Trevor Tanner_Bullish ( BBB V1 )

Back in the day, Trevor Tanner was often found shouting out obscenities from the front stage position of a historically, notorious band called, The Bolshoi.

As head mechanic for such a well oiled machine, Trevor Tanner wrote the songs, projected the lyrics like a demented tornado and more often than not gave the band their unswervingly crass yet cool image.

With skeleton jarring bass rhythms and off kilter guitar, The Bolshoi slithered from pub to pub showing off with a darkly enlightened attitude.

But that was then. Now, over a decade later, Mr. Tanner has resurfaced with a collection of 41 songs spread out across three unique CDs - Bullish, Bellyache & Belch.

Taken all at once, as if each song were a kaleidoscopic pill, the new collection will have you whirring around like a trapped waspy.

There are moments within the collection that you will wonder if Trevor has truly lost his mind (which he gleefully claims to have done on purpose).

The fact is, Bullish, Bellyache & Belch each possess a certain overall element that not only individualizes them enough to stand on their own as independent releases - but also gives them a sharp enough edge that they cut back and forth into each other like a Freddy vs. Jason blood-bath.

Bullish, volume 1 of the 3 CD collection, has the most songs that rocket you back to The Bolshoi days - and it does so with just enough Bolshoi-ness that you will begin to miss the old days - but only enough to appreciate the fact that the new days shine, seasoned with wonderful elements of them.

Bellyache, volume 2 of the collection, is a rickety bridge of sorts, crossing you from smack dab in the middle of The Bolshoi days and onward to current Trevor-times.

With musical textures from both - where Trevor has been - and - where Trevor is ultimately sailing - this volume is like a Harley ride on a voluptuous back-road.

Belch, volume 3 of the set, is a true voyage into Trevor’s new territory - a vast jungle of southern-tinged edginess mixed with a mind saturated with the oddity of common daily life. All set to the vocal style of the dark, mad oracle himself.

One of the greatest guitar-lords on the planet has truly returned singing loud and clear for his supper - making you feel like buying this chap a beer and snagging one for yourself as well. { fin }