Lords of Acid Albums (8)
'Farstucker Stript'
Release Date 2/19/2002
Tracks 19
Label Antler Subway
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
The Lords of Acid have always survived on two crucial ingredients: bizarre techno/industrial backing tracks and the sultry vocals of whatever singer they could recruit at the time. On Farstucker Stript, the band cuts the latter element to give their fans an instrumental version of 2001's Farstucker. Oddly enough, the source album is also the album that the band experimented the least on, resulting in a rather hollow and unusual combination of industrial metal songs with no vocals and weird techno tracks that often times transform into industrial metal songs. Lords of Acid should have recruited some remixers if this was their plan, because as it stands there are not many memorable or enjoyable tracks here. This is missing the salacious vocals of Deb Ostrega, the sultry Belgian model that made her recording debut on the regular version of this album. Without her naughty sex rhymes, this is little more than very average industrial music, something that the band would probably not appreciate. Fans might want to give this a listen, but otherwise this is a bland album from a band that has much better material out there. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Opening with the explosive industrial-tinged "Scrood Bi U," the Lords of Acid return with another set that continues to push boundaries by vividly exploring themes of sexual experimentation and freedom from the monogamous norm. While continuing to deliver their messages with the same tongue-in-cheek attitude that helped put them on the electronica map in the early '90s, they also still have a knack for stretching limits to provoke, excite, and sometimes disturb, much like fellow shock artists Insane Clown Posse. While the Lords' lyrics continue to promote promiscuous sex, marijuana use, and megalomania, the group has ambitiously replaced some of its signature electronics with live instruments. There is still a good amount of programming work evident throughout Farstucker, but it is used primarily to embellish rather than drive the tracks. Also bringing a sense of freshness to the group is Belgian model-turned-singer Deb Ostrega, who was added to the lineup as a replacement for Nikkie Van Lierop (aka Jade 4U). Ostrega had previously sung with the Lords on two tours, but Farstucker marks her studio debut with the group. She fits in well, lending convincing vocals that work nicely to seduce during both slow and fast moments. Praga Khan offers up lead vocals on two tracks, but he sounds awkward and lacks the strength and security he has while controlling his massive bank of synthesizers and samplers. When Ostrega takes the lead, catchy and playful hooks reveal themselves and swirl around impressive production work. Although Farstucker explores some different musical territories with numbers like the jazzy "Take Off," the ode-to-marijuana rave anthem "Lucy's F*ck*ng Sky," and the candy pop of "I Like It" (the latter borrowing liberally from the Trio hit "Da Da Da..."), it shines on tracks like "Slave to Love," "Lover Boy/Lover Girl," and "Rover Take Over," where the Lords showcase a satisfying mix of electronica and hard rock. Updating sounds of their past with more contemporary arrangements, the Lords of Acid achieve a fun and danceable set aimed at those with a good sense of humor and an appreciation for light, catchy music. ["Venus" and "Get Up and Jam" are bonus tracks offered individually on two separate special edition pressings.] ~ Don Kline, All Music Guide
'Expand Your Head'
Release Date 7/13/1999
Tracks 17
Label Antler Subway
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Our Little Secret isn't remarkably different from Lords of Acid's previous album, Voodoo-U -- it's still the same mix of throbbing dance club beats, industrial noise, metallic guitars, and sexual kitsch as before. In many ways, Our Little Secret actually improves on Voodoo-U, offering sharper productions, funnier songs, and catchier hooks, even if the group's ability to outrage is beginning to wane. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Previously an acid-house group, Lords Of Acid use more industrial sounds, along with some reggae and ska, on Voodoo-U. Songs such as "The Crab Louse" and "Drink My Honey" aren't recommended for queasy stomachs. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When it comes to bawdy, S&M-fueled rave albums, Lords of Acid's Lust is a classic. Coming across like a twisted mix of Front 242 and the Timelords, Lords of Acid hit all the right notes on this debut album that entertains, shocks, and energizes listeners both on and off the dancefloor. Though Lust works as a competent rave album, which actually caused its music to become almost instantly dated, its disturbing and sometimes violent samples and vocals give it an intriguing quality that extends its shelf life considerably. "Rough Sex," for example, is pleasant enough, its house grooves and tender spoken-word samples of "love is the answer" make for pleasant-enough listening, and then shouts of "Rough sex/Deep sex" commence and things get mildly sinister. Other choice snippets include "Let's get high and have fun," "Darling, come here, f*ck me up the...," "Sit on your face, I wanna sit on your face," "(Get) down on the floor you, b*tch," and "I must increase my bust." While Lust certainly isn't the most aggressive or accomplished industrial dance music of its time, its racy subject matter and tongue-in-cheek nature make it more compelling than it would otherwise be. A song as campy and risqué as "I Must Increase My Bust," with its pneumatic chants of "I must, I must, I must increase my bust" and revelations that the vocalist is "obsessed with t*ts" and that her "auntie Marie had t*ts down to her knees," shouldn't be anywhere near as catchy as it is here. Lust's success resides in its comedy, but it can also be quite sexy. "The Most Wonderful Girl," for example, is perhaps the rave scene's answer to the Divinyls' "I Touch Myself." Still shocking, hilarious, and sexy many years after its release, Lust is a great album. It's also Lords of Acid's masterpiece. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide
