Fu Manchu for the open road

California Crossing\nFu Manchu\nMammoth Records\nAll you slackers rejoice. Fu Manchu is back. Kingpins of the ultra-cool "stoner-rock" movement heralding the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, High on Fire and the legendary genre-founders Kyuss, Fu Manchu has broken free of the conservative establishment once again with its sixth full-length album, California Crossing. Not that there is anything very different about its approach this time around -- just the same blistering heaviness and bellowing attitude -- but that's what makes Fu Manchu so powerful. The band doesn't beat around the bush; it gets straight to the point. And that point is straight-ahead rock.\nWith a predilection for heaviness and a bias toward fast cars and loose women, Fu Manchu trudged out of Southern California in the early '90s and has since remained steadfast in its dedication to the groove. California Crossing boasts 11 songs of equally mammoth intensity. The riffs are Herculean. The vocals are laid-back cool. The rhythm section is driving. For those unfamiliar, it sounds something like Dexter Holland (the Offspring) fronting mid-'80s Black Flag on a serious Black Sabbath kick. \nFrom the first notes of "Separate Kingdom," the riffs pound you into oblivion and leave no choice but to crank it up. It's a perfect open road anthem, windows down and wind in your face, music drowning out the highway and engine noise. \nAnd frankly, nothing changes throughout the album's nearly 40 minutes. Apart from Keith Morris' (Circle Jerks) joining the fold for co-vocal duties on "Bultaco," the album is one linear bong-hit. The only downside is this lack of sonic difference, which by the album's end becomes somewhat tiresome. But having too much of a good thing is nothing to complain about. So rev up the engine, crank the stereo and head for the open road. California Crossing is ready for you.\n

\n\n