Archie Bronson Outfit – Coconut

 

With 2006’s aptly titled Derdang Derdang, Archie Bronson Outfit hit a seemingly effortless groove of knuckle-bruising, country-soaked rock with a keen ear for a memorable chorus. You could have conceivably criticised the London trio for milking a one-song blueprint to its limit, but never disputing that song being a beauty in the first place. More of the same would have been a sterile endeavour, and so follow-up Coconut finds the Bronson's proverbial record needle skipping all over the shop. It opens with the hypnotic space-rock freak out Magnetic Warrior then quickly follows it up with stuttering, funk-led single Shark’s Tooth, producer Tim Goldsworthy’s DFA production at its most evident. The common thread throughout Coconut comes back to the band's near-mythical worshipping of old-school guitar riffage and psychedelic, yet accessible vocals. It’s experimental in the face of Derdang Derdang, but the tune is still assuredly king. [Darren Carle]