Burn Baby Burn by Viktimized Karcass: A Raw Indie Rock Gem That Sticks With You
Alright, let’s talk about Burn Baby Burn by Viktimized Karcass. This album isn’t just another indie rock release—it’s got grit, soul, and a vibe that feels like it crawled straight outta some smoky dive bar in the Midwest. Released under SSS Productions, this US-born project brings together a tight-knit crew of musicians who clearly weren’t afraid to experiment. And honestly? It pays off.
First up, let me shout out Carl Howard real quick—he’s all over tracks B1 and B2, handling both drum programming and featuring credits. Dude knows how to lay down a beat that makes your chest rattle. Then there’s Mike Jackson on synths for “B1,” adding layers of weirdness that somehow glue everything together. Oh, and props to C.Phinney, R.Martin, R.Henson, and R.Moneymaker for bringing their A-game as performers. These guys sound like they’ve been through hell and back, but damn if they don’t make it sound good.
Now onto the tracks themselves. I gotta say, two songs stuck with me hard: “Should’ve Took Her Socks Off” and “Robot Walk.”
“Should’ve Took Her Socks Off” hits different from the jump. Like, what kind of title is that? It’s wild enough to grab you, but once the guitars kick in, it’s game over. The lyrics are raw and kinda funny in an awkward way—you can tell these dudes aren’t taking themselves too seriously. But man, when the chorus drops, it’s impossible not to sing along (even though half the words might be made-up nonsense). There’s something relatable about its messy energy, like stumbling home after a night you’ll barely remember but won’t forget either.
Then there’s “Robot Walk,” which is just… weirdly hypnotic. The rhythm has this mechanical shuffle to it, like yeah, robots would walk exactly like this if they had legs. Mike Jackson’s synth work here is next-level; it’s eerie yet catchy as hell. By the time the track ends, you’re left wondering whether you should dance or run away screaming. Either way, it stays in your head for hours.
Other standouts include “Molly Ann,” which feels like a love letter to someone—or something—you can’t quite figure out, and “Rollin’ Dem Bones,” where the band leans fully into their chaotic side. Honestly, every song adds its own flavor to the mix, making Burn Baby Burn feel more like a journey than just a collection of tunes.
Here’s the thing, though—this album isn’t perfect. Sometimes the production feels a little rough around the edges, and sure, a couple of tracks could use a bit more polish. But honestly? That’s part of why I dig it so much. It’s unapologetically human, flaws and all. Listening to it feels like hanging out with old friends who don’t give a crap about impressing anyone—they just wanna have fun and tell stories.
And maybe that’s the biggest compliment I can give Burn Baby Burn: it doesn’t try too hard. In a world full of overly slick albums designed to climb charts, this one feels refreshingly real. So go ahead, crank it up loud, and let yourself get lost in the chaos. Just don’t blame me if “Robot Walk” starts haunting your dreams.
Oh, and one last thing—I still can’t decide if the sock thing was literal or metaphorical. Guess we’ll never know.
