GODZILLIONAIRE

"Diminishing Returns" (Ripple Music; 2025)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

As I've said in a few past reviews on these pages, stoner and doom rock has been growing on me lately. It's not that I never liked it—I did—but, sometimes it started to sound all the same: the fuzzy guitars, the lumbering pace, the downtuning, the epic atmospheres. All good stuff but sometimes a bit too familiar.

Godzillionaire, with their album, "Diminishing Returns," have come up with something a little different. The fuzzy guitars are still there, the thundering drums and bass, the colossal tone. But there's also some real melody and genuine songwriting. Not to mention some welcome variety between tracks. Going from the raunchy, racing "Boogie Johnson" to the soothing, soaring "Spin Up, Spin Down" is quite the juxtaposition and that's what a lot of this genre's albums really need.

My favorite tracks were the giant monster stomp of "Astrogarden," the funky boogie of "3rd Street Shuffle" and the awesome album opener, "Drowning All Night." But there's not a bad track to be found here.

Fans of this type of music will find Godzillionaire a breath of fresh air in a genre that could really use it.

For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/godzillionaire/.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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