Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part VII: California Crossing (2001)

California Crossing was the last album to feature Brant Bjork on drums. It was produced by Matt Hyde.

Members:

Scott Hill: vocals, guitar

Bob Balch: guitar

Brad Davis: bass

Brant Bjork: drums

Review: The album had a high velocity rhythm that was a good mix of Ramones-like speed and fuzzy guitar. “Separate Kingdom” sets the stage, and the drumming on “Mongoose” and the title track complement the bass. I didn’t like the guest appearance from Keith Morris on “Bultaco”. ” Squash That Fly” was a fun tune. “Wiz Kid” and “Ampn” waste no time to assault the ears. This was a good one.

Best tracks: “Separate Kingdom”, ” Mongoose”, “California Crossing”, ” Wiz Kid”,”Squash That Fly”, “Ampn”

Grade: C

Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part VI: King of the Road (2000)

King of the Road was produced by Joe Barresi at Monkey Studios in Palm Desert, California.

Members:

Scott Hill: vocals, guitar

Bob Balch: guitar

Brad Davis: bass

Brant Bjork: drums

Review:

This was a pretty above average album overall. Davis and Bjork lay down a great groove. The guitars are reminiscent of Kiss with more fuzz. My favorite tracks:

“Boogie Van”

“King of the Road”

“Blue Tile Fever”

“Weird Beard”

“Freedom of Choice” –Excellent Devo cover!

Grade: B-

Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part V: Godzilla’s/Eatin’ Dust (1999)

Godzilla’s/Eatin’ Dust is actually two limited edition EP’s. Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age fame appears on some songs, as the album was recorded before Bob Balch joined.

Members:

Scott Hill: vocals, guitar

Josh Homme: lead guitar on track 1, percussion on 1-3

Bob Balch: lead guitar

Brad Davis: bass

Brant Bjork: drums

The Tracks:

“Eatin’ Dust”: This has a good fuzzy riff and rhythm.

“Shift Kicker”: Too much feedback on this. It sounds more like a Nirvana song.

“Orbiter”: This song is a little on the slow side, but not bad.

“Mongoose”: Love the cowbell and bass on this! It’s one of my favorites!

“Pigeon Toe”: Nice syncopation on the percussion.

“Module Overload”: Davis’s bass is crunchy. The lyrics are repetitive, though.

“Living Legend”: Pretty good fuzz guitar.

“Godzilla “: This is a terrible cover. It’s too slow.

Final Verdict: Not a good album. Only a few good songs.

Grade: C

Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part IV: The Action is Go (1997)

The Action is Go is the first Fu Manchu album to feature Brant Bjork (of Kyuss fame) on drums and guitarist Bob Balch. Balch would also go on to form two side projects, Big Scenic Nowhere and Yawning Balch.

Members:

Scott Hill: vocals, guitar

Bob Balch: guitar

Brad Davis: bass, theremin

Brant Bjork: drums

Jay Noel Yuenger: producer, organ

The Tracks:

“Evil Eye”: The song starts with a great fuzzy guitar, before the rhythm section takes over. One of my favorites.

“Urethane”: This has a good bassline.

“The Action is Go”: This song is okay, but it’s repetitive.

“Burning Road”: Love the opening riff.

“Guardrail”: This starts with a bouncy bass.

“Anodizer”: This one starts with a frantic drum solo and then a crunchy bassline.

“Trackside Hoax”: The opening riff is killer. One of my favorites.

“Unknown World”: Is this one of the songs with the theremin? Anyway, good drumming here.

“Laserbl’ast”: Love the bass on this one.

“Hogwash “: Brant kills it on the cymbals.

“Grendel, Snowman”: My most favorite song on the album. Love the fuzzy guitar.

“Strolling Astronomer”: Good rhythm on this track.

“Saturn III”: This has a great hard bass.

“Nothing Done”: The final track has a quick pace.

Final Verdict: This one is okay, but some of the songs are repetitive.

Grade: C

Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part III: In Search of … (1996)

(Note: Because of how difficult it is to end tracklists, I’ve decided to no longer number them)

In Search of… was the last album to feature drummer Ruben Romano and guitarist Eddie Glass, who went on to form Nebula. The album had 2 singles.

Members:

Scott Hill: vocals, guitar, producer

Eddie Glass: guitar, producer

Brad Davis: bass, producer

Ruben Romano: drums, producer

“Regal Begal”: The song starts with a twin guitar riff before the rhythm starts. Great opener.

“Missing Link”: This has an early Black Sabbath vibe to it. Nice. The guitars at the end go hard!

