Psychopathia Sexualis

Album Review

With Hunger, the Makers began to move away from their garage punk roots toward a fuller, more sinister, and in some ways buoyant sound. With new looks and a potent new glam approach, Psychopathia Sexualis is the first of their "mature" efforts, and although it retains much of the crude aggression of Hunger, the songs are stronger and more spacious, and the playing more powerful, thanks to guitarist Jamie Frost, who rocks hard and nasty while simultaneously giving the band a much-needed versatility. Michael Shelley sounds more convincing than ever, whether singing a flaming rocker such as "Turn Up the Century" or the sensitive "Love That Is Strange," which features some nice guitar work by Frost. "Psychotropic Supergirl" and "Lover Lover" reveal the group's developing melodic sense, a skill they would master on Rock Star God.