Electric Rock Music is the third album, and major-label debut, by Cincinnati-based rock band Ass Ponys. It was released in 1994 on A&M Records. It was produced by John Curley of the Afghan Whigs, at whose Ultrasuede Studio the album was recorded. The band was planning to self-release the album after they recorded it, but then they landed an unexpected deal with A&M when Jeff Suhy, one of the label's representatives, called the band's frontman, Chuck Cleaver on the phone. Suhy told Cleaver that he had pitched a recording of the album to A&M executives, and that they had approved it for release.[1][2]
Ted Simons of the Phoenix New Times described Electric Rock Music as "an engaging collection of episodes and observations put to song."[8] The Chicago Tribune's Rick Reger described the album as "excellent", and as far better as a whole than its well-known single, "Little Bastard."[9] In contrast, the Washington Post's Mark Jenkins wrote that "Most of the album's songs are crisp and shapely, though there's no other track that's so exuberantly tuneful [as "Little Bastard"]."[10] Jason Cohen of Spin wrote that "with Electric Rock Music, the band has made the album of its life."[5] Also in Spin, Jay Stowe called the album a "bright, shining light."[11]