If you’ve been waiting for a rock’n’roll album that’s going to save your soul (released in 2014, anyway), then here it is. Holy smokes. Sulfur City is a powerhouse of grunge, punk, and soul. There are plenty of people out there who are trying to do something similar, but nobody’s nailing it like these guys.
Lori Paradis steals the show with her Patti Smith yowl and tortured blueswoman depth. Pick a great female vocalist of the late 20th century — I think Paradis could go head-to-head with her with some confidence, even if she wouldn’t win. But Sulfur City’s real secret weapon is its songwriting. I find that a lot of “psych blues” bands tend to be more excited by the novelty of mixing the two genres than the music itself. Sulfur City, on the other hand, actually has something to say. I’m most struck by “On My Knees.” Lyrically, it’s as simple as it can get, but even without the band’s ferocious delivery it’s striking:
Help I said to the Lord
Help I said to my Lord
Help I said to my Lord
Won’t you hear me now
I’m on my knees praying hard
I’m on my knees praying oh so hard
I’m on my knees praying hard
Won’t you hear me now
I’m screaming out for my soul
I’m screaming out for my soul
I’m screaming out for my soul
Won’t you hear me now
I’m blind to all things that are well
I’m blind to all things that are well
I’m blind to all things that are well
Cause Lord I’m not well
The devil’s got me in his song
The devil’s got me in his sweet sweet song
The devil’s got me in his song
Won’t you hear me now
Help I say to the Lord
Help I say to my sweet sweet Lord
Oh help I say to the Lord
Won’t you hear me now…
This is the rock album we’ve all been waiting for. It may even be the one we deserve.