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Album Details

• Artist: Blues Explosion
• Album: Damage
• Label: Sanctuary
• Year of Release: 2004
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: challey on 2004-10-29

For some reason, no one has ever taken the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion seriously. I've never been able to understand this point of view, but maybe I'm biased because of my undeniable love for Spencer's Pussy Galore days. Although it's clear that they reached their peak in the early-middle 90s, rumors got around that their newest outing, Damage, could have been a true return to form for them.

It was time for change, so Spencer and the boys dropped the Jon Spencer prefix from their name, now just going by the Blues Explosion, and switched from Matador, with whom they'd been with for over ten years, to Sanctuary Records. That's not the only change they've undergone, however. Somewhat ironically, the JSBX is one of the most experimental bands around, yet they've never really steered from their white-boy blues style of music. Although the fans who love them for that will not be disappointed with the album, as there are many songs that recall albums of their past, the trio have definitely experimented in terms of songwriting much more than they ever have in their career thus-far. 'Spoiled' is as close to a ballad as they've ever written, and it's a great one at that. 'Crunchy' is nearly a pop song, something that would never have been expected of Spencer back in his rebellious Pussy Galore days. In fact, he even sings the chorus, something that I don't ever remember hearing on any album they've done before. The song almost sounds like it would fit right in on Exile on Main Street. 'Hot Gossip' was almost set up to fail, a politically-fueled song featuring rapping by Chuck D, yet it somehow manages to be one of the best songs of the album. Although it sounds a little too much like Rage Against the Machine, it's full of energy and remains true to their style. 'Rivals,' a quick instrumental, even attempts to mix a bit of jazz with the blues; at under two minutes, it certainly could have been longer, but is still a nice inclusion and only helps to diversify the album.

Again, a matter of personal bias, but for me there's not quite any other listening experience like that of the (Jon Spencer) Blues Explosion. For some, the band is too much style-over-substance, but perhaps that's precisely what I like about them. When I put on one of their albums, I immediately get into the groove and listen to it all the way through; honestly, how many other bands can have that said about them? Damage is just another fitting title into their catalog. I doubt it will be regarded as their best work by many people, but it may force those who thought the band's career was over after Plastic Fang to give them another chance.

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