THE AMINO ACIDS are from outer space, or so J.R. "Bob" Dobbs tells me. Yes, these DEVO-ted devivalists are a fucked up cacophony of surfing saucers flying over the town of Roswell. Evading the black helicopters with stealth and slack, they manage to follow up their last album "Destroy The Warming Sun" with this 22 track set and it's good. It's not as MAN OR ASTROMAN as their previous release or the demos. This one is a bit more like how I once described them, "Like the DEAD KENNEDYS without the vocals covering SABBATH with a touch of DEVO".

These bowling interstellar overdrivers have already invaded Uranus and now aim for yer ears. There's plenty of hot aural action here as they do what they do best. The only downside is: if you've never seen them, some of this may not translate as well (because we earthlings usually require a vocal to go along with things - and I'm guilty of it as well).The one thing that keeps me interested is samples almost serve the same purpose as vocals in introducing the songs. They also use interludes like the backwards track on "Band #11". And with the songs averaging a bit over a minute, you don't have time to get sick of the same repetitive riff because they just don't overindulge. In the time I started typing this I have gone thru 8 tracks again and am on number nine, number nine, number nine, number... Oh forget it.

Regardless, if hi-speed surf punk done by spastic Subgenius aliens sounds of interest I recommend you first see them live (they've been touring a lot) or watch one of their videos, then pick this up. I think it will translate better if you do those things first. I think the band is aware as well, because they spent a lot of time making this package visually exciting. But, without the above, it might be hard to imagine space weirdos doing their thing with a whole mess of televisions, inundating you with images from B movies about their family members and the overall spastic feel of the live show.

The only downer to this thing is that "Fear The Future" is not on it. And it should be on all of their records. Because that song is fucking incredible. Seriously.

- Two Tub Tony

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/theaminoacids

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