Artist: Black Lips Album: Let It Bloom

Year: 2005
Duration: 0:0-1

Let It Bloom: A of Black Lips' Wild Rock n' Roll Ride

Rock n' roll never dies, and Black Lips are among the few bands keeping the genre alive. Hailing from Atlanta, this quartet has been delivering garage rock tunes since the early 2000s. Their fifth studio album, Let It Bloom, released in 2005, is regarded as one of their most acclaimed works, with fans praising its raw energy, rebellious spirit, and contagious hooks. In this post, we'll delve deep into the album and give our two cents on everything from its historical and cultural significance, the tracklist highlights, and the album's most innovative aspects, to its weak points and pitfalls. So buckle up, put on some chains, and let's rock n' roll!
Before dissecting the Let It Bloom album, let's get to know Black Lips first. The Atlanta boys, Jared Swilley, Cole Alexander, Joe Bradley, and Ian St. Pe, joined forces in the early 2000s and quickly made a name for themselves as an untamed, raucous, and unpredictable live band. Their shows were notorious for outrageous stunts, like vomiting, nudity, fire-spitting, and smooching audience members. Their sound is heavily influenced by 60s and 70s garage rock, punk, and R&B, with occasional nods to country, psych, and surf rock. Black Lips have released ten studio albums, numerous live recordings, EPs, and singles, and have collaborated with other artists like Mark Ronson, Sean Lennon, and Yoko Ono.
Unlike the polished and overproduced rock albums of the time, Let It Bloom sounds like it was recorded live in a dirty garage. The album starts with Sea of Blasphemy, a classic rock gem with catchy guitar riffs and chorus that will make you want to raise your fist and sing along, I've been baptized in a sea of blasphemy. Stranger follows, a jangly tune that showcases the band's southern-fried twang, and Fairy Stories amps up the tempo with pounding drums, surfy guitars, and a frenzied chorus. Each track feels like a sonic assault and a wild ride, with Black Lips infusing every song with their signature raw energy and reckless abandon. Other standout tracks include MIA, a snarling punk anthem with the band's trademark howling vocals, Dirty Hands, a sleazy and provocative song with a bluesy stomp, and Not A Problem, a melancholic ballad that showcases the band's ability to tone down the chaos and deliver a sensitive and introspective tune.
One of the most innovative aspects of Let It Bloom is Black Lips' ability to fuse various music influences, from garage rock and punk to country and R&B, seamlessly. It's not uncommon to hear influences from bands like The Kinks, The Stooges, and Johnny Cash in the same song or album. This genre-melding is evident in tracks like Oh Katrina, that starts as a somber ballad with jangly guitars and a harmonica before shifting into an upbeat rockabilly tune, complete with hand claps and piano riffs. Hippie Hippie Hoorah is another tune that defies categorization, seamlessly blending elements of punk, surf rock, and psych.
However, Let it Bloom isn't without its flaws. Some tracks, like I Saw God, feel repetitive and lackluster compared to other standout tracks. The album's middle part can also feel numbing at times, with songs that are forgettable and don't add much to the overall experience.
In conclusion, Let It Bloom is a wild and infectious album that captures Black Lips' rebellious spirit and chaotic energy. It's a testament to the band's ability to wield multiple musical influences and create something unique, daring, and unforgettable. While some tracks fall short, the album's high points make up for it, with tunes that range from stomping punk anthems to introspective ballads. If you're a fan of raw, unfiltered, and timeless rock n' roll, Let It Bloom should definitely be in your record collection. It's a wild ride that never loses its charm or edge.