True to the Arrco label's roster, the debut full-length from
the Carlsonics is a slab of big and sludgy yet melodic garage rock with a British Invasion mod groove. Combining the grit of the Stooges and the rock & roll pomp of
the Who, these Washington, D.C., noisemakers kick it like it's Detroit at the dawn of the '70s ("Fucked Up and Out of Line" with its "MIA in the U.S.A." verse could be
Iggy). Sure, it doesn't sound entirely innovative, but innovation hardly matters with songs that have a
Between the Buttons-era
Stones vibe ("Ice People") or an unbeatable
Kinks-y jangle ("Tonight We Dine on Fumes"). That said, the best track on the album is "Courage," a dark and slinky surf guitar number that stands out because it is simply the most unique. Garage rock might be the most overdone genre in 2003, but
the Carlsonics have their fuzz and fury down pat. They rock it about as well as
the Hives and the Caesars with an added touch of
Mick Jagger sass that goes a long way. ~ Charles Spano