The Micronite Filters seem like a fun-loving bunch, judging by the packaging of their new album, Rocket From Infinity.  The inner sleeve has a drawing of the band members wearing facepaint a la David Bowie, and they’ve got nicknames like Ace Submarine, Mr. Bent, Reiffer and Lonestar the Lucky.  Yet while the band seems to be in touch with their silly side, these guys are also well-versed in heavy blues rock.

Rocket From Infinity opens with Into the Night, a song characterized by it’s fuzzed-out riffs and slow, pounding drum beat.  To be honest, it would probably make a better album closer than an opening track, as it’s a rather sombre tune, but a good song, nevertheless.  You could say that it sets the tone for the rest of the record.

Second track Cloudbuster has a much lighter, mellower feel to it than its predecessor.  While being more of a mellow song, it still isn’t particularly uplifting, as the backing vocals on the chorus provide somewhat of a haunting effect.  Then again, who said the blues were supposed to be happy?

Suicide Magnets picks up the pace a bit three songs in.  The chorus has a happy-sounding guitar riff, but judging by the song title, it doesn’t seem like a very happy song.  The verses are driven by a cool grinding riff, and it would’ve been better if they continued along those lines for the chorus.

Fourth track Whiskey Jarred is one of, if not my favourite song on the album.  It just has this laid-back stoner vibe to it that I really dig, grooving on well past the nine-minute mark.  Fifth track Master Perverter is also pretty cool.  Unlike several songs on the album, I don’t remember hearing it on the band’s Myspace page.  It starts off slow and laid back, before a hard-hitting drum beat and a killer blues riff pick things up, taking it into the chorus and a really cool guitar solo.  I also like Texas Tea, although the “Reeeevoluuution” refrain is rather repetitive.

The Right of Might is another mellow tune, perhaps the softest one on the album.  Sacred Ground has somewhat of a tribal drum beat, which makes sense considering the title.  It really creates a cool atmosphere for the track.  Soapbox Hero is a bluesy rockin’ tune with a killer chorus and an extended guitar solo.

Things start winding down with Face in the Lake, a slow blues number, before ending with another mellow tune called Another Thrill.  While Rocket From Infinity does have its share of heavy riffs and stoner grooves, it’s primarily a slow blues record.  If you’re into mellow blues music, and don’t mind the heavy stuff, this record is definitely for you.  And if you listen to stoner rock and don’t like mellow blues, then I’m not sure what planet you’re from.  In any case, most of these songs are streaming on the band’s Myspace page, so check ‘em out, and listen for yourself.

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