Whenever
Brant Bjork releases a new album as a solo artist or as a member of a band, it's a crapshoot as to what musical style will be included in its grooves. Will it be
Santana-like funk jams (the great
Jalamanta), stoner/desert rock (
Kyuss' classic
Blues for the Red Sun), or vicious gutter punk (
Mondo Generator's
A Drug Problem That Never Existed)? On his 2004 solo outing,
Local Angel,
Bjork throws another wild card onto the table, as the album is a mellow, bare-bones affair. And while the music is laid-back, the music is unmistakably
Brant Bjork -- especially evident in his trademark jive-talkin' lyrics. While a few songs may have benefited from more volume and a beefed-up backing band (such as "Bliss Ave"),
Bjork's deconstructed approach is showcased on such standouts as "Beautiful Powers" and "Hippie," while he gets to indulge his longtime
Jimi Hendrix fetish, with a cover of "Hey Joe." More than ever,
Local Angel proves that
Bjork is a modern-day
David Bowie of sorts -- he's constantly shifting gears. Don't be surprised if his next album contains a string orchestra. ~ Greg Prato