Chased By Martians

Chased by Martians is former Flat Duo Jets' member Dexter Romweber's magnum opus pastiche of old-tyme rock & roll, surf, garage, and rockabilly music. His previous solo album, Folk Songs: Solo Collection, was a collection of roots rock ditties. Here, he's expanded his repertoire and gone for a production style that perfectly fits the various musical styles. Most of the tracks have a perfect aged sound and demented outlook, as if a young Glenn Danzig were unleashed inside Sun Studios in Memphis sometime in the mid-20th century. Want some fuzzed-out guitar, a honky tonk, country-fried version of "The Seeker" (credited to Peter Townsend), and Reverend Horton Heat-style psychobillly (distorted Vox and all)? You got it all here. Romweber's previous band always went for a straightforward garage sound, but this album seems more like a direct tribute to Romweber's influences. There are covers of Charlie Rich, W.C. Handy, Eddie Cochran, the Surfaris, and the aforementioned Who song. From the song title of "Walkin' With Scary Hillbilly Monsters" alone, you get a sense of what he's trying to do here. Romweber himself even appears on the cover with a ghoulish getup. Perfect for any fan of roots or garage rock, or anybody who just likes music with spirit, unearthly or otherwise.