GODZILLIONAIRE

"Negative Balance" (Ripple Music; 2020/2026)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

It's interesting. I hadn't heard of Godzillionaire until last year, when they released their "Diminishing Returns" album (reviewed below). Now, apparently based on the success of that album, Ripple Music has now re-released a vinyl version of the band's "Negative Balance."

As I listened to the first opening tracks, "Phone Call Intro" (not really a track as much as an one-minute soundscape) and "Exit the Succubus" I was struck by the thought that maybe I'd reviewed the wrong band. Putting aside "Phone Call Intro," "Exit the Succubus" sounded nothing like the band I remembered from last year. It's a smooth, jazzy tune with a cool, driving beat but the words "stoner" or "doom rock" didn't come to mind at all as I listened. 

Thankfully, the fuzzy guitars kicked in near the end of track 2 and track 3, "The Solution is Laughable" finally rumbled along and my review for "Diminishing Returns" suddenly made sense.

Most of the tracks on "Negative Balance" are like that. Heavy, fuzzy guitars, terrific, emotion-laced vocals and hooks that grab you and hold on throughout the running time. Some tracks, like the driving "Reciprocating Engines," start out sounding easy and quiet but boil into the stoner heavy soon enough. "Smoke" is a track that's best described by its title: It's a nebulous cloud of the stuff left behind by secret bar smokers, those people who use Sucrets tins as ashtrays just in case the police decide to check if someone's smoking while drinking gin (at least in California). Another of my favorite tracks is the vibrating "Holy Roller," which benefits greatly from a wailing performance by vocalist Mark Hennessy (formerly of PAW).

Thanks to Ripple Music for reminding us that this album was out there and for re-releasing it in a way that's closest to the manner in which the band intended (according to Hennessy). I'll admit it, I was drawn to this band because of their name (Yeah, I'm a huge Godzilla fan) but I'm glad I was. The music of Godzillionaire is fascinating, soulful and unique and I look forward to hearing more from them.

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