ELECTRIC SIX TURN UP THE EXCESS: A GLORIOUSLY UNHINGED RETURN TO ‘MASTER’ STATUS

Electric Six – I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being The Master (Expanded Edition)
Jace Media Music Review

There are albums that age gracefully… and then there are albums that kick the door back in years later, louder, weirder, and somehow even more essential. Electric Six’s “I Shall Exterminate Everything Around Me That Restricts Me From Being The Master” falls firmly into the latter category, and this newly remastered and expanded 2xLP release proves that excess—when done right—never goes out of style.

Originally unleashed in 2007, this fourth studio outing from the Detroit disco-punk misfits was already a chaotic cocktail of garage rock, new wave swagger, sleazy funk, and tongue-in-cheek absurdity. Now, with a fresh sonic polish and a generous helping of bonus material, it feels like the album has finally become the full-throttle beast it was always meant to be.

Opening with “It’s Showtime!”, Electric Six waste no time setting the tone—jazzy, cabaret-tinged, and dripping in theatrical flair. It’s a bizarre curtain-raiser, but one that perfectly signals the madness to follow. From there, “Down at McDonellzzz” and “Dance Pattern” inject a gritty, groove-laden punch, blending dancefloor rhythms with snarling attitude in a way only this band can pull off.

Tracks like “Rip It!” and “Feed My Fuckin Habit” deliver short, sharp shocks of punk-fuelled energy, while “Riding On The White Train” and “Broken Machine” bring in a darker, more mechanical edge. There’s a constant sense that anything could happen next—and usually does.

One of the album’s most intriguing moments comes with “When I Get To The Green Building”, a surprisingly melodic, almost radio-friendly track that leans into a softer, Coldplay-esque sensibility—before the band inevitably swerve back into chaos. “Randy’s Hot Tonight!” and “Kukuxumushu” keep things unpredictable, delivering infectious hooks wrapped in surreal humour and off-kilter charm.

The middle stretch of the album is where Electric Six truly flex their versatility. “I Don’t Like You”, “Lucifer Airlines”, and “Lenny Kravitz” are punchy, irreverent, and irresistibly fun, while “Fabulous People” and “Sexy Trash” double down on the band’s knack for crafting outrageous, danceable anthems that refuse to take themselves too seriously.

Then comes “Dirty Looks”—arguably the album’s crowning moment. A triumphant blend of new wave sheen and stoner rock weight, it explodes with swagger and purpose, showcasing the band at their most cohesive and commanding.

The expanded edition brings even more to the table. The inclusion of “The Sheik Don’t Lie” and the standout cover of Harry Nilsson’s “One” adds fresh layers to the experience. Their take on “One” is crunchier, darker, and laced with just enough angst to make it feel like a natural fit within the Electric Six universe—equal parts homage and reinvention.

Demo versions of “Randy’s Hot Tonight!” and “Lenny Kravitz” offer a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain, while the remix of “It’s Showtime!” rounds things off with a fitting nod to the band’s theatrical DNA.

What makes this album endure is its fearless commitment to being unapologetically itself. It’s messy, it’s excessive, it’s ridiculous at times—but it’s also incredibly smart, sharply executed, and endlessly entertaining. Electric Six have always thrived in the space between satire and sincerity, and this record captures that balance perfectly.

This expanded release isn’t just a reissue—it’s a reminder. A reminder that music can be fun, strange, and wildly unpredictable without losing its edge.

Excess? Absolutely. Necessary? Without a doubt.