Given their fervent belief in all that is loud, sleazy, and butt-shakable, it's no great surprise that the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion saved some of their most raucous performances for that most all-killer, no-filler of audio formats, the 7" single. Jukebox Explosion crams 18 JSBX sides that were previously available only on 7" vinyl (most as part of In the Red's Blues Explosion Jukebox Series) or were never before released onto one CD for the turntable deprived, and if this set lacks a bit of the coherent flow of the group's best albums, for sheer party-down noise this is high-octane frenzy at its most satisfying. While some observers have grumbled that JSBX's work in the 21st century hasn't been up to the standards they previously established, even the newer tracks on Jukebox Explosion roar like a mountain lion on steroids, with the Plastic Fang outtake "Ghetto Mom" sounding as good as anything on board. Other high points include "Caroline," a venomous kiss-off to the band's former record label; the slow and melodramatic "Jailhouse Blues" (a cover of an old Andre Williams number); the heavy-grinding "Showgirl" (featuring Cristina Martinez of Boss Hog on backing vox and previously available as a giveaway from Sassy Magazine, of all places); and "Curfew Blues," a soulful strut Spencer confesses was ripped off from Earl King at the fade. If you prefer JSBX's more polished efforts such as Acme and Plastic Fang, Jukebox Explosion may not be your cup of cheap whiskey, but if you want to hear this band rocking full-stop, this does the job as well as anything these guys have released since Crypt Style. Points added for the excellent cover artwork by Mort Todd, which should look familiar to fans of the Back from the Grave series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
J**Y
Good CD
Good album. Highly recommended for Jon Spencer fans.
B**B
Five Stars
Great Great Great
B**.
Killer comp....
Here you go! A killer comp of raw and dirty tracks from the most exciting years of this band's existance.....only thing is a few tracks don't have the "vinyl scuzz" from the overdriven mastering. But all that aside,here's a batch of stuff that'll get ya higher than Moonshine with Formaldehide as a kicker!
V**O
JSBE at it's most raw
If you like your JSBE on the punk side, you'll love this one. Pure raw, and plenty of it.
G**G
Five Stars
RAW!
J**S
Blues Explosion early days
The first sound album of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion that we observed was Orange. Our impression and image of the group was formed by Orange. We then followed the group's discography and observed later albums like Now I Got Worry and Acme. The progress was clear and we understood the group's identity. Nearly 10 years later, one of our members discovered Jukebox Explosion. This sound album rocked the very foundation that our impression of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion was built on. It is raw, experimental and certainly a blues explosion. Some of our members found it to be a blues mutation or even blues dismantling. Nevertheless, the sounds of this album must be learned and understood by all Resistors in our organization.Michaelmatician has recommended this album to all Right Citizens and expects notes to be taken.2.342
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3 weeks ago
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