“Asphalt Risin'”: This song is made for air drumming. The bass and twin guitars are face-melting!

“Neptune’s Convoy”: This one has a low bass and trippy tones.

“Redline”: There’s a crazy riff at the start before the song kicks into gear. One of my favorites.

“Cyclone Launch “: This has a good rhythm, with a fever-curing cowbell at the start.

“Strato-Streak”: The guitar scream kicks the song of well. But the lyrics get repetitive. Drumming is good in the middle.

“Solid Hex”: The drumming is frantic and loud! I love it.

“The Falcon Has Landed”: Another psychedelic track with a good echo effect on the vocals.

“Seahag”: Love the riff throughout this track.

“The Bargain “: This one has a bluesy groove with a good bass.

“Supershooter”: This is another psychedelic music trip. Good way to close out the album.

Final Verdict: This was a good album with more variety than the previous albums.

Grade: B

Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part II: Daredevil (1995)

(Before I go further, I thought I’d explain something. Fu Manchu’s lyrics are nonsensical. For that reason, I won’t be going into them all that much.)

This is the first album to feature bassist Brad Davis.

Members:

Scott Hill: guitar, vocals, producer

Eddie Glass: guitar, producer

Brad Davis: bass, producer

Ruben Romano: drums, producer

The Tracks:

  1. “Trapeze Freak”: Excellent solo at the start, leading into some cowbell and fuzzy guitar.
  2. “Tilt”: This has a cool bass line and drumming. It’s also the song that gives the album its title.
  3. “Gathering Speed”: This song kicks into gear with a crazy riff before the drums and vocals come in.
  4. “Coyote Duster”: This has a great bass and fuzzy guitar.
  5. “Travel Agent”: Good twin guitar and drums at the start.
  6. “Sleestak”: This one has a crunchy bass. I don’t like the distortion in the vocals.
  7. “Space Farm”: This gets pretty trippy in the middle. One of my favorites.
  8. “Lug”: This has a frantic rhythm and guitar.
  9. “Egor”: Some killer drumming in this one.
  10. “Wurkin'”: This one’s not bad. It’s got a good bass.
  11. “Push Button Magic”: This oneone has a good riff.
    • Final Verdict: Good follow-up, and had some cool moments. But this was average overall.
    • Grade: C

Deep Dives: Fu Manchu Part 1: No One Rides For Free (1994)

Fu Manchu is a stoner rock band from Orange County, California. The band started as a punk band called Virulence in 1985. They released one album called If This Isn’t a Dream, released in 1988. After several lineup changes, they changed up their sound, and changed their name to Fu Manchu.

This is the only album to feature bassist Mark Abshire. The album was produced by Kyuss drummer and founder Brant Bjork, who eventually became the band’s drummer.

Members:

Scott Hill: guitar, vocals, producer

Eddie Glass: guitar, producer

Mark Abshire: bass, producer

Ruben Romano: drummer, producer

The Tracks:

  1. “Time to Fly”: This song has thumping drums and bass throughout, with a great solo. There’s a cool breakdown at the end. One of my favorites.
  2. “Ojo Rojo”: This has a great fuzzy twin guitar start.
  3. “Show and Shine”: This comes out strong with a guitar, followed by frantic drumming.
  4. “Mega-Bumpers”: The song starts out with a strong riff, then goes into focusing only on bass and drums for the verses, with everyone joining in on the chorus and breaks.
  5. “Free and Easy (Summer Girls)”: This one has a different sound from the rest of the album, as it’s more psychedelic.
  6. “Superbird”: Back to the fuzzy guitars at the start, with only the drums for the verses. Love the instrumental midway through.
  7. “Shine It On”: This starts with some good cymbals before the guitars kick in.
  8. “Snakebellies”: This is a sweet closer with a good bass groove.

Final Verdict: This is a good debut, but it’s too short.

Grade: B

Deep Dives: Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band Part XX: Letter to You (2020)

This album is the first to feature Jake Clemons, Clarence Clemons’ nephew (Making it their first album recorded together since his death.) It went to #1 in 17 countries, and Gold in 6, with Italy going Platinum.

