The Cross and the Switchblade

• Artist: Bantam Rooster
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Genre: Rock

Review

First off, please note that this two-man guitar and drums Detroit garage powerhouse was going strong back when Jack White was still named John Gillis. They're a lot less strict about their sound, anyway: not only is there an occasional smattering of bass here, Outrageous Cherry's Matthew Smith, and the album's producer, Jim Diamond, both chip in on organ throughout. The resulting sound is both heavier and more frantic than on the duo's garage-punk debut, 1997's Deal Me In. Singer T. Jackson Potter's increasingly unhinged vocal style at times comes close to plain incomprehensible wailing -- the stop-start "Tom Skinner," in particular, is frantically, joyously deranged -- and his slashing, rhythmic guitar playing locks in with Eric Cook's contents-under-pressure drumming in the same way that a traditional bassist would, in between the explosive solos. The resulting sound is powerfully intense in a way that even many traditional three- and four-piece bands can't manage. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Safe Cracker	T. Jackson Potter, Eric Cook	Bantam Rooster	(1:27)
Soul-Phisticate	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:04)
Goin' Cold	T. Jackson Potter, Eric Cook	Bantam Rooster	(2:20)
Intro Thang	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(1:06)
New Life	T. Jackson Potter, Eric Cook	Bantam Rooster	(3:50)
Outta My Mind	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:11)
Tom Skinner	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:30)
You Ain't the Boss of Me	T. Jackson Potter, Eric Cook	Bantam Rooster	(1:44)
She Stalker	T. Jackson Potter, Eric Cook	Bantam Rooster	(2:04)
Shot Down	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:14)
Cat Fight	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(1:17)
Ghost	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:30)
Hey Bartendress	T. Jackson Potter, Eric Cook	Bantam Rooster	(2:28)
Pony Up	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:34)
Electricity	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(1:24)
Crazy	Eric Cook, T. Jackson Potter	Bantam Rooster	(2:11)

Credits

Jim Diamond (Producer), Ewolf (Photography), Jim Diamond (Organ), T. Jackson Potter (Vocals), Matthew Smith (Organ)