REVIEW // Black Lips — underneath the rainbow

Punk rock is safely in the hands of ATL’s Black Lips. *****/5

The first album from Black Lips since 2011’s Arabia Mountain finds the boys from Atlanta bringing the snot and snarl that is now synonymous with their persona on Underneath the Rainbow.

Co-produced by the likes of Patrick Carney (Black Keys) and long-time collaborator Ed Rawls, the album continues the group’s suit-and-tie trajectory of the garage rock sub-culture they helped spearhead.

Underneath the Rainbow subtly spans the group’s cultural influences and latches its thorns in your skin, drawing only the slightest hints of blood.

Opening with the hip-shaking 70’s tune, ‘Drive By Buddy.’ The track feels culled from some aspirational biker exploitation film, and sets the tone for the ensuing onslaught.

“Well sister, what’s the matter,
do you hate the life you’ve chose?
Well half way to your heart, goes straight up through your nose…

The boys journey through deep-south grooves with ‘Boys in the Wood’ and arena rock pandering on ‘Dandelion Dust.’ Tracks like ‘Dorner Party’ could easily fall into any of the group’s last few albums.

“I don’t think I’ll run away
Maybe I will some other day…

New and old fans alike will feel that Underneath the Rainbow is a peace pipe, one where all parties involved can thank the gods that punk rock continues to be safely in the capable hands of Black Lips.

*****/5