Drinking champagne out of Mark Ronson’s Grammy Award may be the best move that the Black Lips have ever made. In addition to ranking among the most badass moves in recent rock history, it sparked the collaboration between the Atlanta punk rockers and the retro-minded producer on their latest album Arabia Mountain. While the pairing may seem odd, it ended up being a match made in heaven. For the first time in their history, the Black Lips’ music truly outshines their antics—an impressive feat for a band whose controversial performances have consistently overshadowed their records.
In the past, the Atlanta punk outfit’s frenetic energy came coupled with an oft-scattered musical rambunctious that turned their efforts into hit-or-miss affairs. That’s not a knock on the band’s previously released music—their catalog possesses some of the best garage rock recorded over the past decade. All too often, however, their borderline-insane behavior allowed for some leeway with their musical inconsistencies. But if the direction taken on Arabia Mountain indicates anything, it’s that the quartet of Cole Alexander, Joe Bradley, Ian St. Pé and Jared Swilley is ready to let the music speak for itself—with or without the associated circus. – Paste Magazine
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