Steve Turner and his Bad Ideas - New Wave Punk Asshole

Listeners looking for more of the sludgy, blues-saturated roar that propelled Steve Turner's day job, Mudhoney, to indie-rock stardom won't find it here. The premise of his latest side project is all about punk's dumb, fun, and poppy side. Turner's still a master of the garage rock form: his raw, growly, voice holds up well, his guitar tone still packs some satisfying fuzz, and Bad Idea Johnny Sangster's Farsifa is a pleasure to listen to. Steve's omnivorous appreciation of all things rawk also adds some depth to the band's sound; these sixteen economical tracks are shot through with country, rockabilly and Southern rock influences. Still, too many of these tunes seem curiously underwritten, and the Bad Ideas cross the line between "loose" and "slap-dash" at their peril. Worst of all, the album's workmanlike performances lack garage rock's key ingredient: fun. This album sounds like a missed opportunity. [Andrew Monroe]