One look at the cover of Frankie and the Witch Fingers‘ new album, Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters…, and you know you’re in for a weird, wild time. It’s like something out of a Thundarr the Barbarian episode that never aired. The music, recorded in just five days, is just as good…and it’s a double-album to boot.
Many influences abound on it. Opener “Activate” mixes Afrobeat and krautrock with its groovy bass and space guitars. “Reaper” is practically dipped in Ty Segall‘s sweat with its soothing verses and bone-crunching instrumental breaks. “Sweet Freak” seems to incorporate a little Earth, Wind & Fire into its groove and is a standout on an album full of good tracks.
“Give me your hand, I need to see. Where’s your reality?” they sing on “Where’s Your Reality?” – a fierce rocker that barely takes a breath. The instrumental “Michaeldose” keeps your toes tapping for almost two-and-a-half minutes, flowing into the short “Can You Hear Me Now?”, which flows into the sizzling, psychedelic “Simulator” – a rallying cry for all of us to snap out of our simulated realities and pay attention to the crazy, wild world happening around us. “Wake up, it’s a lie!” They’re right.
“Urge You” is trippy Oh Sees-inspired ooze (and FATWF did tour with them for a while). “Cavehead” seems to give a nod to Primus with its snappy groove, slightly distorted vocals, and power guitar riffs. The album ends with the rolling, rocking, and reeling “MEPEM…” for about eight-and-a-half minutes of chugging psychedelic garage…something. It’s a heckuva closer.
It’s a heckuvan album, too.
Keep your mind open.
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