"YIHAA" FROM THE METAL OBSERVER!

8,5 / 10 by THE METAL OBSERVER

So this is my first encounter with the Country unto Stoner Rock Swedish collective known as THE MATADORS. Apparantly “Flame The Whisper” is their sophomore effort and their first album was reissued when this album came out, so that’s that. Anyway what we, the listeners, are treated to on this album is sixteen tracks of extremely catchy-danceable-poppy-fun music with equally poppy-catchy-fun lyrics. If you are a fan of THE QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE or MONSTER MAGNET (“Dopes To Infinity” and beyond) you’ll really dig this because I, Sam, am a fan of said bands (more so MONSTER MAGNET) and I find myself liking THE MATADORS a good amount.



Judging by the song titles and lyrical content one can come to the conclusion that THE MATADORS have a humorous edge and that one would be correct. The subject matter is standard sex drugs and/or rock’n’roll and the lyrics reflect the lighter side of substance abuse and sexual excess….you read that right. However the music is serious enough where THE MATADORS can be taken as legitimate musicians who can compose (or write…or jam…whatever) some rockin’ tunes to which one (such as you) can indeed Rock Out.



“Flame The Whsiper” as a whole is surpringsly good. I found myself nodding along with each song, save a few, and was overall very pleased with this release. The highlights include “21st Century Monotony Disco”, “The Fresh”, “Like A Matador” and “Just Like Lucy Said”. All of these songs are seriously Rocked Out and incorporate melodies and acoustics and are just awesome. There are a few buzzkills, such as “Tango De La Muerte” which is unnecessarily boring and monotonous or even the title track which is just guitar work, along with “The Fresh”. But the hit to miss ratio is very high and THE MATADORS scored with “Flame The Whsiper” and created sng great rock songs.



Is it metal? Well no, but it’s great Stoner Rock that really gets the old noggin boppin’, yes I just said noggin boppin’, and overall just makes you feel good. A party record or a road trip record, “Flame The Whisper” was made for those two activities. However it’s enough manly rock to satisfy any open minded rocker’s taste for fun. Not mind blowing, but damn good.

(Online August 4, 2007)