Album Review: Mondo Generator - Fuck It
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
It’s been eight years since Mondo Generator released an album and now, we get not only ‘Fuck It’ but a soon to be released of 2010’s lost ‘Shooters Bible’. I’ll pick that up in another review but for now let’s focus on what is a feisty and punchy release from Nick Oliveri, Mike Pygmie (John Garcia - guitar) and Mike Amster (Nebula - drums), the latter duo making their recording debut with their long-time partner in crime.
It’s frenetic stuff from start to finish, and as you’d expect from Oliveri a mixture of speed rock, American punk and hardcore, all bundled up with that drive that we all expect and recognise. Except for two songs which peak at five minutes, most of the album is fast, furious and short in track length. There’s also plenty of the desert rock edge that Oliveri cut his teeth on with Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age; ‘Kyuss Dies’ for example is a dusty dirty tune, which segues in the frantic ‘Turboner’, a pacey track, complete with filthy riffs and Oliveri’s traditional roaring, raging vocals.
With little to dislike, the raging riffs and pumping bass lines (obviously courtesy of Oliveri) will appeal not only to the typical metal head, the punk and even the goth but also to more mainstream fans. The title track apes QOTSA spectacularly but when Oliveri and co are on this type of form why would you even attempt to peg it back? Exactly. It’s certainly value for money, with 14 songs cramming into the final cut. ‘Silver Tequila/666 Miles Away’ is one of the longer tracks here, and with its choppy, punk edged style it’s slightly slower and a little sludgier. Nothing wrong with that of course and this track, which contains a Sabbath riff and conclusion. ‘Option Four’, the penultimate track on this album mixes all the styles on the album into a smorgasbord of explosive, chaotic and at times intensely uncomfortable. But that’s what Mondo Generator are about. You wouldn’t have it any other way. Their forthcoming tour should be a blast.
Recorded at Pink Duck Studion owned by Josh Homme, ‘Fuck It’ is released on Heavy Psych Sounds on 21st February.
