Album Review: Lady Jane / Suicide’s No Fun Gimme That Gun by Otto & The Elevators
If you’re looking for an album that feels like a funky fever dream dipped in soul and sprinkled with prog rock absurdity, Lady Jane / Suicide’s No Fun Gimme That Gun is your ticket. Released on Vera Records, this gem from Otto & The Elevators straddles genres like a musical gymnast—soulful enough to make you groove, but weird enough to keep you guessing.
Let’s start with “Suicide’s No Fun Gimme That Gun.” What a title, right? It sounds like something scribbled on the back of a napkin at 2 AM after too many espressos. Written by G. Tanin (props to him for not overthinking it), this track hits hard where funk meets existential dread. The bassline slinks around like it owns the place, while the vocals have this raw, almost conversational vibe that makes you feel like you’re eavesdropping on someone’s inner monologue. There’s a moment halfway through when the horns kick in—it’s so gloriously unnecessary, yet somehow perfect. Like adding extra hot sauce to pizza; risky, but wow does it work.
Then there’s “Lady Jane,” which flips the script entirely. Where “Suicide’s No Fun” is chaotic and brash, this one oozes smoothness. Imagine walking into a smoky jazz club circa 1973, except instead of cigarette smoke, it’s just… good vibes floating in the air. The guitar licks are buttery smooth, and the rhythm section locks in tighter than your favorite pair of jeans. You remember this track because it’s got swagger without trying too hard. It doesn’t scream for attention—it just whispers, “Hey, I’m cool, and you know it.”
What sticks out about this record isn’t just its genre-bending audacity—it’s how unapologetically human it feels. These songs don’t aim for perfection; they aim for connection. They stumble here and there, sure, but isn’t that what makes them relatable? It’s like hanging out with a friend who tells wild stories—you might raise an eyebrow occasionally, but damn, you’re never bored.
So yeah, Otto & The Elevators didn’t reinvent the wheel with Lady Jane / Suicide’s No Fun Gimme That Gun, but they sure gave it some flashy new rims. If anything, listening to this album reminds me that life’s more fun when you mix things up—a little funk, a dash of soul, and maybe even a splash of prog rock madness. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out what "Gimme That Gun" actually means. Or don’t. Maybe some mysteries are better left unsolved.
