Even after nearly 40 years, there are still new things to experience within the relatively rigid framework of Fu Manchu. Following their early days in punk and hardcore, the Californians have been rolling confidently down the desert road since their 1994 debut “No One Rides For Free.”
However, the latest album, “The Return Of Tomorrow” (At The Dojo), offers some surprises. This release is for those who enjoy vinyl, as the first disc of the double LP is markedly different from the second.
The first seven songs deliver the familiar Fu Manchu sound. That pounding, groovy stoner rock, droning and buzzing as always, with Scott Hill still in top form. “Hands Of The Zodiac” even stands out as an instant classic. Kudos to the band for maintaining such reliable quality.
Then “Lifetime Waiting” dials it back. Still unmistakably Fu Manchu, but much clearer, rocking in a straighter manner. This tone carries through the rest of the album—restrained, jammy, a bit melancholic.
“Solar Baptized” introduces a gentle synth touch. Different, but still good. “High Tide,” as the closer, represents the most noticeable departure, allowing the album to end on a very mellow note. What will Fu Manchu come up with next?
Fu Manchu – The Return Of Tomorrow: Same same but different – RIFL
