Search - Karl Hendricks :: Declare Your Weapons

Take up thy "Weapon" and walk!

jersey barrier | fairview heights, ill. | 08/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Karl Hendricks Trio have always been this feisty--but never this confrontational. Now, I normally don't cut right in to opening tracks, but "Like John Travolta"'s scathing heart-to-heart against a girl (friend) or girlfriend who pants and gapes for attention she only fantasizes is hers sounds too damn good to be locked up in a mere studio. Or a garage. But, hey, there's not a whole lot of difference between the two to these guys. It is pure dripping (and burning, like a face full of good ol' hot oil) sarcasm atop a virulently aggressive rhythm section--pretty much just like the other nine songs. Other forceful gems--I'm not very keen on analyzing every song on an album, particularly this one which really doesn't require it--are "Surrender On Demand", "The Smile That Made You Give Up" and the absolutely stunning and cathartic (and not just to Karl Hendricks, I'm sure) "Worst Coffee I've Ever Had". I really can't say enough about "Declare Your Weapons"; stealthfully, like a film noir detective walking into the shadows with a cool confidence that doesn't care if anyone notices him, the best album of 1998."