Search - Thee Michelle Gun Elephant :: Gear Blues

Gear Blues.... brilliant.

johnnyrogue | USA | 04/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone blessed enough to get their hands on this amazing collection of ear-bleedin' punk will be sure to send their regards. This CD should prove to be a fine introduction to this Japanese punk band for anyone who has yet to experience them at all. From the first track on the cd, the listener is already aware that this band has the raw intensity of all other big Japanese punk band names that have already hit these shores (think Melt Banana or Boredom or Guitar Wolf to name a few). What makes Thee Michelle... different is that already you can feel the heavy emphasis placed on pronouncing vocals and rich variety in harmonies and melodic structure. The vocals deserve high praise, and this CD includes lyrics both in English and Japanese, which should be welcome for anyone who is interested in this. For anyone else who wants something a la Guitar Wolf, this band and this CD will not disappoint. The previous reviewer rightly made allusions to the American rockabilly guitar tradition, but he/she already stated that Thee Michelle GUn Elephant is putting the American rock/punk scene to shame. You're right. They are. And the proof is in the pudding. Buy this CD. Listen to it. And, maybe, 53 minutes later, you too will agree. johnnyrogue"

The best rock 'n' roll band RIGHT NOW!

jaython | Brooklyn, NY | 12/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok - so i didn't write this but this review does this LP (and band) this amazing album justice:Japanese rock 'n' rollers are kicking our butts. They're simply pulverizing any American attempts to raise the bar on the rebellious tradition that we Yanks created in the first place. The most recent "Japanese monster R&B" band to hit our shores is Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, and its Gear Blues is a sound ear-boxing for any American who thinks that Uncle Sam still corners the market on kicking out the jams. Though the Land Of The Rising Sun's other garage punk bands (e.g. Teengenerate and Guitar Wolf) almost exclusively cut their teeth on the three-chords-and-a-sneer style of artists like Eddie Cochran and the Ramones, Michelle Gun Elephant also fervently worships the cosmic live intensity of The Who and the white soul of the MC5, as well as the destructo rock of lesser-known U.S. bands like the Sonics and the Scientists. Gear Blues is therefore not your run-of-the-mill sonic barnburner -- if there is such a thing! Under the rock 'n' roll rage there are enough intense solos to make Wayne Kramer proud, and a few downright Entwistle-esque bass lines that effectively slap brass knuckles on TMGE's massive hooks. - Cheryl Botchick: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 610 - Mar 22, 1999"

If you're tired of American and Brit punk...

dughead | tennessee | 05/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is for you! This album makes me want to jump up and down, there's so much energy here...these guys are great, I never thought punk rock could be so refreshing. Japan has breathed new life into the genre. The guitar riffs on this record are great, kind of a throwback to surf-rock, lots of fun. I don't know what the heck they're saying most of the time, but that's probably a good thing considering the song titles- don't think I want to know...enjoy!"