No matter how many times I've listened to this disc, and it's had quite a few spins now, I can't talk myself out of the early thought that this might just be the best disc I've received for review yet through Peacedogman.

At a mammoth eighteen tracks it's no 'quick' listen but then at no point did I find myself either bored or thinking they repeating themselves excessively. Quite unusual for someone with an attention span that traditionally starts to wane after about 40 minutes. Indeed there is a diversity on display here that can at times have you thinking either a) it's a compilation or b) you've hit shuffle on your iPod. In actual fact it's neither.

Although released through a Dutch label, MOTHER SUPERIOR are actually a Los Angeles based trio with a track record that surprisingly records eight previous albums along with numerous sessions for the likes of HENRY ROLLINS, LEMMY, ALICE COOPER, SPARKS and even EMMYLOU HARRIS.

The experience and know-how gathered through that personal history is born out through tracks like "First Impression", the smog hazed "Today Is The Day" or "Sleep" each of which reminded me of when the BLACK CROWES were essential. Past associations with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE are evidenced especially in the "No One Knows" relative "Great Til '78" but also in the likes of "Left For Dead".

They take a bow to the country-rock genre in the shape of "Let It Go" or "Standing Still" and sit them alongside the punky rant of "Wake Up Call", then impress further when hammering out classic blue collar rock in the shape of the excellent "Stealing My Shadow".

At other times THE WHO will spring to mind ("How Did You Know") or maybe early BOSTON ("I'm Obsessed") but despite all of these passing similarities to the past there remains a uniqueness to the album. An ability to take all of these influences and turn them into something present and relevant in a way that many of the originals struggle to do nowadays.

A quite superb release that's difficult to fault.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.mother-superior.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Three Headed Dog sampler

RELATED ITEMS: MOTHER SUPERIOR - "Moanin", 2005