Richard BodinIf there is one constant in the rock ‘n’ roll landscape over the past four decades that you know won’t disappoint, it is Jon Spencer. Whether with Pussy Galore, Boss Hog or the legendary Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, you can always count on the man to bring raw, uncompromising rock ‘n’ roll. Over the years he has perfected a volatile blend of blues, punk and garage rock. A blend that would be best described by the name of his most famous band: a true blues explosion. His latest album, Songs of Personal Loss and Protest, proves he has lost none of that fire.
A new powerhouse
Since Jon Spencer Blues Explosion went on hiatus in 2016, I have to admit that I approached his solo work and side projects with only moderate enthusiasm. None of them disappointed me—they were all good records—but they never quite delivered the explosive rush I associate with Spencer. Spencer Gets It Lit (with the HIT Makers) came close, but his collaboration with Kendall Wind and Macky Spider Bowman, the rhythm section of The Bobby Lees, finally recaptured that spark.
The trio honed their chemistry on stage for the past few years as when Wind and Bowman became his touring band. Together they recorded the mini-LP Sick of Being Sick in 2024, and already I could feel that energy I was looking for. Songs of Personal Loss and Protest confirms it. This trio has become a genuine powerhouse, one that never feels like a lesser version of the Blues Explosion. That said, reducing Kendall Wind and Macky Spider Bowman to “the new Blues Explosion rhythm section” would be unfair. Both bring their own personality, power and musicianship to the record.
“The answer is always rock n roll”…
On this album, as the title suggests, Spencer explores themes of personal loss against the backdrop of an increasingly chaotic political landscape. He explains:
These past few years, there has been a lot of emotional conflict and personal loss — the passing of time takes its toll. Losing friends, losing family, and all of this set against a world gone topsy-turvy, where it feels like we are losing basic freedoms… I’m trying to balance a lot of things, but the answer is always rock ’n’ roll.
Goddam right…
Jon Spencer is remarkable in that he can explore these serious subjects without losing his essence. True to himself, he shifts effortlessly between spoken word, half-sung verses and full-throated shouting, all delivered with that unmistakable smoky, swaggering voice.Every track is driven by explosive riffs, thunderous bass lines and razor-sharp guitar licks. The music lives somewhere between blues, rock ‘n’ roll, punk and garage rock.
Over before you know it
The album starts with “Fanfare (Another Point Of View)“… A couple of jangly chords are being struck as Spencer’s voice recites the first verse with drums punctuating each line… Then the music really starts somewhere between loud blues, and rock n roll with a good punk vibe. The rhythmic occasionally stops and go, the bass is loud and buzzing, as the lyrics explore the meaning of success, or from another point of view doing something to change things and be free.
After such an icebreaker, the rest of the album unfolds rapidly. So enjoyable that we reach the end before we even know it. “Vermin Attack!” Is an absolute banger between blues and punk, starting with sonic explosion typical with Jon Spencer, where he tells a story of a rats infestation and their eradication. “Hangover”, is one of my favourite. A delicious slow burn rather stripped back, a little dissonant, with a few changes of pace. As the title suggests it feels a bit like a hangover, and Spencer’s meanderings feels a bit like delirium, culminating with the worrying “You will be poked and prodded”…
“Mr Lion” is a curious one. Somehow it reminds of Syd Barretts’s “Effervescing Elephant”: a seemingly playful tale that perhaps hides something darker underneath. But behind the story, I suspect some inspired political allusions: “If you got hate in your heart /then you got hate in your home (…) Hey Mr. Lion Stop acting so tough”.
When Life Catches Up
Unfortunately, it just happened that I had to experience a personal loss of my own as I was in the middle of this review. Suddenly the closing song “No More” was resonating differently. The song is of course an excellent banger but the lyrics gives it all its strength. Spencer enumerates a list of things from trivial to essential, saying there will be no more of these. “No more undershirts, no more dress shirts”…”No more Health checks”, “No more Ocean swims”, “No more pain” … “No More Birthday”… followed by the chorus “Let Go, You can go”… Exhilarating track has much as it is heartbreaking… That takes talent.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know if this Jon Spencer at his best, but it is certainly not far. The energy provided by his two new bandmates seem to lit some fire in him. At a time when this summer has felt surprisingly short of truly exciting new releases, Songs of Personal Loss and Protest arrived exactly when I needed it. It helped me process a difficult moment while reminding me why Jon Spencer remains one of rock’s great survivors.
I can’t wait to see what this new formation will offer in the future. And whether or not they will settle on a new band name, as the long list of names written down and scribbled over on the inner sleeve of the recording seems to suggest. Personally I do like the “Jon Kendall Spider” suggestion that seem to have been singled out…
To Caleb…
Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam
