Boss Hog, Whiteout (In The Red) 9+
I recall an interview with Jon Spencer in late '94 in which he said while the Blues Explosion had no interest in signing to a major label, his wife Cristina Martinez wanted a piece of the rock-star trappings with major label support, MTV videos and the whole shebang. And like a good husband, Spencer was going to support her and he was gonna like it, damn right. Boss Hog enjoyed a small taste of the pie with their 1995 major label debut, but not as much as less deserving bands like Hole. When the band was dropped last year, instead of crying in their beer like most of the other former indie-sellout wussies, Boss Hog recorded their third and best album for the indie label In The Red. Whiteout introduces their new secret weapon, keyboardist Mark Boyce from under-appreciated hip-hop band The Goats. He adds a noir-ish BarryAdamson (of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds) flair to some songs, and a earthy Stax-Volt soul flavor to others. Martinez's first priority now may be her baby, but that doesn't prevent her from getting down, sexy and downright nasty. It is a perfect balance of funky dance rhythms, post-Pussy Galore scum rock and new wave. "Get It While You Wait" deserves to be a hit with its perfect pop moment of "doh-doh-doh" choruses. Throughout the record, Martinez's vocals are stronger than ever, at times recalling the powerful Flatula Lee Roth of Tragic Mulatto and Leslie Rankine of Silverfish and Ruby. Songs like "Whiteout," "Chocolate" and "Itchy & Scratchy" perfect the danceable rock that Ruby and Luscious Jackson have attempted. "Stereolight" is a fascinating mix of choppy guitar riffs with a sleek Stereolab vibe. The only disappointment is that at merely 10 songs, the album leaves one wanting more (you can just about fit it on a 74-minute CDR with the Girl + EP and Boss Hog...it's high time someone reissues their first album and two EPs from Amphetamine Reptile). If there is justice, today's savvy kids will get with the program, toss out their Garbage and ride the Hog.
