Fulflej

An actual wack-ass tuba riff would have been an interesting thing to have, but even without out it, Fulflej creates a reasonable enough set of mid-'90s semi-alt-rock with what sure sounds like inspiration from early-'90s shoegazing, as well. Similar to fellow Chicago denizens Catherine, Fulflej owes a certain debt to the Smashing Pumpkins' fusion of styles -- heaven knows opening number "Quite Like This" could be a Siamese Dream B-side, thick crunch, massive, soaring guitar solos, and all. That James Iha and D'arcy make guest appearances makes even more sense, but then again it was their co-owned label Scratchie which released the album in the first place (another Scratchie-connected musician, Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, pops up as well). Singer and main instrumentalist MC No Joke G has a much more breathy, whispery way around singing, though -- those put off by Billy Corgan's wracked screams may find Wack-Ass Tuba Riff a much more tolerable prospect as a result. There are also a lot more overt humor and funny good times -- the various credits and nutty cover art help show that much -- which gives Fulflej more of its own amiable identity. The daffy "Shells" is a good example -- theoretically a love song, it somehow works in lines like "A Santa that kills/Brings presents to his elves" amidst the sweetly entertaining guitar rampage, never piledriving, more like a blissful skip around at high volume. The hilarious, baby-voice-sung anti-materialist slam "Microwave" and the subtly majestic surge of "Senselessness" are two other definite winners. If anyone would be a good comparison to Fulflej in the end, it would be similar post-bliss-out types 12 Rods -- a sign that there's some sort of useful feedback and gaze gene in the upper Midwest. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide