Hey kids! Missing those great "Nuggets" styled garage/pop/psych bands of the 60's? The MAHARAJAS let it rip with lyrics like, "I need some loneliness. Some space to call my own. Stay away, cuz I got nothing to say!" They have a dark, brooding quality that reminds me of the ZOMBIES ("She's Not There"). They even use an organ with the same effects. I hear the 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS in there. Even bands like THE OUTSIDERS, THEM, SEEDS, STANDELLS, and CHOCOLATE WATCHBAND rear their heads on this. One tune even sounds like "Ain't Nothin' But A Houseparty" by J GEILS BAND with different lyrics. They have great vocal harmony, the guitar tone is just right, and the drums are perfect. It all has that brooding garage punk sound with that great pop psych sound. It reminds me a lot of the first COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS album. Particularly when ballady tunes like "Dead" are going. God these guys have 'got it"! I guarantee there ain't a dry crotch in sight when these fellas get done layin' it down.

This is par excellence for this genre. So many bands try to play this shit by mimicking bands that are mimicking it already. THE MAHARAJAS go all the way back and dig up the roots. You don't get great guitar intros like the one in "Taste Of Tears" without knowing your shit. Man and they got a crooner on board! I don't mean that bullshit kind of lounge singin' crap. We're talkin' that teenage frustration and lust kinda warble that makes it all the more authentic. Read Lester Bang's piece on the merits of sexual repression (that might have been the name of it) and you'll see why it makes for good music. "I Won't Die" is tough as hell! Sounds like the SONICS with the Davies brothers writing the guitar bits. "Everybody's gonna die except me! I won't die!" (Cue kick ass distorto demented geetar raunch!) This is seriously the best thing I've heard from the "garage" scene in forever. This is up there with the previously mentioned COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS album, "The Good Times Are Killin' Me" by HEADCOATS, etc. They even finish up with a ballady sad tune. They're killin' me over here! What a great album! If you think the WHITE STRIPES are garage you should first pull your head out of your ass, then buy this album pronto! Then buy one of them there "Nuggets" box sets I hear they have out. After you've done these three things I expect a thank you email.

- Two Tub Tony

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/themaharajas

RELATED ITEMS: MAHARAJAS interview