(Ipecac Recordings, 2007)
A horrendous screaking sound greets the listener on Licker’s Last Leg, an album as disconcerting as it is alluring. Goon Moon sees Chris Goss (Masters of Reality) and Jeordie White (Twiggy Ramirez from Marilyn Manson) come together to produce an album which displays a collage feelings and emotions. The riffs and vocals are somewhat catchy, however the feel of the album is delightfully eerie with some disturbingly beautiful lyrics.
Bake the children in the pies.
Licker’s Last Leg is a mix of experimental, eclectic, industrial, and gothic rock, but despite this is very accessible. All this is not too surprising given the ingredients which see Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) and Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails) join Goss and White on this “lovingly crafted journey”.
Sat at the bar with a skull mask on.
A few songs here could quite easily have appeared on QOTSA’s Era Vulgaris which was released the same year and, like all QOTSA releases, produced by Chris Goss. My Machine and Feel Like This in particular have the same feel about them and underline the impact Goss has on both Josh Homme and QOTSA. This album proves just as catchy, possibly even more so, however the dark tone is not so radio friendly and perhaps too misunderstood for Goon Moon to fully take off.
Toss the sisters in the ditch.
Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You is a cover of one of The Bee Gees early, pre-disco tracks. In this instance the song seemingly floats from its psychedelic upbringing into the loving arms of Goss and White where it becomes sharp and mature. Both this and An Autumn Which Came Too Soon could possibly be described as electro-folk, illustrating just how diverse his album is, all the while staying somewhat uniform.
I’ve got a pocket full of gum – Yum!
The album culminates in eight-part The Golden Ball which could be an album on its own and demonstrates Goss and White’s skill in seamlessly hopping from one style to another. This truly is a masterful blend where the boundaries of disturbing and dark experimentation have been pushed closer to a more popular form of alternate rock.
Mashed potatoes, Uncle Sam, apple pie, honey baked ham.
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