Under a Billion Suns

Following 2002’s transitional Since We’ve Become Translucent, Mudhoney settled into their new incarnation with bassist Guy Madison on 2006’s Under a Billion Suns. Even though they are not turning their backs on their signature brand of sludge-infested garage rock, there is now the sense that they are no longer beholden to their past. Under a Billion Suns reflects the turmoil of George W. Bush’s second term in subliminal terms. Most of the songs adopt a downward sloping tone, as if to capture the nation’s frowning demeanor. The garage rock bounce of previous albums is here replaced with the terrifying drones of “Endless Yesterday,” “In Search of,” and “Hard On for War,” the last of which is a grotesque satire that ends with Mark Arm growling: “I’ve become a dirty old man with a hard-on for war.” Eighteen years into their career, Mudhoney continue to find inspiration in Iggy & The Stooges. Say what you will about aging Mudhoney — they are the only living band with the salt to pull off such a monstrous piece of rock theater.