MBG Ultrasounds review

[Mif]

Inpress November 27, 2002

"I'm the kind of guy who likes to sing about his penis, please forgive me darling, let's not let that come between us." That's the thing that separates satirical music from songs that are incidentally funny - you can always understand the lyrics. With a new CD of all their most requested songs, Melbourne three-piece, Man Bites God, have brought out a radio-friendly mix of poppy music and well enunciated, humourous lines. In the case of musical comedy, I think you generally need to have experienced a live performance of the band to feel connected to their CD (TISM being a possible exception), so not having seen them play live, I ust have to imagine their reputed hardcore legion of fans lining the front of the stage at Pony religiously cahnting the words to the eight songs on their second EP, Ultrasounds.

More musically evolved than most comedy groups, Man bites God blend pub rock, bubblegum pop and sleazy pornstar funk to tell us tales of unrequited love, sexual misadventure on Contiki tours and good old fashioned witch-burning. The anthemic Irish Drinking Song was the standout tune for me. If I'd had a pint of Guinness, I wpould have swung it in time with the rousing chorus. With lines like "If you were an electrical device i would be a socket, I am glad to see you, this is no gun in my pocket," I'm sure the porn-inspired Sleazy is a massive hit with live audiences and will be played with relish by groups of lads in Saturday night warm-up mode. Children of Japan and Lullabye provide the necessary darkness to the light, using sinister lyrics to undermine the folly of the tunes that surround them.

For the uninitiated to thoroughly enjoy this CD, I suggest the following: first check out one of their live gigs or catch them at Pony's comedy night, Skeptic tank. Drink in the atmosphere, have a dance, watch the boys strut their stuff - and then buy the CD. I think when you can attach your own memories of their onstage antics and the vibe of the show to their music, you'll get more out of it - I plan to anyhow.

Man Bites God's Ultrasounds is out now - visit www.manbitesgod.com

- Rebecca Cook