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22 December 2023
Okay. Back in 1997, I believe, I went to a Porno For Pyros show. It was word. Loved every minute of it. But before Perry and the kids took the stage, I was pleasantly surprised by a little group known as Fun Lovin’ Criminals. After the show, my friend The Goon and I went out and purchased their debut album, Come As Yourself. It was pretty cool, mixing rock and rap WAY back before Kid Rock was sucking his mother’s dick.*
The Goon and I rocked out to that album for a good long while. And then, unexpectedly, the band died horribly in a bus accident. Or was it a train? Anyway, that’s what it seemed like, because I didn’t see or hear one thing about them. Well, paint me a fucking jackass! These guys are not only NOT DEAD, but they also have put out two more full-length studio albums, a lounge CD, and a “best of” compilation since 1997. Where the fuck have I been?
And now they are back with a new album called Welcome To Poppy’s (Sanctuary Records). And I dig it, just as I did when I was younger and had more hair. Since ‘97, they’ve gone through two drummers, but their new drummer, Frank the Rhythm Master, fits in just fine.
The opening track, “Too Hot”, is a fun-as-fuck tune, and mixes some sweet soul with a little bit of rock and even some flute playing. And I swear to L. Ron Hubbard that I hear John Lurie/Marvin Pontiac singing back-up, but I could be wrong. “Stray Bullet” rocks out more proper-like, featuring a guitar solo that would put Debbie’s cousin, John Mellencamp, to shame. (What? You didn’t know that Debbie is related to "The Cougar”?) “Runnin’ For Cover” will probably be the first single off the album, and deservedly so. It’s fun, easy to sing along to, and a good time. And speaking of people I thought were dead, Das EFX’s “Real Hip Hop” gets a heavy sample credit on FLC’s “Take Me Back”. And the song “This Sick World”? Well, let’s just say that any song that has the lyric, “Have them kill the Texan, and the man who takes his place,..” is just fine by me.
Is Welcome To Poppy’s groundbreaking music? Probably not. But, as one Vincent Baggadonuts stated, “This is good background music.” And it is. But it’s also fun. And there is nothing wrong with that.
On top of a new album, they’ve got two soundtracks lined up for this year, and two more for next year. One of next year’s soundtracks is for the Irish film Headrush, which also features lead singer Huey in a “...realistic portrayal of a transvestite drug-dealing man-ho.” Wow! These guys are busy as fuck,.. and twisted!
Overall, Welcome To Poppy’s is a good time. And I’m very grateful that these guys didn’t die in that plane wreck. Or was it a Vespa crash? Whatever.
DIG 'EM HERE.
*Beastie Boys reference
PURCHASE THIS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
The Goon and I rocked out to that album for a good long while. And then, unexpectedly, the band died horribly in a bus accident. Or was it a train? Anyway, that’s what it seemed like, because I didn’t see or hear one thing about them. Well, paint me a fucking jackass! These guys are not only NOT DEAD, but they also have put out two more full-length studio albums, a lounge CD, and a “best of” compilation since 1997. Where the fuck have I been?
And now they are back with a new album called Welcome To Poppy’s (Sanctuary Records). And I dig it, just as I did when I was younger and had more hair. Since ‘97, they’ve gone through two drummers, but their new drummer, Frank the Rhythm Master, fits in just fine.
The opening track, “Too Hot”, is a fun-as-fuck tune, and mixes some sweet soul with a little bit of rock and even some flute playing. And I swear to L. Ron Hubbard that I hear John Lurie/Marvin Pontiac singing back-up, but I could be wrong. “Stray Bullet” rocks out more proper-like, featuring a guitar solo that would put Debbie’s cousin, John Mellencamp, to shame. (What? You didn’t know that Debbie is related to "The Cougar”?) “Runnin’ For Cover” will probably be the first single off the album, and deservedly so. It’s fun, easy to sing along to, and a good time. And speaking of people I thought were dead, Das EFX’s “Real Hip Hop” gets a heavy sample credit on FLC’s “Take Me Back”. And the song “This Sick World”? Well, let’s just say that any song that has the lyric, “Have them kill the Texan, and the man who takes his place,..” is just fine by me.
Is Welcome To Poppy’s groundbreaking music? Probably not. But, as one Vincent Baggadonuts stated, “This is good background music.” And it is. But it’s also fun. And there is nothing wrong with that.
On top of a new album, they’ve got two soundtracks lined up for this year, and two more for next year. One of next year’s soundtracks is for the Irish film Headrush, which also features lead singer Huey in a “...realistic portrayal of a transvestite drug-dealing man-ho.” Wow! These guys are busy as fuck,.. and twisted!
Overall, Welcome To Poppy’s is a good time. And I’m very grateful that these guys didn’t die in that plane wreck. Or was it a Vespa crash? Whatever.
DIG 'EM HERE.
*Beastie Boys reference
PURCHASE THIS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
artid
1833
Old Image
6_4_funlovin.jpg
issue
vol 6 - issue 04 (dec 2003)
section
entertainmental