King Khan & the Shrines

What Is?! (Hazelwood)

King Khan: the wig-wearing half of the King Khan & BBQ Show, a former Montrealer, and current Berliner. Along with his eightpiece Shrines, he’s one of the most promising contemporary welders of genuine psych and soul. Progressing from 2002’s Three Hairs and You’re Mine, the band, electrified by horns and organ, zaps the 14 songs of What Is?! like James Brown’s voodoo child, especially the vintage licks of “69 Faces of Love,” “I Wanna Be a Girl,” and “Fear & Love.” Khan’s sly humor (“Gimme something loud and proud!” he demands as horns purposely skronk out dischord) only adds to the bizarro vibe that keeps What Is?! from sounding jokey. Even when “Le Fils de Jacques Dutronc” rips the riff from “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” the rest of the song rides a wave of sublime Nuggets fuzz.

***.5

This article appears in August 17 • 2007.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US