Cream Abdul Babar

When it comes to Cream Abdul Babar, many have said "with a name that bad, they’d better be awesome,” and despite their moniker, one thing CAB have always been is awesome. Their pre-hiatus effort (a hiatus that hopefully won’t become permanent), Covering The Track Marks features six covers done in typical CAB style (noisy, harsh, thick and punctuated by trombone). CAB influences such as Ministry ("Burning Inside”), PJ Harvey ("Rid of Me”), the Jesus Lizard ("Gladiator”), Mira ("Space”) and Helmet ("Born Annoying”) are all paid homage to here (there’s even a terrifying live version of Madonna’s "Material Girl,” arguably not an influence). All the covers are superb (despite the sometimes muddy production), receiving an abrasive interpretation at the hands of these sonic erosionists but they truly slay with "Gladiator,” matching the mania of Yow and company, and the anguished promise/threat/plea of PJ’s "Rid of Me.” Unquestionably one of the underground’s best and most slept-on bands, hopefully this isn’t their swansong.