Lord Tracy
Porn Again Glazed Records

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Comments: If you are not a long-time fan of Lord Tracy, that’s on you. Back in 1989 they unleashed Deaf Gods of Babylon, one of the most innovative, diverse and irreverent hard rock releases of the decade. It’s simmered in its cult status for two decades now, but the guys are back together and writing new music again, and leave it to them to bypass the double-entendre and just slam you over the skull with their new CD title, Porn Again.

If you want a claim to fame of the band, lead singer Terry Glaze was the original voice of Pantera, back when they were a classic heavy metal band and not the aggressive, shouty, rabid Thrash Metal juggernaut they became under Anselmo’s “guidance.” Glaze’s influences, while back in his Pantera days were probably Halford and Dickinson, are more rock-based, with Cheap Trick being one of his and the band’s biggest influences.

Porn Again begins with “I Should’ve Known,” with bassist Kinley Wolfe (ex-The Cult) leading the charge with this thick, groovy and adept playing style. In Glaze’s recent interview with Hardrock Haven, he basically says that the band is so talented that they don’t worry about musicianship and instead focus on the song itself – they have nothing to prove as musicians. This allows them to write straight ahead Rock hits without worrying of they need a breakdown here, a drum solo there, a three-minute guitar solo after the second chorus, etc. Chris Craig on drums does play some pretty spectacular fills regardless, and Glaze tears into a couple shrieks that will remind you of what he could do back in 1989.

If you like The Ramones, you are going to dig the opening riff on “Jinx.” It sounds pretty close to “The KKK Took My Baby Away,” but once the vocals start, comparisons end. They’ve got a noisy Punk vibe slathered across this composition, and as a live song, it’d easily get the crowd involved, because you have to guzzle alcohol and dance simultaneously when hearing this kind of music.

“Know Me” allows Craig to intro the song again, with Wolfe’s groovy style making everything somewhat slinky. Completely comfortable playing Classic Rock, you could even compare this song to something Enuff Z’Nuff has created in recent years. Guitarist Brian Harris doesn’t just play chunky riffs on this one, but also laces a few deft and soulful leads your way. This could end up a hit for the band.

Speaking of hit potential, “Everything” is as timeless as their debut songs like “Chosen Ones.” Glaze peels away the playfulness from his vocals and nearly croons, and instead of rockin’ the house, it’s acoustic guitar and a soft beat. Talk about poppy, the chorus of “I can’t give you much, but I want to give you everything,” is just one mammoth hook. If you listen to the CD just once, this is probably the song that’ll stick in your head.

Lord Tracy doesn’t really care about being fit into a genre. If you’ve heard Deaf Gods of Babylon, they recorded a rap song (3HC) and a Thrash song (Piranha). So on Porn Again, when you get a Southern Rock track in “Friends,” well, expect the unexpected. This is the kind of song Kid Rock crossed genres and sold millions of singles on, a slightly repetitive, slow, good ol’ Southern-fried acoustic track.

The band shot a video for the burner “Wondermilk,” and it’s a good one. It captures their live energy, they sheer insanity, and of course, the song is a two-minute scorcher. Helloween had their keeper of the seven keys, and Lord Tracy wonders on this one “is she the keeper of the Wondermilk?” Whatever that means doesn’t matter, but you can probably figure it out …

“Wank 2000” is one time Wolfe sort of reminds you what they excel as musicians, with a bass solo. At only 50 seconds, it isn’t masturbatory, and actually fits the CD and flows into the final song “Messin Around.” Out of the all the guitar solos, this is where Harris really tears into a lengthier solo and more edgy leads, and you can hear why the band brought him into the fold.

Porn Again is not the reincarnation of Deaf Gods of Babylon. When a couple decades go by, even the leaders of Lord Tracy mature slightly. So, you aren’t going to find anything overtly nonsensical on Porn Again. Then again, because they stick to a more Rock N’ Roll delivery the whole way through, everything just sounds more cohesive. It really comes down to great songs, superior vocals, and the sort of barely-controlled manic energy Lord Tracy has always played with and somehow captures in the studio. Porn Again is raw, yet polished, and that’s just because these guys are so damn good at what they do.

www.lordtracy.com

Track Listing:
1 I Should've Known
2 Jinx
3 Too Much
4 Know Me
5 Everything
6 Friends
7 Long Way to Go
8 Wondermilk
9 Man in Japan
10 Number One Fan
11 Can't Be Wrong
12 Outta Site
13 Wank 2000
14 Messin Around

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.1/10