20 Years of Tanked Up Tunes

An on-again, off-again side project for a group of pseudonymous Texas-based punks led by Thee Whiskey Rebel and Intoxica (aka guitarist Phil Irwin and bassist Marla Vee of long-running horror-punks Rancid Vat), Alcoholics Unanimous have been around since 1987, dedicated solely to that country, blues, and rock standby, the drinking song. The anniversary album 20 Years of Tanked Up Tunes features 24 songs recorded throughout the band's career, about evenly split between faithful(ish) versions of old favorites like the folk standard Wasn't That a Party and Loretta Lynn's sassy Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind) and band originals like Intoxica's saxophone-driven instrumental Gin Rickey and the Butthole Surfers-like noise freakout Shittin' and Pukin' at the Same Time Blues. As unpretentious as the band name and album title suggest, 20 Years of Tanked Up Tunes is a giggly party record for punks and roots rockers with a taste for spirits, but like most novelty records, the joke palls a bit on closer and/or sober listens. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide