(Are You On The Inside Or The Outside Of Your) Pants?
Love That Is Strange
Turn Up The Century
Whiskey Dog Mind
Vic's Mood (Or Jeffers, I Fear The Rise Of A Meaningless Life)
Sicko Sexual
God In The Palm Of My Hand
The Mystery
Hotel 17
Psychotropic Supergirl
Deliver Your Disease
After first paying homage to their '60s garage punk heroes on their initial barrage of releases, including the LPs Howl and All-Night Riot, the Makers went on to define the contemporary garage genre with their 1997 fourth ... more »album, Hunger--a scorching fireball of wailing guitars, rumbling rhythms, snot-nosed attitude and anxious defiance. Now, just one year later, the Makers have made yet another pivotal leap in their artistic evolution: On their new album, Psychopathia Sexualis, they have virtually abandoned garage, widening their scope toward sophistication, heightened sensuality, and diversity. It's a mature, tasteful album where the Makers explore a wealth of mixed emotions (other than hate, angst, and rage) via paths of soul, art rock, and glam. Accordingly, the pace of Psychopathia is varied--sometimes it's frantic, sometimes it's relaxed, depending on the band's incessant mood swings. Perhaps the most striking feature of the album is singer Michael Maker's voice: He actually sings--sweetly at times--instead of snarling and shouting. More than any other Makers release--and there have been two dozen--Psychopathia Sexualis stands firmly on its own, transcending any and all rock genres. --Joe Ehrbar« less
After first paying homage to their '60s garage punk heroes on their initial barrage of releases, including the LPs Howl and All-Night Riot, the Makers went on to define the contemporary garage genre with their 1997 fourth album, Hunger--a scorching fireball of wailing guitars, rumbling rhythms, snot-nosed attitude and anxious defiance. Now, just one year later, the Makers have made yet another pivotal leap in their artistic evolution: On their new album, Psychopathia Sexualis, they have virtually abandoned garage, widening their scope toward sophistication, heightened sensuality, and diversity. It's a mature, tasteful album where the Makers explore a wealth of mixed emotions (other than hate, angst, and rage) via paths of soul, art rock, and glam. Accordingly, the pace of Psychopathia is varied--sometimes it's frantic, sometimes it's relaxed, depending on the band's incessant mood swings. Perhaps the most striking feature of the album is singer Michael Maker's voice: He actually sings--sweetly at times--instead of snarling and shouting. More than any other Makers release--and there have been two dozen--Psychopathia Sexualis stands firmly on its own, transcending any and all rock genres. --Joe Ehrbar
"The Makers take the attitude "we don't have anything to prove anymore, so we're just doin' this for us." Definitely the most diverse and best musically, plus Michael's lyric's are witty, truthful, and meaningful. No, the Makers haven't gone soft on this one, they have always written slower songs too, but never recorded them. Take it from the "maker" of The Makers website, the makers do music their own way, and go to new heights for this one. Donny shows off his talent as a bass player and song writer, Jamie shows off his amazing guitar ability, and Jay smokes on the drums. Michael, in addition to writing "sicko sexual" himself, shows his great talent of both singing and song writing. Instead of using their usual recorder, Tim Kerr, The Makers enlisted Jack Endino, and the album took 8 days to record and engineer, which is more than all of the other albums combined, so you know they poured heart and soul into this one.This album also marks the first time The Makers have had the album pictures done by a true photographer. This album is also the first CD-book that Estrus records has done."
Inspiration
Pierre (pbrossaud@wanadoo.com) | Nantes, France | 11/20/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To my mind, garage-style music doesn't necessarily mean lack of sophistication. We've got enough examples to prove it.The Makers too manage to preserve the delicate balance between touching and airy melodies and the magic of a garage band spirit: sweet or acid guitar and organ sounds, wah-wah pedal, powerful ( and sexy? )guitar riffs,etc.. From time to time,( unexpectedly?) and for our greatest pleasure, the band teases with the indistinct border of psychedelism. Since inspiration prevails throughout their album,an accumulation of listenings, far from tarnishing the songs, reveal, each time, new dimensions, new explorations. Is there much more that we can expect from musicians?"
A whole new Makers.
Pierre (pbrossaud@wanadoo.com) | 06/28/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This record is definitely different than their past albums. If you're expecting the rawness of "Howl" or the energy of "Hunger" than you'll be disappointed. If you look at it on its own, than you will be impressed. This LP has a couple high energy songs, but mostly slower and softer. It's definitely a whole new Makers. It really shows you what they can do."
Louder, faster, and nastier than all the rest.
scaraverde@hotmail.com | Seattle | 03/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Definitely an album with more studio touches than before, but it retains the essence of the live Makers across the board. The production is never heavy-handed. The lyrics are raunchy, even the slow songs pulse, and the essences of the Godfathers and the Only Ones that drift in and out are a welcome presence. The band sounds super tight and relaxed. This album totally rips!"