Biff Bang Pow - Southern Culture on the Skids, Phillips
Where Is the Moon
Fire of Love - Southern Culture on the Skids, Reynolds
Swamp Fox
The Sweet Spot
It's All Over But the Shoutin'
Chapel Hill's second most famous rock band, Southern Culture on the Skids has finally transcended their kitschy novelty act trappings on their seventh album, The Mojo Box,and created an album worthy of their considerable t... more »alents. Without sacrificing any of their overwrought manic energy, or cunning twists on white trash culture, Rick Miller, Mary Huff, and Dave Hartman have created a swampy masterpiece, that is equal parts Grateful Dead, the Cramps, and Credence Clearwater Revival, bathed in barbecue sauce, irony, and some gloriously garagey guitar lines that conjure up images of a young Keith Richards. Produced by Miller at his rural North Carolina home studio, Mojo Box is the sound of a band proud of their Southern roots, but no longer exploiting them as if they were a fourth member in the band. Instead, Southern Culture on the Skids uses a newfound restraint that elevates a country ballad like "Where Is the Moon," to a near classic that even Emmylou Harris would long to sing, and makes the creeping dread of the title track something you wouldn't want to listen to with the lights off. --Jaan Uhelszki« less
Chapel Hill's second most famous rock band, Southern Culture on the Skids has finally transcended their kitschy novelty act trappings on their seventh album, The Mojo Box,and created an album worthy of their considerable talents. Without sacrificing any of their overwrought manic energy, or cunning twists on white trash culture, Rick Miller, Mary Huff, and Dave Hartman have created a swampy masterpiece, that is equal parts Grateful Dead, the Cramps, and Credence Clearwater Revival, bathed in barbecue sauce, irony, and some gloriously garagey guitar lines that conjure up images of a young Keith Richards. Produced by Miller at his rural North Carolina home studio, Mojo Box is the sound of a band proud of their Southern roots, but no longer exploiting them as if they were a fourth member in the band. Instead, Southern Culture on the Skids uses a newfound restraint that elevates a country ballad like "Where Is the Moon," to a near classic that even Emmylou Harris would long to sing, and makes the creeping dread of the title track something you wouldn't want to listen to with the lights off. --Jaan Uhelszki
Charles N. from ALEXANDRIA, VA Reviewed on 6/9/2010...
Great, great CD. I'm shocked they aren't more well-known. Excellent songs, great guitar work, and witty lyrics.
CD Reviews
More of the Same -- High Praise for this Band!
Scott Schiefelbein | Portland, Oregon United States | 05/10/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"SCOTS may not be the most innovative or experimental band around, but they are among the most entertaining. "Mojo Box," the band's most recent effort following their five-star "Liquored Up and Lacquered Down" album, serves another big heap of guitar riffs and clever lyrics that is perfect for your next big shin-dig. A bit raunchier, a touch more rockin' than "LU&LD," "Mojo Box" brings the goods hard and fast. With six tunes clocking in at under 3 minutes and only one over four minutes, "Mojo Box" tosses you from tune to tune, most of which come with SCOTS' usual mix of wit and double entendre. "Doublewide" is probably my current favorite track, but pretty much every tune is enough to get my fingers banging on the steering wheel and my thoughts turning to bootleg liquor and some Carolina BBQ.A great addition to any southern rock CD collection!"
There's an evolution goin' on here...
Paul B. Hogue | Olive Branch, MS United States | 02/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album really is a change of pace for the band, and not just because of the departure of Cousin Crispy. They are now a power trio making great rock and roll, and they have grown some in the process. The band still has the swanky trailer park funhouse appeal it always did, but their songwriting and performing definitely show a maturity that should come this far into a band's existence. I have to say that Mary nearly steals the show on the songs that feature her, especially their cover of "Fire of Love." This is already my "Song of the Year," and I doubt that the next eleven months will find another to knock it from the top of the heap. "The Wet Spot" is a killer surf tune, period. God Bless ya, Rick. And how Dave keeps from having a heart attack during "Doublewide" is beyond me. This is the best album from the best live band in America."
SCOTS still cookin
shasta | Bassett Va | 08/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"SCOTS are 1 of the few bands I know of that have been together 15 plus years and can still put out an album as powerfull as their 1st. For me this is their best offering since To Much Pork. So many bands change the formula and end up like Metallica. Not SCOTS. They are still kickin it.
Its been to long since have seen this band live. And I always thought they were best as a 3 piece unit. If you are or ever have been a fan of this band, dont let this one pass you buy."
It doesn't get any more fun than this
dbls | Farmington CT | 03/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Where to begin? Crunchy guitars, pulsating bass, sly lyrics ("If you're gonna eat fish, you gotta taste a little bottom") and more hooks than you'll find in a tackle box. "I Want A Love" is my favorite, with its terrific finish, but the bridge in "Mojo Box" is brilliant, and "The Wet Spot" makes Dick Dale sound like he's playing in an anechoic chamber.SCOTS is difficult to categorize, and difficult to take out of your player."
For S.C.O.T.S. fans only! Others try at own risk.
G. Kauppila | United States | 02/01/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This outing by the kings of "far out surfin' silliness" have a winner if you're a big fan of the band and their previous CDs. Starting with the sure fire good time rocker "smiley yeah yeah yeah" the album follows the formula that made their other CD's winners! Songs of the love, cars, & glorious white trash livin' with a couple of inspired surf insturmentals round out a fun CD. For the uninitiated you should try "Dirt Track Date" or "Plastic Seat Sweat" for S.C.O.T.S. at their very BEST! P.S. How come no songs about pinball?????"