The Warlocks - 'Phoenix' (City Rockers) Released 24/02/03

A rogue band of space rock desperado's, The Warlocks have descended from the Hollywood Hill's and only gone and delivered THE defining album of 2003 to date. One foot firmly in the past (the Velvet Underground / Stooges / Stones comparisons are inevitable), what really marks Phoenix out is it's ability to perfectly encapsulate and condense this history whilst firmly grabbing hold of the present to sound absolutely vital over 10 stunning tracks.

Opener 'Shake The Dope Out', all swirling organs and incessant riffing like Jagger jamming with Jay Spaceman at The Factory, immediately sets the tone as The Warlocks introduce their trademark broad and expansive sound from the outset. With sleazy as hell vocals from lead singer and songwriter Hecksher on 'Hurricane Heart Attack' (Steppenwolfe's 'The Pusher' for the 21st Century) it just gets even better and by the time your immersed in the dreamily sinister west coast pop of 'Baby Blue', after a squall of feedback and a psychedelic sitar lick, you're convinced that The Warlocks are the new rock n'roll messiahs.

Parting fittingly with 15 minutes of experimental white noise in 'Oh Shadie', Phoenix is music made on drugs to take drugs to and so much more. Stunningly ambitious, the Warlocks have firmly thrown the gauntlet down in a manner that demands a fitting response from the supposed 'heavy weights'.