Mondo Generator’s major return – album review

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Spencer Cameron, Staff Writer

All of the punks and desert rockers are going to unite with the release of “Mondo Generator’s” long-lost LP from 2010. The album, “Shooter’s Bible,features 13 tracks.

While most of the tracks were re-recorded for their 2012 release “Hell Comes to Your Heart, the songs being released on Friday, February 28 are all the original recordings.

The personnel that recorded this album is vastly different compared to their earlier records. Founding member, Nick Oliveiri, is the only member from the original 2000 studio album, “Cocaine Rodeo, to stick around for this recording session.

While the original studio had a ton of power and featured a lineup including legends such as ex-Kyuss bandmates Josh Homme, Brant Bjork and John Garcia, this compilation still holds the same amount of power and thrash the band’s first album did.

This record’s lineup only features Nick Oliveiri, David “Hoss” Wright, Happy-Tom and Dave Grohl all contributed.

Wright recorded the drums and Oliveri wrote the lyrics, guitar and bass parts for every song except “Dog Food,” which is a cover of an Iggy Pop song. “Dog Food” is the only song that featured the other artists on the tracking. Grohl, the front man for the Foo Fighters replaced Hoss Wright on drums and Happy-Tom tracked the bass instead of Oliveri.

The album is really good. If you like any desert rock and gutter-punk, you’ll love this album. The songs sound like they were tracked in a van coasting along the Palm Springs desert. They’re gritty, hard and fast.

The opening song, “Dead Silence,” sounds like early-90’s Kyuss. The prominence of the song lies within its heavy guitar riff and booming bass. Oliveri’s signature screeching vocals give the song a real feeling of heaviness.

A few tracks down we’re greeted with a pleasant-sounding tune with “Smashed Apart.” The intro guitar riff reminds me of early Smashing Pumpkins songs. The clean guitar tone with a fuzzy sounding guitar tracked over it gives it early 90’s grunge vibes. Oliveri’s vocals give it his signature sound, giving the listener a blend of happy and aggressive feelings.

Right after “Smashed Apart,” comes the cover of Iggy Pop’s “Dog Food.” Iggy Pop is the grandfather of punk rock, and this song does it some justice. In fact, Oliveri manages to make it sound even more punk with the gritty guitars. This song features Grohl of Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age on drums.

The final song on the album, “The Last Train” is my personal favorite. This is honestly the only song where you can hear every instrument clearly, as they all have an integral part in the song. The guitar is very catchy, the bass supports the drums and guitar very well, the vocals compliment the hard-rock sound and the drums provide a steady beat for the pace of the song.

My only gripe is that the entire album seems to be aimed at one particular audience. If you don’t like hardcore punk or desert rock, you won’t like this album.

However, if you’re interested in expanding your musical taste, I do recommend this album. To me, this is what music really is. Just grit and passion being put on display for whoever wants to listen.