THE GO
self-titled (Lizard King)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

---

The Go released a great CD, Whatcha Doin', back in 1999 on Sub Pop, and I thought it was one of the best things SP had released in ages. A perfect blend of Detroit Stooges/MC5 garage rawk and '60s Motown sound. Since that release, the band lost guitarist Jack White whose side-band the White Stripes became media darlings and the recipients of massive hype. The Go recovered admirably, adding a new second guitarist and a recorded this new CD for the British Lizard King label. This is a little more "rock and roll" than their debut, bringing in a lot of Exile On Main Street influence, slide guitars and a bluesier feel, especially on songs like "Come Back." There's also great flirtations with a sorta '70s glamrock sound on some songs like "American Pig." "Blue Eyes Woman" and "Hardened Heart Blues" sounds like they're channeling Marc Bolan. With its distorted vocals, and blues-funk edge, with "Summer's Gonna Be My Girl" the Go show they know how to get down with the best of them.

© 2003 - Alan Wright