Black Lips - “Get It On Time”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Ween, Deer Tick, Thee Oh Sees

Nearing two decades since their debut, Atlanta garage rock band Black Lips released arguably their strongest full-length this year with Sing In A World That’s Falling Apart, leaning into their country and Americana side without losing the punk grit that defines that band’s sound. When a rock band does a country record, it can often sound tongue-in-cheek, but Black Lips feel weirdly genuine on this unexpected musical tangent. It’s not a complete deviation however - Black Lips always maintained a Southern-rock nucleus within their otherwise loose, gritty sound, but by moving out of their DIY box to lush slide guitars and percussive rambles, it gives their top-notch songwriting extra attention. Whiskey-soaked nonchalance intersect with a barroom rumble on Sing In A World, creating a vibe that is half druggy and half spaghetti Western, even taking a turn on reflective balladry in highlight “Get It On Time”. It’s honestly impressive alone that Black Lips are willing take such a big and committed leap this late into their career, an effort so successful that it gives an opportunity to reassess the power of the deep and varie back catalogue. (Kevin McStravick)