We Must Obey

Fu Manchu

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 20, 2007)
• Original Release Date: May 8, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B000MCH5MM
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #67,654 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fu Manchu has been kicking out the jams for the bong and beard nation for more than a decade now and without any real detriment to its creative zeal. We Must Obey's opening, titular cut swaggers and sways with the ferocity listeners have come to expect. On it, Scott Hill and Bob Balch serve up an enviable riff gauntlet as Hill belts out his trademark dark 'n' sexy vocals above the impervious bed of rock beneath. On that track, as with many of the others here––the roundhouse chop of "Knew It All Along," the thunderous and occasionally disturbing "Hung Out to Dry," the trailer-house dance anthem "Shake It Loose"––we're permitted to live in a bygone era, a time when super-sized mirrored sunglasses and dirty, dingy mudflaps reigned supreme--a time when rock 'n' roll was about the almighty riff and not the mastery of the almighty pitch correction machine. The retro vibe hovers heavily enough, with authenticity enough, that you believe for a fleeting moment that the group's primitive but potent sounds comes not from its weighty amplifiers but from some universal force that predates electricity, maybe even man himself.

And maybe it does.

Still, We Must Obey has at least one misstep. "Moving In Stereo," originally performed by the Cars, feels like an unnecessary plea for radio acceptance but, like a well-done boil lance, it passes quickly and virtually sans pain. Too much of what the quartet has crafted with its own hands deserves its own spot on the FM dial and thus the cover proves superfluous at best and marginally inspired at worst. That said, Fu Manchu has given us a record that we must have and hold, honor, cherish, and, yes, obey. ––Jedd Beaudoin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We must purchase this album., April 1, 2007

By	Peacepooch (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

There has been a lot of whining through bongsmoke clouds about the last couple of discs from the FU. Some said "California Crossing" didn't have enough of the fuzz, or "Start the Machine" was too dark and staid compared to the band's past efforts. I'm sure there are varying opinions on this one, but not from me. This is the most solid thing I've heard from the band's Bob Balch-era since "The Action is Go". The tracks are short, potent, and there's riffs a plenty. "Shake it Loose" is a midpaced footstomper and "Hung Out to Dry" is a trippy FREHLEY / SABS-style jammer that would fit on any of the band's cherished back discs. How any fan of the rawk could keep still through either of these tracks is beyond me. I found myself uncontrollably headbanging away as Scott Hill barks "Land...of...Giants!" over a boulder of a riff in the track of the same name. Plus, the cover of THE CARS 'Moving in Stereo' is incredible, just like their version of "Godzilla" from days gone by. Looks like there's already a bunch of used copies for about nine bucks, so pick it up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OBEY THIS!!!, February 26, 2007

By	Kule "Kule Stuff" (Benicia, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

Fu Manchu's new CD is killer, no doubt! Songs like Lesson, Land of Giants, Let Me Out and Hung Out To Dry are completely kickass!!! Believe it, I've got all of the Fu's albums and this CD is no letdown whatsoever, its cool the whole way through!!! Get it now and OBEY!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring, June 25, 2007

By	Mr Flash (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

"Knew it all along" is probably the only interesting song in the whole album. Same stuff as Start the machine. California Crossing is still the best Fu album. Why are they so afraid to try something new? Stoner rock ended up being like punk and hardcore: repetition after repetition after repetition.