Blue Meanies

Pave The World (Thick)
by Joshua Brown

The first track, “Smother Me,” bounces from hyperactive ska to twisted spy themes to cutesy indie whispering without missing a beat. The sub-Zorn horns are reminiscent of Dog Faced Hermans, and the numerous time changes of Dog Faced Hermans, and the numerous time changes sound like No Means No on 78 RPM. Their cover of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” rips shit up, creatively blending ska and balls-to-the-wall thrash. Next is a Turtles cover, “Happy Together.” The melodies are sung on-key (what a relief!) and the noise element is insidious to such a happy (albeit sarcastically presented) tune. “Pave the World” has a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds feel and a show-tune vibe. Next is “F.O.R.D.,” a larger-than-life Tom Waits inspired blues dirge, played with the same Broadway-like drama as the last tune.