Bad music makes my ears sad. And this is very bad music indeed. Which is really quite the mystery on account of ‘Danger! High Voltage’ and ‘Gay Bar’ both being completely terrific records. Who among us didn’t fall in love with the comedic rock’n’roll antics of this Detroit based five-piece? So funny, with their amusing lyrics, memorable guitar riffs and mild sexual deviancy. A joy to listen to. Like a modern-day Rocky Horror Picture Show. Only a joy to listen to.

But a pony with only two tricks is a sad pony indeed, and two tricks are all that this particular pony has to offer. There is sadly nothing new here that’s going to excite or titillate in the same way as the band’s first two singles. ‘Dance Commander’ makes an amiable sort of effort but ultimately falls short. ‘Naked Pictures of Your Mother’ makes a much more disagreeable effort which also falls short, only more so. The remaining songs sound very much like a Spinal Tap megamix, only without the irony.

Playing this album at home on my stereo I find myself furtively turning the volume down every so often, just in case my downstairs neighbours overhear what I’m listening to. I think if they do hear they will surmise that I am either silly and frivolous or slightly retarded for a twenty-nine year old. This does not bode well for the Electric 6 I think. Today zany chart toppers, tomorrow party favourites at schools for kids with special needs. Not good. Not good at all.

words: Shaun Macartney