By Billy Florio
The Mooney Suzuki want to write like the Rolling Stones. They want to rock like the MC5. They want to have wild times like the Pretty Things. After their first two albums, they probably could have achieved that, but on Alive & Amplified, their latest release on major label Columbia, they fall short-by a considerable distance. Blame could land on Avril Lavigne’s production team, The Matrix, whose work with the band could be the weirdest pairing since those two twins in the Proclaimers. The band themselves could also be blamed for their incredibly poor songwriting, which makes LFO seem like lyrical geniuses. The easiest answer though, is to blame them both.
Let’s start with The Matrix. Before they signed to Columbia, the Mooney Suzuki made music that was raw and grimy and bled influence of the Stooges and the Who. The Matrix stripped that away and made it pop-friendly. This isn’t always a bad thing, but it is when that’s your whole gimmick. The songs on this album are so slick and overproduced that the CD slid out of my player.
Next the band. After listening to all the songs on this album, it’s clear what it is about-sex. The overwhelming majority of songs are about sex, from “Primitive Condition,” to the hidden bonus track “Come On The Love Bus.” What’s wrong with that? The Rolling Stones made albums-worth of songs about sex. Well, nothing would be wrong if the songs weren’t so bad. “Messin’ In The Dressin’ Room” and “Naked Lady” are two of the worst songs ever to be associated with garage rock (and this includes the work of the Vines). Other low points: The attempted Stones balladry on “Sometimes Somethin'” (which is just completely out of place on this album), and the bluesy rip-offs “Loose ‘n’ Juicy” and “Hot Sugar.” (If I were Jagger/Richards I’d be suing. These rip-off much more than “Bittersweet Symphony” ever did).
Among all the low points, the album does have a few good songs. “Alive & Amplified,” “New York Girls” and “Shake That Bush Again” all provide some signs that the band still do know how to make a fun tune. None of these could compete with the excellence on Electric Sweat or People Get Ready though. The band claims they will never work with the Matrix again, so there is still hope. Until then, forget about this album and stick with their others. Or just listen to a good Stones album.
