Kyle Thomas has gone through many different phases in the last decade: making Devendra Banhart-approved freak-folk in Feathers singing lead with the J Mascis-starring stoner metal freaks Witch and playing fuzzy glam with tUnE-yArDs’ sister in Happy Birthday. But it’s on his own as King Tuff that he has finally prospered.
After the release of his 2012 self-titled album he reissued his debut album King Tuff Was Dead for a second time last year no doubt to capitalize on the buzz. His third album Black Moon Spell arrives without much of a gap between releases and more than ever reveals his true identity as a manic rock ’n’ roll wild man.
Produced again by Bobby Harlow (The Go) and featuring Ty Segall on occasional drums Black Moon Spell is the rowdy rock album Thomas intended to make with King Tuff Was Dead. That album’s zany power pop has transcended into warped rock ’n’ roll where the hooks are sharper the riffs are beefier and the weirdness is at an all-time high.
The proof is in the whiplash pop-punk of “Headbanger” the gritty glam of “Sick Mind” and the classic rock rumble of the title track but as weird and loud as it gets King Tuff still has sincerity to boot. He motivates the listener to let loose on the strutter “Madness” serenades a hideous little pet on “I Love You Ugly” and flips the psychedelic “Eyes of the Muse” into a sparkling love song.
Black Moon Spell is a history lesson in rock’n’roll integrating all of the genre’s cruxes. Even more so it marks Thomas’ emergence as one of the best wild men in the business.
