Album Review: Born Ugly – The Muggs

You know what to expect from a Muggs record. Heavy blues. Psychedelia. Obvious influences. But what sets The Muggs apart from hoards of other blue-eyed-blues bands are the more subtle, yet distinct, qualities of their songs. There’s the natural reverb that Protools plug-ins can only dream of achieving. There’s the Fender Rhodes bass, delivering a low-end that’s as heavy as it is smooth. And there are the not-so-obvious influences. Anybody with WCSX preset on their car stereo can identify the Zeppelin-y, Beatles-y parts of the album, but more educated listeners can pick out nods to Howlin’ Wolf and Humble Pie.

Born Ugly, The Muggs’ third LP, is the band’s first full-length release with new drummer Todd Glass. While Glass may be a relative newcomer to the balls-out rock trio, his rolling drum fills and aggressive snare hits make a snug fit behind Dan Methric’s dirty, reverb-laden guitar riffs and Tony DeNardo’s melodic, locked-in bass lines. The title track, first on the album, comes on like fireworks, with a heavy hitting build-up that culminates in drawn-out minor chords, wailing vocals, and perfectly-tweaked feedback. The dynamite dynamic between Methric and DeNardo is evident in their harmonically-complementing guitar and bass lines.

Next up is “Blood Meridian,” a brighter, crunchier track than its predecessor, driven by Methric’s frantic vocals. His dreamy-yet-abrasive voice sounds like a cross between Brian Connolly and Ozzy Osbourne, spiked with an all-American sense of cockiness. “Home Free,” the album’s third song, ventures into more mellow, visceral territory, but the boys don’t slow down for long. The next track, “Clean Break Blues,” picks up with Methric’s otherworldly slide guitar talents.

While the thirteen tracks on Born Ugly retain the classic blues-rock sentiment that makes The Muggs The Muggs, they also cover more ground than the band’s previous albums. There are more vocal harmonies than before, more depth in the layers of guitar tracks, more attention paid in the production. “Hats Off to Mr. Beardsley” is a stand-out ballad, with spacey riffs that absolutely mesmerize.

The Muggs’ have one of the most loyal fan bases around, and they remain so because The Muggs, in turn, are loyal to their fans. This is a band that sticks to its smoking hot guns. They don’t waste time trying to “find themselves.” They’re not exploring their “spiritual” side. They’re not going to alienate any fans with an “experimental” album. In sum: they do what they do best.

The Muggs sound best at summer festivals, and this album almost had me tasting cheap beer and feeling a hot breeze on bare shoulders. Their new LP will hold me over until the summer season kicks off.

Born Ugly is available this Friday, April 29, on vinyl, CD, and downloads. The release party is also this Friday at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, with The Hentchmen and Magic Jake & the Power Crystals. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door, 18+ welcome.