps even a little campier....Mind you, the album isn't any less funky, driving, sexy, cocky or beautiful than what fans are used to....a love for the griminess, carnality and sheer pleasure in rock is alive and well..." Rolling Stone - 3 stars out of 5 - "...continues to delve into the deserted heart of Southern roots music, now adding a resonant tightness and punk finesse..." Q - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A smattering of truly great songs..." Melody Maker - 4 stars out of 5 - "...the best thing Jon Spencer has ever put his name to. The sound is much fuller, phatter and funkier than JSBX..." CMJ - "...zones in on the infectious faux-Stax grooves that propelled the finer points of the Hog's eponymous 1995 debut....their finest half-hour to date." Uncut - 4 stars out of 5 - "...WHITEOUT kicks like few records kick. It'll take your roof off in 20 seconds....Phenomenal..."

It's difficult to consider Boss Hog without invoking the name of Jon Spencer. Not only is the Blues Explosion leader a member of Boss Hog, but he's also married to Boss Hog leader Christina Martinez, so his overwrought post-modern downtown, white-boy blues-funk is always lurking just around the corner. To her credit, on Whiteout Martinez keeps the dude at bay by taking the aesthetic helm (taking bass player Jens Jurgensen, drummer Hollis Queens, and keyboardist Mark Boyce along for the ride, too). The ten cuts that comprise this, Boss Hog's sixth album, are obviously her vessel. Don't be fooled by the dreamy atmospherics, the sultry vocal ruminations, or the awkwardly funky new romantic synth beats; she's painting the picture of garage punk and new wave girl groups as refracted through a 21st century looking glass. So, while it's occasionally as cheesy as Human League or as awkwardly skittish as the Rezillos, Whiteout ultimately finds Boss Hog able to manipulate the best of these associations to its benefit and remain as smoldering and funky as a hot NYC August night. And, while past recorded excursions have been hit or miss scattered affairs, Whiteout is a cohesive sonic effort that manages to keep its sneer without resorting to too many of Spencer's goofball faux-Elvis machismo antics. Christina Martinez has broken the indie rock rules again. ~ Chris Handyside|