This release celebrates NRBQ’s 30th year as a band, and as a way of drawing things full circle, it has the same title (er, lack of title) as their debut, released in 1969. It’s also their first full studio album since Al Anderson left the band in 1994 (Johnny Spampinato took over as lead guitarist).
The album is a wacky yet delightful ride through all the styles of music NRBQ is capable of, from the blues-rock of “Puddin’ Truck” to the dada-rock of “I Want My Mommy” to the Beatlesque pop of “Blame It On The World” to the country twang of “Ain’t No Horse”. Keyboardist Terry Adams’ songwriting is in prime form; he perfectly capture the nightmare of any one who’s ever been rudely awakened by a hotel maid on “Housekeeping” and aggressively gives hairdo tips on “Tired Of Your Permanent”.
The most striking songs, however, are supplied by bassist Joey Spampinato, whose “Love Came To Me”, a deeply felt ballad, and “Sail On Sail On”, a bouncy pop gem in the style of Randy Newman, offset the out-of-whack perspective on such cuts as “CM Pups”, “Birdman” and “Termites”.
NRBQ fans are sure to welcome this long-anticipated set with open arms, while the uninitiated will find it an entertaining and diverse set by what continues to be one of America’s great bands.
