This cult fave Japanese trio already released an album called “Heavy Rocks” in 2002. But the members of Boris have never worried about pulling from the past: Their recorded output during the past 15 years has channeled a number of established styles, from doom metal to thrash punk to power pop. The appealingly schizoid approach isn’t unlike that of America’s Melvins, whose 1991 song “Boris” provided the band with its name. On the new “Heavy Rocks,” Boris makes no effort to hem in that sound, pairing such expansive sludge-fests as “Riot Sugar” and the 12-minute “Missing Pieces” with the zippy, relatively tuneful “Window Shopping” and “Tu, La La,” the latter of which suggests the Mars Volta covering Thin Lizzy. “Heavy Rocks” arrives in the marketplace along with “Attention Please,” a lower-key companion album that showcases the coolly resigned singing of lead guitarist Wata. Surprised? Don’t be.
Boris, “Heavy Rocks/Attention Please”
This cult fave Japanese trio already released an album called “Heavy Rocks” in 2002. But the members of Boris have never worried about pulling from the past: Their recorded output during the past…
– Album Review
3.5 STARS