The sophomore album from Heavy Trash — the rollicking rockabilly project from Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray — contains three titles with the word “baby,” two with “I want,” and even one with “ain’t,” so straight off we know it’s either a retro con or inspired revivalism.
Going Way Out with Heavy Trash gets the nod over the duo’s previous album because now the rockabilly classicism is believable; not only are the songs more memorable, but they’re sonic dead ringers for the artists Spencer and Verta-Ray pillage.
There’s some pandering nostalgia here in an Archie Bunker “those were the days” way (see the retro brand-dropping on closer “You Can’t Win”). Otherwise, it’s infectious. “Outside Chance” is pure Nuggets-style garage soul with a nigh-perfect hook. It’s also the finest song on the record, and the best song Heavy Trash will ever write.
“That Ain’t Right” may as well be Johnny Cash with excess slap delay, and has probably been locked in the Sun vaults since 1956 (and also sports a tremendous chorus). Spencer and Verta-Ray have always demonstrated a fanaticism for the old school, but here they represent.
The only misstep is “I Want Oblivion,” a nihilistic mess more consistent with early Blues Explosion (or even Pussy Galore) than Gene Vincent. The song puts the album’s strengths into sharp relief; it’s post-modern rather than post-war.
Anyone with a passing interest in rock ‘n’ roll will find enough gems to justify owning it; the die-hards will eat up the rest anyway. It’s so well crafted and knowingly silly that the dreck is as much of a hoot as the keepers. And they name-check The Gories. Great fun.
– Mike McGovern
Heavy Trash: www.heavytrash.net
Yep Roc Records: www.yeproc.com