In a lot of ways it would be easy to call Mammoth Mammoth a derivative band. After all, they named their new EP Mammoth Bloody Mammoth after a Black Sabbath record and this EP features a cover of cult classic MC5's "Kick Out The Jams." In many ways there was always supposed to be derivative elements in what Mammoth Mammoth do anyway. Nevertheless, I sincerely believe that they're creating something pretty exciting with their new EP, and though it may feature a few too many classic rock tropes, it's hard not to enjoy what's happened here.
I'm not just talking about the really nifty psychedelic closing track "Dead Sea" either, even though that song makes me feel funny things and hints at the true greatness of Mammoth Mammoth. The reason that Mammoth Bloody Mammoth resonates is that even though there is a lot of old school fuzz rock worship here, it puts it into a twenty first century context. Did Budgie do it better back in the day? Yes. But this is what we have now and you can take it or leave it and as for me, I'm pretty darn content.
Given how much raw chaos permeates the Mammoth Mammoth sound it's kind of hard not to be at least charmed with what they are doing here. Does it allow for some sloppiness to sneak through? Sure. But in other ways the gently pulsing magic of the album opener "Taste Your Blood" is a great example of the freaked out weirdness that we are going to need if we want rock and roll to succeed in the twenty first century. Mammoth Mammoth are some bad motherfuckers, and they have cool ideas; watching them develop will be a pleasure.
Overall: 7/10
