One of the big draws to KARP (Kill All Redneck Pricks) is the simplicity. Sludge of this variety doesn’t tend to layer their music with subtlety and self-importance, and why should it? Every aspect of their middle-LP
Suplex is a means to a single end- one that melds heaviness, catchiness, and a dash of humor into a concoction potent enough to rival anything the Melvins ever put out. The production has a fuzzy quality to it, further obscuring what are fairly funny and ridiculous lyrics which are already stuck behind riffs upon riffs. Despite this, the release maintains a melodic and catchy quality throughout, evidenced by standouts like “Get No Toys (When You Pay the Money)” and “Shotzie.” Though not quite as crushingly heavy as their self-titled,
Suplex is a worthy complement because of this dual-approach. Though less appreciated than the unabashed heaviness because it’s not nearly in the spotlight, I’m under the impression that it’s aspects like the vocal melodies and catchy chords that carry this record and make it much more of an enticing listen than their self-titled. It fits, too, that KARP never happened to influence very much in terms of their music (nor did they actually kill all redneck pricks) or gain a large following-- evidenced by the nonsensical and just-plain-dumb lyrics, they never meant to, anyway.
Suplex is a carefree album of heavy jams; and as hard as it is to take KARP seriously, it’s equally as hard not to love them a little.
