After over a decade spent turning out sleazy rock albums to a largely indifferent public, 50s throwback Jon Spencer has finally consented to give the formula a bit of a twist. Polished up beyond recognition, Spencer's swaggering garage-punk tunes now have proper structures, thought-out lyrics and a hi-fi production that makes them rather more worthy of his self-professed heroes Muddy Waters and Royal Trux. He still makes an almighty racket, mind, and the suspicion lingers that this is one explosion that's best experienced live. Even so, with celebrity friends Dr John and Elliot Smith popping up to act as civilising influences, the old charmer sounds more accessible than he's ever done before. A true survivor, and one who deserves a lot more respect than he's usually given.

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