Members:

Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar, harmonica

Nils Lofgren: guitar, vocals

Steven Van Zandt: guitar, vocals

Garry Tallent: bass, vocals

Max Weinberg: drums, vocals

Roy Bittan: piano, vocals

Charles Giordano: organ, vocals

Jake Clemons: saxophone

Patti Scialfa: vocals

The Tracks:

  1. “One Minute You’re Here”: This seems like an odd one to start with, as it’s not a bombastic song like the one that follows it. This is a song that reminds you death could come at any time. Bittan’s piano is beautiful.
  2. “Letter to You”: This one feels more like it should’ve been the opener, as now the full band is on display. The song is Bruce taking all his hardships and doubts.
  3. “Burnin’ Train”: The narrator of this song is another one of Springsteen’s losers at love. It’s got a good guitar solo.
  4. “Janey Needs a Shooter”: This song actually dates all the way back to The Wild, The Innocent, and the E. Street Shuffle. Janey is a woman who’s had more than one lover, a doctor and a policeman.
  5. “Last Man Standing”: This song makes reference to the classic Christian hymn “Rock of Ages”, the song about leaning on God’s strength.
  6. “The Power of Prayer”: One of my favorite songs. This song is about how prayers connect us to our collective spirit and community. Another nice piano, and Jake sounds great too.
  7. “House of a Thousand Guitars”: This is a reminder that we’ve listened to too many lies and let the wrong people divide us.
  8. “Rainmaker”: This is a song about Charles Hatfield, a snake oil peddler who claimed to control the weather, and preyed on the fears of his day, a drought.
  9. “If I Was the Priest”: This song has been around since the 70’s as well. It’s another one of his songs attacking the faith of his youth. It’s about those who are pretenders to their faith.
  10. “Ghosts”: This song seems like a tribute to Clarence, as if he hasn’t left the band at all. Our true friends never leave us, even in death.
  11. “Song For Orphans”: This is for runways who’ve left to pursue dreams, almost as if they were taken by them.
  12. “I’ll See You in My Dreams”: Death bookends the album, in a year that saw many claimed by a pandemic. Final Verdict: This was a heartfelt album that came at the right time. It was one of my favorite albums from that year. Grade: A

Deep Dives: Bruce Springsteen Part XIX: Western Stars (2019)

Western Stars is the most recent solo album recorded by Bruce Springsteen. It went to #1 in 13 countries, reaching Gold in four.

Musicians:

Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitars, glockenspiel, synth strings, banjo, percussion, organ, piano, celeste, Mellotron

Ron Aniello: upright bass, piano, guitar, percussion, vibraphone, bass guitar, synth strings, orchestral sample, drums, organ, celeste, backing vocals

Alden Banta: bassoon (3, 4)

Jon Brion: drums (13), timpani (10, 11), electric guitar (4), synthesizer (4, 5, 11) celeste (13)

Lenny Castro: conga (4, 5) tambourine (4, 11), shaker (5, 11)

Matt Chamberlain: drums (2, 4, 12)

Barry Danielian: trumpet (3-5, 7, 8, 11)

Rachel Drehmann: French horn (2-4, 7, 10)

Charles Giordano: accordion (5), piano (9)

Curtis King: backing vocal (4)

Rob Lebret: electric and baritone guitar (4)

Greg Leisz: pedal steel guitar

Marc Muller: lap steel guitar (4), pedal steel guitar (6, 7, 12)

Gunnar Olsen: drums (3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11)

Patti Scialfa: backing vocals (2, 8, 9, 11)

David Sancious: piano (2), organ (6)

Matt Rollings: piano (3, 4, 8, 13)

Marty Rifkin: pedal steel guitar (13)

Soozie Tyrell: backing vocals (2, 8, 9), violin (9)

Michelle Moore: backing vocals (4, 11)

Cindy Mizelle: backing vocals (4)

Matthew Koma: backing vocals (11)

Curt Ramm: trumpet (2-5, 8, 11) flugelhorn (2)

Clark Gayton: trombone (5, 8, 11)

Dan Levine: trombone:(3, 4)

Ed Manion: saxophone (5)

Rachel Drehmann and Leelanee Sterrett: French horn (2-4, 7, 10)

Andrew Sterman: alto flute (3, 4)

Charles Pillow: oboe (3, 4)

Luis Villalobos: violin (6, 10)

Avatar Strings (1, 7, 8, 10, 12)

Stone Hill Strings: (2-4, 6, 11)

The Tracks:

