The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

It’s been nearly a decade since Earth-dwellers got their hands on a new record from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and during that time various acts, steeped in similar, rhythm and blues-based sensibilities (*cough* the Black Keys *cough*) have risen up and taken that style to the mainstream. Fine and dandy. Meat And Bone is the band’s answer to this situation and is the sound of a group who are determined to re-assert themselves as the all-conquering kings of the genre. The results are nothing short of spell-binding and the decision to abandon guest stars and needless noodle-ry (which has marred previous efforts) has paid off in spades: trust me, not one among the twelve punk-infused numbers will leave an arse un-wiggled. ‘Black Mold,’ ‘Icecream Killer’ and the fast and frantic ‘Black Thoughts’ all impress. Overall, Meat And Bone is a massive return to form.