"If it wasn’t for Black Lips I’d have saved a few pairs of sneakers, kept a few more girlfriends, and retained many brain cells. Anyone who has witnessed the extravaganza that is Black Lips live on stage understands. What I’m saying is there are memories: fond occurrences of stage diving, friendly moshing, and strung out nights. Hell, I even had to sit through a more than dismal performance by Matt and Kim at Pitchfork years back to get front row for Black Lips. So when a band strays from a routine that was working for you, you can’t help but gasp. On arrival of the news that the Lips would be teaming up with superstar producer Mark Ronson, I had to sit and think what in the world could possibly come out of this. Although stylistically, Mark Ronson’s 60′s style recording techniques did seem like a logical jump for a band that has been biting at huge success, especially with the buzztastic, Good Bad Not Evil, I just couldn’t think what Ronson knew about the pure grit that the Lips portray. Luckily for all of us, Ronson kept true to the Black Lips canon. Arabia Mountain is a more focused and properly crafted effort than the messy explosion of 200 Million Thousand, and tramps along with all the swag that we have come to adore from the Black Lips, all the while mixing in a new, fresh take on the Lips sound. Saxophones, harmonies, catchy whistling, and pianos can all be found sprinkled across Arabia Mountain, but most importantly, it works. The opener Family Tree begins with an eerie sax line that absolutely drags the listener in, before returning in the huge chorus where the Lips ask us to come on down. This album turned from a logical “career move” album to a mainstay in the Black Lips discography after one listen through. Arabia provides the classic romp and playfulness of the Lips in a cleaner, new package that will most definitely bring the Lips to the level they deserve to be.
Arabia Mountain is out now via VICE Records"
Arabia Mountain is out now via VICE Records"
