The Upper Crust, 'Revenge for Imagined Slights' (Camp Street)
18th-century aristos still cracking us up.
By Doug Brod 05.20.09 10:55 AM
For hard-rock jokers with one very specific gag -- performing as puffy-shirted dandies -- this Boston quartet keeps coming up with great punch lines. On their fifth studio album in 14 years, the humor is mostly broad (“Lackey, bring me bonbons, although I have no appetite,” a spurned Lord Bendover laments) and rarely subtle (the sublimely awkward extended intro to “Long Table for Two”). But by expanding their usual arsenal of AC/DC-style stompers and Ramones-y pogos to include funk-metal, opium-den psych, and jammy balladeering, they create songs that -- no joke -- would kick even if they didn’t concern pederasty, oenophilia, and the dangers inherent to generations of inbreeding.
I had never heard of The Upper Crust until they played the Craig Ferguson show and they blew me away! I immediately bought this album and their 06 release "Cream of the Crust". both of these albums are what rock 'n roll has been missing since the Ramones left us... Humor and attitude. The Upper Crust is an awesome band that needs much much more exposure.
Premise aside, they are an amazing group of musicians with an ability to write catchy, rockin' songs about being privileged. Entitled (their double live album) is a good place to start for the unacquainted.
So please-Buy every UpperCrust album available. Buy extra copies and give them to your friends. Attend their live shows. Join the posh pit!
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