  1. “Hitch Hikin'”: The album opens with a carefree and aptly-named song about hitchhikers rambling through life.
  2. “The Wayfarer”: This song is about a man whose wanderlust has kept him from a grounded home.
  3. “Tucson Train”: This is one of my favorites. It’s about forgiving yourself.
  4. “Sleepy Joe’s Cafe”: This is about a restaurant in California owned by an ex-soldier.
  5. “Drive Fast (The Stuntman)”: This is about a stunt driver looking back on the risks of his job.
  6. “Chasin’ Wild Horses”: This is about the futility of running from the past.
  7. “Sundown”: This is about a man living in a town called Sundown, a place he no longer wants to be.
  8. “Somewhere North of Nashville”: This is a great song about a man whose music has taken over his love.
  9. “Stones”: This one has some nice horns and takes place in the tundra. The stones represent lies the narrator has been told throughout their life.
  10. “There Goes My Miracle”: This has some of Bruce’s best vocals on the album, conveying the heartbreak of the story well.
  11. “Hello Sunshine”: This is one of the few happy-sounding songs, about a man who is content with being a loner.
  12. “Moonlight Motel”: The closing song is about a romantic journey.

Final Verdict: When I first heard this album, I didn’t like how depressing it was. But I don’t think it’s a bad album. It’s just not one I like listening to.

Grade: C

Deep Dives: Bruce Springsteen Part XVII: Wrecking Ball (2012)

Wrecking Ball went to #1 in 14 countries. It was nominated for 3 Grammies, and was Rolling Stone’s Album of the Year.

Musicians:

Bruce Springsteen: vocals, guitar, piano, organ, drums, percussion

Ron Aniello: guitar, bass, keyboards, backing vocals, hurdy gurdy, percussion

Marc Muller: pedal steel guitar

Tom Morello: guitar

Greg Leisz: banjo, mandola, lap steel guitar

Matt Chamberlain: drums and percussion

Max Weinberg: drums

Steve Jordan: percussion

Kevin Buell: percussion

Charlie Giordano: piano, B-3 organ, accordion, celesta

Rob Lebret: guitar, backing vocals

Steve Van Zandt: mandolin, backing vocals

Darrel Leonard: trumpet, bass trumpet

Curt Ramm: trumpet, corner

Clark Gayton: trombone

Stan Harrison: clarinet, alto and tenor sax

Ed Manion: tenor and baritone sax

Dan Levine: alto horn, euphonium

Art Baron: euphonium, tuba, sousaphone, penny whistle

Clarence Clemons: sax

Soozie Tyrell: violin, backing vocals

Patti Scialfa, Lisa Lowell, Michelle Moore, Cindy Mizelle, Ross Peterson, Clif Norrell, Antoinette Savage, Corinda Carford, Tiffany Andrews, Soloman Cobbs, and Lilly Brown: Backing vocals

The Tracks:

  1. “We Take Care of Our Own”: This has a nice march tempo, and feels truly patriotic. One of my favorites. It’s a reminder that we are a better country than we sometimes seem.
  2. “Easy Money”: Another march tempo with some nice violins at the end. The narrator is a criminal who isn’t out for a last resort, he is gleeful.
  3. “Shackled and Drawn”: This is a stomping song about the satisfaction of good honest work.
  4. “Jack of All Trades”: This is a sad song about a man willing to do menial jobs, even after a storm destroys it all.
  5. “Death to My Hometown”: A favorite song about a man who is losing his town, but isn’t willing to give up.
  6. “This Depression “: In 2016, Springsteen confessed his bouts with depression. Songs like this make me wonder why he took so long to finally say something. Love the guitar at the end.
  7. “Wrecking Ball”: This is a song about a stadium that is being destroyed. The horns and organs are beautiful.
  8. “You’ve Got It”: This is a poppy song that feels out of place from the rest of the album, but it’s fine. It’s a good love song.
  9. “Rocky Ground”: In Mark’s gospel, the sower is planting seeds on different ground. Some are able to rise up strong, but others are weakened. This song has a beautiful gospel feel, as Bruce calls to shepherds to lead their flock.
  10. “Land of Hope and Dreams”: This song has recently been rereleased. It’s one of Clarence Clemons’ last performances, and a fitting farewell. It makes me hope for a world that is better than the one we have now. I like the references to ” This Train”, and one of my all-time favorite songs, “People Get Ready”.
  11. “We Are Alive”: This has a feel similar to Johnny Cash as it sings about victims of riots and bombings.
  12. “Swallowed Up (In the Belly of the Whale)”: This song may be a bonus track, but it doesn’t feel out of place, even though it has less instrumentations than the previous songs. It’s an obvious reference to Jonah, as it reminds us to be resilient under the hatred that makes the good people disappear.
  13. “American Land”: This is a song that wouldn’t feel wrong if it were sung by Dropkick Murphys. Fitting, since it’s a song about immigrants making a new home.
  14. Final Verdict: I like the hopefulness of most of the songs on this album. With the current political climate, this is music I needed.

Grade: A

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