SATAN’S SATYRS

The Lucky Ones BAD OMEN

Southern US retro-rockers trip out with greater clarity

These shaggy Virginians have been gradually honing a psychotropic scuzzbucket sound that started out in 2010 like Black Flag and Electric Wizard motorbiking around Spahn Ranch on brown acid. On their fourth lP, Satan’s Satyrs swagger with cocksure rock heroism towards wider horizons. If their previous records sometimes felt like a ragged free-for-all, tipping over into chaotic derangement, The Lucky Ones brings some control, discipline and lucidity – even some melody – to bear on SS’s fuzz-encrusted freakout trip, with catchier tunes and punchier sound echoing more accessible spirits like Hellacopters or Fu Manchu. Clayton’s vocals are more upfront and charismatic, musical ideas are more fully formed, and there’s a dirty bubblegum streak underpinning elephantine floor-fillers like You And Your Boots and Pulp Star, as well as a predominant hipswinging mid-tempo that goes straight for the heart, soul and balls. FOR FANS OF: CATHEDRAL, ECLECTIC WIZARD, BLUE CHEER

CHRIS CHANTLER