Artist: Black Lips Album: Arabia Mountain

Year: 2011
Duration: 41:24

Arabia Mountain by Black Lips – A

Black Lips is a garage punk band hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, that gained popularity in the early 2000s. They have a reputation for their wild performances, which sometimes include vomiting, nudity, and fireworks. In 2011, they released their sixth studio album, Arabia Mountain, which received mixed reviews. In this post, we'll take a closer look at this album, diving into the music genre, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and our overall critique.
The music genre of Arabia Mountain is garage punk, characterized by its raw, lo-fi production, distorted guitars, and high-energy vocals. The album showcases the band's signature sound but also experiments with different styles, such as surf rock, country, and psychedelic rock. This genre-bending approach adds an element of variety and unpredictability to the album, keeping the listeners engaged.
The best songs of the album include Family Tree, Modern Art, and New Direction. Family Tree kicks off the album with its catchy guitar riff and sing-along chorus. Modern Art is a high-energy track that showcases the band's playful lyricism and tongue-in-cheek humor. New Direction is a standout track that blends garage punk with country twang, creating a unique sound that reflects the band's Southern roots.
One of the most innovative parts of the album is the use of horns and other musical instruments beyond the typical guitar-bass-drums setup. The saxophone on Bicentennial Man adds a jazzy feel, while the trumpet in Go Out and Get It adds a celebratory tone. The use of handclaps and group vocals also enhances the community spirit of the album, as if the band is inviting the listeners to join in the fun.
While Arabia Mountain has its share of catchy hooks and fun moments, it also has its weaknesses. The album's production is intentionally lo-fi, but it can sometimes feel a bit sloppy and disorganized. Some of the tracks lack depth and structure, feeling more like filler than essential songs. The album also lacks a cohesive narrative, making it feel disjointed and unfocused at times.
Overall, Arabia Mountain is an enjoyable album that showcases the Black Lips' unique style and energy. The band's willingness to experiment with different sounds and instruments adds an element of surprise and excitement to the album. However, the album's weaknesses, such as its inconsistent production and lack of cohesion, prevent it from reaching its full potential. Nevertheless, for fans of garage punk and Black Lips, Arabia Mountain is definitely worth a listen.