The Kustard Kings - BLAM!

For my money, this is classically beat music. Everyone'll tell you these guys do the instrumental thing a la Meters...hip grinding, knee genuflecting, neck swivelling like an Egyptian Hieroglyph cat. You get the idea, I'm sure. Excellent all instrumental, original , with enough points of reference so that the uninitiated can get it quick. The final two cuts, covers of "Jungle Boogie" and "Spiderman," will hook many listeners, not simply because the tunes are familiar but because the Kustard Kings somehow make the songs their own--as if Spidey and Kool and the Gang never realized until now that their tunes would sound so fresh as lounge-fare-with-organ. The rest of this is even livelier: Terhune, McGinty, and Woolsey are inventive songwriters, and the band is crisp and explosive. And really, really tight. A great record for parties and driving. Highly recommended.

1. Hideko 2. Nina E. 3. The Golden Ram 4. Maya (Pick Up Sticks) 5. Blam! 6. Scream Savers 7. Elene Laura 8. Space Nutz 9. Vampcamp 10. Jungle Boogie 11. Spiderman

kkings