Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott recently told radio station Q104 that
rock’s greatest singers don’t have great voices so much as great
character. It would seem that the Black Lips not only wholeheartedly
agree with this sentiment, but also extend the concept to the rest of
the band as well. With its low-fi production, effect-heavy guitars and
adamantly off-key vocals, 200 Million Thousand is an
authentically rough homage to the late-1970s world of heartfelt rock
‘n’ roll. But although the music is great, the Black Lips’ infectious
catchiness and reminiscent sound inevitably leaves its listeners
thinking, “Wait, haven’t I heard this before?
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2009.