Hindu Love Gods – Hindu Love Gods – Cassette

Description

Hindu Love Gods – Hindu Love Gods – Cassette

Hindu Love Gods’ Hindu Love Gods (1990) is a one-off album from the supergroup composed of members of R.E.M.—Bill Berry (drums), Mike Mills (bass), and Peter Buck (guitar)—and Warren Zevon on vocals. The album is a loose, fun, and raw collection of blues rock covers, with a heavy emphasis on spontaneity and improvisation. Originally conceived as a side project during the recording sessions for Zevon’s solo album Sentimental Hygiene, Hindu Love Gods showcases the band jamming through a series of blues standards with Zevon’s signature wit and gruff vocal style.

Hindu Love Gods is rooted in blues rock, but it has a raw, unpolished sound that emphasizes the spontaneity of the sessions. The songs are gritty and straightforward, with driving rhythms and a garage-band feel. The focus is on live energy rather than polished production, giving the album a loose, jam-session quality.

The album features simple, no-frills arrangements, with Zevon’s vocals front and center and the R.E.M. members providing solid, bluesy backing. The guitar work is gritty, with basic, punchy riffs, while the rhythm section holds down steady grooves. There are few overdubs or studio embellishments, allowing the raw energy of the performances to shine through. Despite the seriousness of the blues influences, the album has a playful, irreverent tone. Zevon’s vocals, in particular, bring a sense of humor and attitude to the tracks, and the band’s chemistry is palpable as they tear through the material with enthusiasm.

Key Tracks

“Raspberry Beret”: The standout track on the album is a cover of Prince’s hit ‘Raspberry Beret.’ The band transforms the funky, poppy original into a rollicking blues rock tune. Zevon’s gritty, growling delivery gives the song a completely different vibe, making it one of the more unexpected and memorable moments on the album.
“Wang Dang Doodle”: Originally by Willie Dixon, this track captures the rowdy, party-like energy that defines the album. The band’s rendition is fun and raucous, with Zevon delivering the lyrics with a sense of mischief. The song’s heavy blues shuffle highlights the group’s tight playing and ability to groove together.
“Mannish Boy”: The Muddy Waters classic is covered with a raw, electric blues approach. Zevon’s gruff vocals bring a fresh attitude to the familiar song, and the band’s straightforward, driving performance adds to the authenticity of the bluesy, minimalist vibe.
“Walkin’ Blues”: A cover of Robert Johnson’s blues standard, this track stays true to its roots while adding a bit of rock energy. The stripped-down arrangement allows Zevon’s vocal phrasing and Buck’s bluesy guitar work to shine.

The album is essentially a tribute to classic blues music, covering songs from iconic blues figures like Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, and Muddy Waters. The lyrics revolve around familiar blues themes—heartache, hard living, love, and loss—though Zevon’s irreverent delivery brings a touch of wit and humor to the material. The casual nature of the sessions shines through in the fun, carefree spirit of the performances. Zevon’s vocal style on this album isn’t overly serious or polished, which adds to the loose, off-the-cuff feel. The band’s approach to the material reflects a love for the music rather than an attempt to reinterpret it in any deep or conceptual way.

Zevon’s vocal performance on Hindu Love Gods is gruff, raw, and full of personality. He’s not trying to replicate the blues greats but instead brings his own unique style to the songs, which gives the album its irreverent charm. His delivery, particularly on tracks like “Raspberry Beret” and “Wang Dang Doodle,” is playful yet authoritative, capturing both the spirit of the blues and his signature wit.

The R.E.M. members keep the arrangements simple and tight, allowing Zevon’s vocals to take center stage. Peter Buck’s guitar work is gritty and bluesy, with minimal solos but plenty of attitude. Mike Mills and Bill Berry provide a solid, steady rhythm section, keeping the songs grounded in driving blues grooves. The performances feel like they were captured live in the studio with little post-production, adding to the album’s raw and spontaneous energy. This approach mirrors the way traditional blues music was often recorded, lending authenticity to the project.

While Hindu Love Gods was not a massive commercial success, it attracted attention due to the involvement of members of R.E.M., one of the biggest bands of the time, and Warren Zevon, a well-respected singer-songwriter. The album has gained a cult following over the years, particularly among fans of Zevon and R.E.M.

The album is often viewed as a fun, experimental project rather than a serious addition to either R.E.M.’s or Zevon’s catalog. The collaborative nature of the record, combined with the playful, bluesy material, makes it a unique entry in the discographies of all involved. The band’s decision to cover Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” as a blues-rock jam is one of the album’s most memorable moments and demonstrates their ability to put a fresh, unexpected spin on a modern classic.

Hindu Love Gods by Hindu Love Gods is a raw, fun, and loose collection of blues covers, showcasing the collaborative chemistry between Warren Zevon and members of R.E.M.. The album stands out for its spontaneous, jam-session feel, allowing the musicians to cut loose and pay homage to classic blues songs with a modern rock twist. While it may not be a groundbreaking entry in any of the artists’ catalogs, it’s an enjoyable and spirited listen that captures the essence of blues music while injecting it with Zevon’s signature humor and personality.

Hindu Love Gods: Warren Zevon, Bill Berry, Peter Buck and Mike Mills.

Track Listing
Walkin’ Blues
Travlin’ Riverside Blues
Raspberry Beret
Crosscut Saw
Junko Pardner
Mannish Boy
Wang Dang Doodle
Battleship Chains
I’m A One-Woman Man
Vigilante Man