Rhythm & Views By Brian Mock THE MAKERS Rock Star God (Sub Pop) THE MAKERS HAVE come a long way from their early 90s retro garage/punk days in Spokane, WA. But 1998's very sexy, bootie shakin' "Psychopathia Sexualis" set them apart from run-of-the-mill garage rockers, and alienated many die-hard garage purists. It proved that The Makers were no garage punk dummies; they had evolved and learned to write good songs. Those disappointed with this change should stay far away from their latest release. Believe it or not, this time The Makers have coughed up a double-length concept album (supposedly) about a fictitious rock band. Divided in two parts, "Rock Star" gives you two sides to the band's rock 'n' roll equation. Songs such as "Too Many Fuckers (on the streets)," which is introduced by none other than Jello Biafra (!), proves that The Makers have not completely shed their punk rock blood. "Someone Else's Song," on the other hand, documents their new acoustic side. Sounding like a cross between Big Star, The Stones and The Stooges, Rock Star seems an attempt to bring out the over-the-top delivery of those bands; hence the keyboards, horns, and stadium-rock introduction by an MC. Unfortunately, The Makers get a little to close for comfort and, after multiple listens, Rock Star begins to sound a bit hollow and gluttonous. Hey, just like real rock stars! RECENT RHYTHM & VIEWS: Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP - Fred Mills (June 29, 2000) Royal Trux - The Radio Video EP - Brian Mock (June 22, 2000) MC5 - The Big Bang! Best Of The MC5 - Ron Bally (June 15, 2000)

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