WitchDoktors "Izzatso?" - Feature on the New Album with Photos, Videos and Tour Dates

WitchDoktors released their long-awaited brand new album "Izzatso?" on Halloween via Bomber Music, and if you're after vinyl then you can choose from three appropriately spooky coloured discs - either blood splattered, pumpkin or black and gold swirl vinyl. There's a tendency for music journalists to reach for the same old cliches when reviewing new albums, four lazy phrases such as 'best album of their career', 'return to form', 'all killer no filler', 'every track could be a single' spring to mind. Luckily, I'm not a music journalist so let's just deconstruct those cliches for a moment... First of all, yes, I'd say that "Izzatso?" is the best album of WitchDoktors' near-30 year career to date. I say that with a slight caveat though because there's always an initial rush of excitement when you give a new record by one of your favourite bands its first spin. When it's as good as "Izzatso?" there's a kind of relief that the band haven't let you down and then, after more plays, it dawns on you that this could well be an absolute classic in the band's impressive back catalogue. 

 

Next cliche - 'return to form' - if I was in a band I'd be pretty insulted when journos drop this phrase into a review as it's kind of implying the last release was basically crap! This definitely doesn't apply to WitchDoktors, for as great as "Izzatso?" is the band have never been out of form and it would be doing a huge injustice to previous albums such as "Voodoo Eye" or "$3 Hooker". However, "Izzatso?" does contain all the best elements of WitchDoktors crammed into it's eleven superb songs, capturing the very essence of the band perfectly. The album kicks off with a drumbeat and a distant 1,2,3,4 before "Lightning Strike" zooms in on a wicked Bo Diddley beat overlaid by some excellent slide guitar courtesy of special guest Leigh Heggarty from Ruts DC. "Before The War" one of the sides of the debut single from the album has already established itself as a bit of a WitchDoktors classic with it's memorable singalong chorus. 

Of course WitchDoktors are steeped in the influence of The Clash, particularly that period when they threw off the shackles of Punk Rock and embraced American roots music with the "London Calling" album. So, WitchDoktors also cherry pick from the raw Country of Johnny Cash, fuzzed up 60's Garage Rock nuggets, the swampy Blues of Gun Club and The Cramps to the downtown New York sleaze of The Heartbreakers. WitchDoktors dressed in their bowling shirts, shades and trilby hats look cool, like a gang, just like a real band should and live, they are a supercharged blur of energy, they know the score. Frontman Andy Last and guitarist Tony Major certainly know how to work a crowd and engage with them in concert and they've managed to truly capture that dynamic on record with "Izzatso?", the guitar work is stunning throughout and Andy has never sounded in better voice. Among their contemporaries I guess Jim Jones shares similar ideals, in fact next track "High, Dry and Burnt" reminds me of his current outfit, Jim Jones All Stars, with a menacing bassline courtesy of Lee Page and brass section. Also similar to Jim Jones, WitchDoktors do love their Rock 'n' Roll myths and legends too - railway tracks, whiskey, movie stars, murder ballads, voodoo, neck tattoos and tiki bars - it's all there in their albums but "Izzatso?" adds in more thoughtful subjects such as PTSD and environmental and climate issues. Next cliche up, 'all killer, no filler' - well that's definitely true, every song is well worth its inclusion, nothing overstays its welcome. 

 

One of WitchDoktors biggest talents is their understanding of the dynamics of Rock 'n' Roll, on record and in concert. Live, they know how to pace a show, build the tension and when to release it. Same on their records and with "Izzatso?" in particular, the track-listing is perfectly plotted with songs that are buzzing with ideas, genres, riffs and harmonies. To get the full effect you've got to play it from side one, song one all the way through and it all makes perfect sense. Back to The Clash and WitchDoktors have also taken  their love of Reggae and similar to The Ruts really make it work. This is no doubt thanks mainly to Joe Colfar who is certainly one of the best drummers around with an instinctive feel for the genre as you can hear on the brilliant "Spanner In The Works". Then there's "Freedom Fighter" which wouldn't be out of place on Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros "Global A-Go-Go" album it's that good. The final cliche I picked on was 'every song could be a single' - possibly, although I have one reservation in the slightly downbeat closing track "Kicking The Can" which in context of the album works perfectly well but I'm not sure it would fare as a stand-alone single. 

However, WitchDoktors have already got a head start with the release of the stunning 7" vinyl single "Before The War"/"Spanner In The Works" which is a tour-de-force double shot of Punk and Reggae that must rank up there among the very best double A-sided singles of all time. Talking of singles, "One Shot" would make another great one with it's wah-wah guitar and some superb drumming from Joe. "Planet of Pain" is a blistering quintessential WitchDoktors number that rubs leather clad shoulders next to my favourites "I'm Sick" and "No Pain No Gain". It blasts off like Rocket From The Crypt with some cool brass and Andy's rasping voice, not to forget a great bass riff and guitar freakout that will have you leaping about the room like crazy. "Jezebel" is a tuneful Pop Punk number with some nice Buzzcocks "ooh ooh" backing harmonies and the stabbing rhythm guitar of "God Knows" continues with this more melodic lighthearted side of the band. Then they up the tempo with the excellent "Candy Star" which surfs in on a naggingly catchy Pixies style guitar riff, I love this track. 

The album closes with the afore-mentioned "Kicking The Can" which starts off in the backstreets of Paris with its mournful accordion before mariachi trumpets and twanging guitars transform the song into an evocative Spaghetti Western number. It's a slightly unassuming ending to the album but I guess it's good to have a bit of an atmospheric comedown after all the undoubted highs of a quite brilliant record. With "Izzatso?" it's like the band have been slowly building up to creating this masterpiece, an all-time classic album that will proudly sit alongside all the favourites in your collection. I'm just wondering how the hell WitchDoktors are going to better it? Here's a little bonus - The Voodoo Eye (WitchDoktors with special guests) performing "Suffragette City" with Stevie Savage and Nicky Forbes from The Revillos at the Retro Man Blog Birthday Gig and Alzheimer's Society Fundraiser, Half Moon Putney back in September.

 

The band will head off on tour to promote the album so please check out the official WitchDoktors Facebook page here for more details. You can order "Izzatso?" on CD, download or your choice of coloured vinyl at their Bandcamp site here. Check out our YouTube channel Retromanblog65 for loads of original WitchDoktors videos including their special appearance at the Retro Man Blog Birthday Gig & Fundraiser at the Half Moon Putney back in September. Videos and photos by Retro Man Blog and Ruth Rae.