*** Southern Culture on the Skids

PLASTIC SEAT SWEAT

(DGC)

Fans of these North Carolina barnburners are in for a shock when they hear this new disc, an acoustic song suite charting the destruction of tropical rain forests and, uh, wait a minute, wrong record. Actually, Plastic Seat Sweat, SCOT's second big-label release, dishes out yet another helping of the Li'l-Abner-meets-Link-Wray trashabilly the trio have spent more than a decade perfecting. Which means you'll find steamrolling soul grooves ("Banana Puddin' "), rootsy rockers ("Earthmover"), country funk ("Country Funk"), limbo rock ("House of Bamboo"), a handful of instrumentals, and plenty of songs addressing singer/guitarist Rick Miller's twin passions: sex and food. If you liked SCOTS in the past, you'll need this; if not, nothing here is going to change your mind. Matters of shtick aside, this is great rock and roll served up with unfailing good humor and a rhythm section that won't quit. If it's a greasy good time you want, no one does this kind of thing better.

(Southern Culture on the Skids play the Middle East this Saturday, September 27. Call 864-EAST.)

-- Chris Erikson