KING HEAVY METAL

The second album from prolific indie artist Robert Pollard's self-described "supergroup" (tongue practically piercing his cheek with self-deprecating irony). King Heavy Metal is a hitherto undiscovered species of rainforest songbird capable of changing colors in the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums. At once prog-struck, collagist, technically impressive, and melodically complex, King Heavy Metal lives up to and subverts its title over the course of its 12 songs. There's stuff on here that wouldn't be out of place on any post-Isolation Drills Guided By Voices album, stuff that wouldn't be out of place on an alternate-universe mid-70s Who album, and stuff that's as lo-fi, booze-addled, and sloppy as anything from "classic"-era GBV. Pollard's determined to establish Ricked Wicky as more than just another solo or side project: it's a proper, self-contained group, with significant contributions, both instrumental and songwriting, from guitarist Nick Mitchell (long time GBV/Pollard stalwart Kevin March supplies drums). Mitchell sings lead on two songs here, both presumably written by him as well.