Search - Revolting Cocks :: Sex-O Olympic-O (Dig)

A strong 70s dance feel mixed with some 90s techno/industria

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 09/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Good

"HookerBot3000" is out future according to the band, and it's set to a seductive beat. Al Jourgensen's signature vocal effect portray a futuristic feel and time. "Red Parrot" delivers some commanding guitars to the hypnotic beats that the group have been putting forth thus far. Clearly the Revolting Cocks has an affliction for a robotic future as they delve into the future of cowboys with "Robo Banditos." No subject is too taboo for the REVCO with "Cousins." Despite its cringe inducting implications, the track is rather catchy. "Abundant Redundancy" is an all out aural assault with guitars and electronic effect fighting it out for your attention.



The Bad

Do you like your Al Jourgensen hard rock or techno/industrial?



The Verdict

It's good to hear that Jourgensen hasn't walked away from the music scene, only Ministry (for now I'm sure). If you've never heard the Revolting Cocks before (like me) than you'll be surprised to hear a strong 70s dance feel mixed with some 90s techno/industrial. Think early Ministry or KMFDM with less guitars. Sex-O Olympic-O is just as hot and powerful as any Ministry album, just with fewer guitars and angry rants. The album is highly sexual and taboo at times, and is set to some of the most come-hither beats you'll ever hear."

Green Andy Reviews: The Revolting Cocks - Sex-O Olympic-O

A. ZIATS | New York, NY, USA | 10/04/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"So bandleader Al Jourgenson considers this record to be one of the best he's ever made, to the point where he's thinking about postponing his retirement from music as a result? I'm sure he's not taking my opinion into account, but if he really considers this album to be that great, I think his judgment might be impaired enough where retirement could be a good idea. Sex-O Olympic-O isn't the worst album ever made, but it's surprisingly tired-sounding and not nearly as funny or outrageous as the group seems to think it is.



This latest version of the band, with new vocalist Josh Bradford and rhythm section Sin Quinn and Clayton Worbeck, do a pretty faithful recreation of the group's Wax Trax Records-derived industrial rock, with loping post-punk bass lines and rigid drums pounding away behind the heavy guitars and monotone keyboards. Although the production is loud and punchy, the music itself sounds curiously dated, like these are remastered tracks from 1988 or so. The percussion occasionally bursts into a more modern glammy stomp, but other than that, this is nothing we haven't heard before. Industrial clichés abound, like the clubby opening to "I'm Not Gay", and likewise Bradford's distorted snarl seems to be trying hard to replicate Chris Connelly's classic vocals, but he lacks the former Cocks contributor's sense of dignity. Of course, the material he's got to work with is way inferior. Obviously this isn't supposed to be a serious band, but they used to be enjoyably funny. Songs like "Hookerbot 3000" and "Lude Ferrigno" are just stupid, even by the group's sophomoric standards.



Al Jourgenson has a signature production style, and nothing he makes is ever completely worthless, and some of the music here does work despite the corny lyrics, like "Robo Bandidos" and "Abundant Redundancy", and in particular "Red Parrot" is about the most successful song on the album at capturing the sleazy sense of fun that falls so flat on the other songs. But overall, this record misses way more often than it hits, so unless you're an Al Jourgenson creepy superfan, I'd steer clear of it."