This album has got to be one of the most anticipated albums I've seen
in a long time. For months I've been asked countless times when Exit
13 was going to release _Smoking Songs_, so I'm very happy to say,
"Here it is folks!" Although not your average Exit 13 album (but then
again, which Exit 13 album could be considered average?), _Smoking
Songs_ proves to be an ultra-cool CD full of marijuana anthems from
the 20s, 30s, and 40s. All of these songs are covered as closely as
possible to the original tunes. Yes, that means that they all consist
of ragtime, swing, and jazz style music. However, don't let that
scare you at all, what lies here is a stoner's paradise, thirteen
tracks of buds, bongs, and big fat J's. Most of the vocals on this
album come to us care of Bliss Blood (from Pain Teens), her
hallucinatory harmonies are definitely a treat, and one of the
highpoints of this album. Some notable tracks include "Light Up!", a
marijuana anthem if I've ever heard one. "Jack I'm Mellow" is a
catchy cover of the 1938 song by Trixie Smith. "1'1 (Thirteen Inches
of Fun)" and "Weed" may be familiar to some of you who got a hold of
the rare _UHF/VHF_ sampler from Relapse. And finally, the hidden
fourteenth track consists of a "grind/swing" song called "Loading
Dock" that is total mayhem! Check this one out people, just make sure
you've smoked enough green beforehand.
Gino Filicetti
...get me back!