The Lord of Lard is an unstoppable machine lately. Whether it’s new <PIG> classics, remixes or covers, Raymond Watts is beyond reinvigorated during this second coming of the swine. Which brings us to the latest helping of pork in the form of Candy, an epic new album filled with covers done in a way that only <PIG> can.
You know how most rational people listen to “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” today and just cringe because of how creepy the message is? That’s kind of what “Hopelessly Devoted To You” sounds like albeit Raymond Watts is well aware of what he’s doing…..and that’s the delightful thing about Candy! It could have been the most ludicrous of undertakings but the final product is done with such, ahem, devotion and understanding that the whole thing comes off as very genuine.
“One Day I’ll Fly Away” (Originally by Randy Crawford) is orchestral in the way that Queen’s A Kind Of Magic was with heavy guitars, string section backed, and this grand piano serving as distractions from the wicked ringleader that is Watts and his sinister snarl at the forefront. Then Sasha Grey returns to follow up the cover that started it all (2018’s “That’s The Way (I Like It)” which we reviewed here) on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” (Originally by The Righteous Brothers and famously karaoke’d in Top Gun) providing the perfect counterpoint to Watts with her hushed delivery bringing to mind The Raveonettes’ Sharin Foo at times.
Prince’s “Kiss” is the perfect vehicle for <PIG>’s brand of raunchy sex positive swagger and within the walls of Candy, the faux horn-laden track with the bravado of Master Watts at the front is absolutely fabulous! Later still, Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter” is transmutated into a piano driven dirge while Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” becomes all sleazy and dirty when put through a <PIG> blender.
If you’re a real fan of <PIG> then of course you’ll be picking up the deluxe vinyl edition of Candy which, besides looking cool as hell in all its’ various formats (See below for options), also bears some bonus tracks including INXS’ uber ballad “Never Tear Us Apart” which I used to HATE with a passion! As a young lad in the ’80’s, I loved INXS and loved Kick. But ballads back then for me? Je NOPE! Then I got older and learned to appreciate the medium and the need to slow things down occasionally which Master Watts has done here with a jazzy freeform version in which he switches from Tom Waits-style drunken rambler to these huge croons. And the other bonus track? Kylie Minogue’s “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” which is, quite possibly, even sexier with Watts at the helm coming off as a Duran Duran jam almost. In other words, pick up the deluxe vinyl kiddies!
Candy is out through Armalyte Industries on June 21st. You can get yours in a variety of options by clicking here and here. For the latest on <PIG>, check out his social media presence over here and here and the Pigindustries homepage here.