ALBUM REVIEW: Live From Total Annihilation – All Souls & Fatso Jetson

Legendary desert rockers FATSO JETSON and alternative rock band ALL SOULS have come together to release a joint record. Both bands are an essential part of the Californian rock scene, with both members were even invited to take part in Josh Homme’s (KYUSS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, EAGLES OF DEATH METAL) Desert Sessions.

Live From Total Annihilation was recorded in June 2021 during the pandemic at Total Annihilation Studios in LA. This session was originally released online only as the Virtual Volumes, but it is finally out in CD, vinyl, and digital form.

The first half of the record is led by ALL SOULS who start off gentle with Who Holds The Answer; you listen in expecting something big, but it doesn’t quite go off in the way you were hoping. That said, it still remains pleasant to listen to as the track progresses. The vocals themselves are very reminiscent of KINGS OF LEON vocalist Caleb Followill.

Things get better with You Just Can’t Win, a track that perhaps might have been a stronger option to open with but after this moment things just become rather dull. You find yourself zoning out during Winds and while Sentimental Rehash picks things up it’s not enough to bring back your full attention. The only other positive moment that’s worth mentioning arrives during Timebomb, where the drumsticks are made to imitate the ticking of a bomb and the other instruments start to join in to create a gentle build up. You think it’s going to pay off, but it doesn’t. You expect a fair bit during ALL SOULS’ session but in all honesty, it’s easy to become bored.

But thank goodness for FATSO JETSON who make-up for the past few songs when it comes to their half. Their session is a lot more interesting to listen to, and while it’s not necessarily attention grabbing, it is still pleasant. They also sound a lot clearer in comparison to ALL SOULS. There’s nothing really to distinguish between the different tracks on their side of the record but what can be said is that it’s pleasant, it’s relaxing, and it’s the type of thing you can have on in the background of a family barbecue – something that the dads can enjoy perhaps

Overall, Live From Total Annihilation, whilst not a stand-out record, is a pleasant and rather relaxing listening experience. It’s a decent album to put on in the background of a family do or when you need something to put on whilst working.

Rating: 6/10

Live From Total Annihilation is out now via Ripple Music.

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