Album Review: This Stuff Will Kill Ya – A Boozy Rock 'n' Roll Bender You Won’t Forget
Man, if you’re looking for an album that feels like stumbling into a wild honky-tonk bar at 3 AM, This Stuff Will Kill Ya by Various is your ticket. Released in 2011 on the French label Hog Maw Records, this rockabilly-meets-rock-and-roll gem comes packed with enough booze-soaked energy to make even the stiffest listener loosen up. And yeah, it’s kinda ironic—France? Really? But hey, these cats know how to throw down.
The whole thing kicks off with “Here I Am - Drunk Again,” which sets the tone perfectly. It’s raw, unapologetic, and sounds like someone just spilled whiskey on their guitar before hitting record. The lyrics are simple but hit hard; they don’t need fancy metaphors when they’ve got lines like “I woke up face-down in last night’s mess.” Honestly, who hasn’t been there? This track sticks because it’s real—it doesn’t try too hard, and neither should you while listening to it.
Then there’s “Bartender Bring On The Booze,” which might as well be the anthem of regrettable decisions everywhere. The rhythm grabs you by the collar and drags you onto the dance floor whether you want to go or not. There’s something about the way the vocals slur ever so slightly that makes it feel lived-in, like this song has seen more than its fair share of empty bottles and broken hearts. If this one doesn’t get your foot tapping, check your pulse.
The artwork by L’Écorché fits the vibe—gritty, chaotic, and dripping with attitude. Meanwhile, J Raph I.N.G.’s remastering job gives the tracks a crispness that keeps them from sounding like they were recorded in someone’s garage (even though, let’s be honest, they probably were). Hats off to L’Écorché again for pulling double duty as the reissue producer—this dude clearly knows his stuff.
What’s wild is how consistent the album stays despite being a compilation. Tracks like “Moonshine” and “Drink Tinky Drink” keep the party rolling without overstaying their welcome. Even the slower tunes, like “Sunshine Moonshine,” bring a melancholy edge that balances out all the rowdy fun. It’s like the soundtrack to both the best and worst nights of your life, depending on how much moonshine you’ve had.
So yeah, This Stuff Will Kill Ya. Not literally, hopefully, but definitely emotionally. Listening to it feels like finding an old mixtape in the backseat of a beat-up car—you can almost smell the cigarette smoke and cheap cologne. And honestly? That’s kinda beautiful.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth, maybe we should blast this album at them instead of nukes. Either they’ll surrender immediately, or they’ll start headbanging. Either way, win-win.
