The Makers
Strangest Parade
Sub Pop
Broadening and sharpening their stylish, raw rock n’ roll for a full decade now, The Makers have come up with what may be their finest hour yet (or a measly 40 minutes if you want to get technical). Picture a punk Jim Steinman working with The The, and you’re close to imagine the sound of great tracks like “Hard to Be Human” and “Calling My Name.” This is introvert indie rock turned full-on epic punk, and it’s as great as it is improbable.
Name-checking Bon Jovi, The Makers may share the oversized rock-drama pretensions with them, but have more in common with Alice Cooper and Siouxsie Sioux on a good day. “Laughter Then Violence” has Johnny Thunders reaching for the E-Street overkill machine, and is four minutes of raving mad brilliance, while “Calling Elvis, John and Jesus” sounds like David Bowie in grandiose punk rock mode.
Somewhat less impressive towards the end of the album, where The Makers seem to rely more heavily on decadent rawk stereotypes, this is still a huge and impressive album that’s unafraid of pulling out all the stops, everywhere and at all times. Glam-punk for the kids. Greatness incarnated.
Sub Pop Records: http://www.subpop.com
