Fu Manchu - We Must Obey

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Century Media
Catalog Number: CD 8335-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

So I was expecting thrash metal from Fu Manchu, given the label source, and it has that kind of heaviness, but I'd say rather they are more punk than metal? Hardcore? I don't know; it's not my usual genre, but I think not. I didn't quite care for this the first time through, but by the second or third time through, my head involuntarily bobbed and weaved. All that was missing was a hot, sweaty crowd moshing and a stage edge dangerously close to splitting my forehead open? Of course, I was sitting at my desk at work, so it meant that it was hard to get work done that way (usually I just bang my nose on the keyboard and hope for something coherent).

The Century Media website identifies this Orange County, California band as fuzz-rock. Well, fuzzy it is; buzz-saw guitars spitting everywhere; rumbling, pounding percussion hammering everything home. Sounds like clich?s, eh? Well, that's what it is -- pummeling rock that drives like a fist up your arse, as it were. Feet stomping on your head until your eyeballs shoot out, and you look like a prune. Elsewhere - even there - it mentions stoner rock? like, dude, I thought that might just a bit more laid back. Perhaps it's not quite as stoned as those into psychedelics... Pink Floyd or Yes this ain't (fer example). What are the songs about? I don't know; about all that registers are the choruses; but that doesn't mean you can't figure out what Scott Hill (vocals, guitar) is singing, just that? without the lyrics at hand (neither with the promo nor their website?), I can't tell you really. Well, I suppose stoned it doesn't much matter what they're actually singing about anyway.

So-- wait, let me clarify something. I am not stoned; I just meant that when one is, it wouldn't much matter anyway. Don't want to start any rumours now.

Okay, with that cleared up. There were times - at lot of times - where I thought of The Beastie Boys; and I'd guess I'd have to say basically their mondo hit "Fight For Your Right To Party." Well, this stuff is certainly defiant, a fist shaking gesture (middle finger raised optional). They almost seem to cop the opening riff from Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" in "Land Of Giants" ? no, really! I thought they were going to cover it. But no, it was a fleeting moment. This album's cover is The Cars' "Moving In Stereo." Pacing is about the same as the original, but the attitude is upped with the sludgy bass (Brad Davis) and drums (Scott Reeder) and buzzing guitars (Hill, Bob Balch); but the widdly, spirally keyboard effects are intact, at least at the beginning. Actually, it's not a bad cover at all. And "Sensei Vs. Sensei" has a surf-rock feel to it, owing to the warbly guitar that sway at the beginning and repeated at spots throughout.

So, Fu Manchu tear through 11 adrenaline filled tracks on We Must Obey, their 10th (!) release. How to rate this on a prog site since it's not prog? not even in the slightest? In context, it's not too bad. I mean, I like a little more variety in my music, though there are times when I just need to feed off this kind of aggro, when I need something that fits my "f-you" mood (and I do get them) this would be it. This kind of stuff, that is. But you know, I think I've venturing back into being a little too cerebral about it. If you are into the stuff as much as you are into prog - or if you wandered here from a web search - then release is ok. I don't know what the average is to say more than that. If you are just into prog and stoner rock/fuzz rock is your sort of thing, then you will find it noisy and rough around the edges and scruffy? and maybe in need of a shower and shave.

Tracklisting:
We Must Obey (3:12) / Knew It All Along (3:11) / Let Me Out (3:07) / Hung Out To Dry (3:25) / Shake It Loose (4:12) / Land Of Giants (3:56) / Between The Lines (1:32) / Lesson (3:20) / Moving In Stereo (2:41) / Didn't Really Try (2:51) / Sensei Vs. Sensei (4:56)

Musicians:
Scott Hill - vocals, guitar
Brad Davis - bass
Bob Balch - guitar
Scott Reeder - drums

Discography:
No One Rides For Free (1994)
Daredevil (1995)
In Search Of... (1996)
The Action Is Go (1997)
Return To Earth '91-'93 (1998)
King Of The Road (2000)
California Crossing (2001)
Go For It...Live! (2003)
Start The Machine (2004)
(Godzilla's) Eatin' Dust (2004)
We Must Obey (2007)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: December 24th 2007
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.fu-manchu.com
Hits: 2437
Language: english