King Khan & The Shrines: The Supreme Genius Of

Label: Vice

Counfoundingly, King Khan is at once the best kept secret and most prolific pillar of what we’ll just call “garage rock” for the last ten years. Releasing multiple records a year from multiple projects, be it the Shrines, a duo with swampy soul-mate BBQ or a myriad of guests spots, it’s a wonder the man hasn’t scored more indie renowned or at least an iPod commercial by now. Equal parts James Brown wail, Nuggets-style fuzz and nostalgic bubble-gum R&B, King Khan cultivates a retro sound that shifts from shack-shaking to slowdance, always with undercurrents of humor and desperation. The Supreme Genius Of acts as a ramshackle best-of, smattered with choice cuts from unsung releases of the past several years, with a few new numbers in the mix as well. The result is actually supreme genius, or at least a top-shelf party record. The 16 tracks blur by, with highlights in the hilarious “Took My Lady To Dinner”, the party-starting “Sweet Tooth” and a pristine cover of laid-back soul classic “Crackin’ Up”. It’s time to let the cat out of the bag and start picking up what these guys have been laying down for a while now. (Fred)