The American People
Because We Can (Pez)
Reviewed by Christopher Gray, Fri., June 29, 2001
The American People
Because We Can (Pez)
No energy crisis here! Because We Can squeezes 17 songs into 50 minutes of mod-leaning garage groove, with a lyrical slant that comes across like the Weathermen disguised as the Banana Splits. Frontman Mike McCoy (Cher UK) supplies bon mots that target cell-phone-era bugaboos ("American Businessman," "Ozone Day") and cynically zooms in on the local routines of being a broke-ass musician and all-around "1900s Man"; "Mexico Song" is an especially needed swipe at overly sincere, stubble-chinned singer-songwriters. Even better, no missile shield can deflect McCoy's musical mates from hitting their marks. "I Shot You Down" and "Old Salt" are both braised in the warm California sun of Pet Sounds, and Jacob Schulze (Dismukes) lays so much trippy Farfisa into the broke-ass blues of "I'm Poor" and "Summer Lube," it totally redefines the term joint chiefs. Guitarist Robbie Araiza (Doenuts), bassist Hunter Darby (Dung Beatles), and drummer Susie Martinez (Hormones) step it up for rockers like the Icicle Works cover "Whisper to a Scream," consumer-baiting "Japanese Speakers," and Ramones-to-the-core "Teenagers 'R' Assholes," which suggests the proper remedy for today's pervasive pop-star mentality is to "take it out on the babysitter." "PSA USA," with its looped admonition "whatever you do, don't put that in your ass" and sluggishly twisted musical bed, even hints at the oft-disturbing studio tomfoolery of past Trance Syndicate offerings. Overall, Because We Can is irresistible American pop that labels President Bush a "punk-ass bitch." Something tells me the Europeans would eat this shit up.
