Hear Me Out Before You Judge Me...

I know that this would be deemed blasphemous in some of my mates' opinion, but I have never fully embraced Black Lips. Before I get lynched in my front garden with a burning cross illuminating the street, let me explain. I came to Black Lips from hearing 'O Katrina' and 'I Saw A Ghost (Lean)' of their fourth (and groundbreaking...of sorts) album, Good Bad Not Evil. So naturally I delved into said album - and I really could not see what all the fuss was about. Im not going to kid you - when they came to Australia I was clambering for a ticket (The Black Lips have a reputation for crazy live shows that have included vomiting (Cole's medical condition), urination, nudity, band members kissing, electric R.C. car races, fireworks, a chicken, and flaming guitars), and the resulting show was blistering (mine included barrel surfing and flaming guitars). But as far as a watershed album is concerned? Nah, Ill pass.

That doesn't sufficiently explain anything does it? I can feel my neck itching pre-emptively from rope burns...

But now this. Through the Adult Swim Singles Program (insert explanation here), Black Lips have released a real crawler of a blues-house whisky stomp. 'Before You Judge Me' is excellent. Not as punky then as Good Bad Not Evil, and enough for me to want to hunt down their other recordings, and to anticipate whats on the horizon. I really like this track - this is the 14th time Ive listened to it consecutively this past 45 minutes. No grower here - its hooks grip you and haul you in to a sleazy sweaty embrace.

I hope that this, my defence, saves me from the gallows...

Black Lips - Before You Judge Me