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September 2008 Reviews by
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September 2008 Reviews by
RATING SYSTEM:
= UNBELIEVABLY INCREDIBLE
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOODIE TWO SHOES
= FAIRY FAIRY WHERE ART THOU?
= SHITTY SHITTY BLACK AND PRETTY
Matthew
Ballard - Midnight Drive (Independently
released CD, Pop/country/Americana)
Simple and straightforward melodic country pop. Matthew Ballard has
a sound and style that could easily appeal to millions of listeners. His
smooth, melodic guitar pop flows by comfortably...without unnecessary ingredients
muddying up the mix. This is Ballard's second full-length album. The disc
is full of pedal steel and cool rhythm guitars. At the heart of the tunes
are Matthew's super smooth vocals. This guy has a really nice velvety voice
that is the perfect centerpiece for his subdued guitar pop. Unlike a lot
of underground artists who tread into weird and experimental territory...this
guy is creating purely accessible music that doesn't require a lot of thought
and/or patience. All you need to do to enjoy the music is just pop the disc
in and turn up the volume. And in today's complicated musical climate...that,
indeed, can be a very good thing. Cool soft rockers include "Run
Away With Me," "Forget About You," "Never Here Again,"
and "Where Do I Go From Here." (Rating: 5)
Bears - Simple Machinery (CD, Pink Teeth, Pop)
Charlie McArthur and Craig Ramsey (the two gentlemen who created
Bears) have come a long way in a short amount of time. These fellows
began recording and releasing music in 2005 and since that time have generated
some very positive remarks from some very influential people. As of the
release of this album the band now also includes Pat McNulty, Devon
Coffee, Patrick Tripto, and Sean Sullivan. Simple Machinery
is the most focused and mature Bears disc we have heard to date. The album
features nice, smooth, hummable pop tunes with simple, appropriate arrangements
and cool, understated vocals. Some of the tracks on this album sound slightly
similar to The Beach Boys...while others remind us of some of the
cool underground Athens, Georgia pop bands from the 1990s. The band's sound
is characterized by smooth flowing rhythms and exceptionally pleasing harmony
vocals. The songs on this album don't immediately grab your attention with
power and strangeness...but rather and instead slowly sink into your subconscious
and make a real impression. Pleasantly pleasing compositions include "Please
Don't," "So Go," "Subtle Way," and "Our Time."
(Rating: 5)
Bitches teach.
Bastards play sports.
Bitches cook.
Bastards drink beer.
Bitches embrace diversity.
Bastards donate to charities.(Rating: 1)
The
Break and Repair Method - Milk the Bee
(CD, Bluhammock, Pop)
Exceptionally upbeat and melodic positive pop. On the first couple of spins
we weren't latching onto the vibes on Milk the Bee...but five spins
later we found ourselves happily humming along and tapping our toesies to
the tantalizing tunes of The Break and Repair Method. This band is
the project created by Paul Doucette who elicits support from a wide
variety of supporting singers and players on this album. Doucette writes
thoughtful smart pop tunes that are incredibly infectious...and he has a
really great sincere voice that really makes his tunes work. Although
his sound is actually quite different in many ways, in terms of the overall
vibe we could compare Doucette's tunes to Elvis Costello. The arrangements
on this album are appropriate and impeccable. Using mostly traditional instruments,
Paul manages to come up with modern classic pop tunes that could appeal
to a broad cross section of listeners. This album is housed in a nice slick
digipak sleeve and includes a lyric sheet. Top picks: "This City (Is
Bound To Do Us In)," "Forget About the Brightside," "Life
Gets Beautiful," "The Most Somebody Can Know." (Rating: 5+)
Julia
Brown - Strange Scars (Independently
released CD, Pop)
When we initially scoped out this package...we felt that this individual
would probably be just another average generic new female artist. After
all, the CD cover and accompanying materials looked just like any one of
thousands of submissions we receive each year. But our opinion quickly changed...as
the songs on Strange Scars proved us completely and totally wrong.
Julia Brown is engaging and credible...and her music absolutely cooks.
Produced by Anton Fier (Golden Palaminos), this is one hell
of an album. It is impressive indeed that this is an independently released
disc...because Scars sounds as good or better than anything released
by major labels these days. But sound quality isn't what makes this album
so desirable...it is rather, and indeed, the essence and soul of Ms. Brown
herself. Julia writes songs with real substance and she has a killer voice
that is effective and real. Her timbre is sometimes reminiscent of Britain's
Linda Lewis. Some of the tracks have commercial appeal...while others
are more moody and slightly peculiar. In an age of throwaway artists, Strange
Scars proves without a doubt that Julia Brown is a credible artist with
real, genuine talent. Smooth inviting cuts include "Unburden,"
"Hole," "Pieces of the Species," and "In Hurt's
Arms." Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
Ane
Brun - Changing of the Seasons (Import
CD, Determine, Soft progressive pop)
Interesting...and quite different from the average twenty-first century
female singer/songwriter. Norwegian Ane Brun (who now lives in Sweden)
is bound to capture people's attention with her strangely captivating sound...and
her uniquely peculiar voice (she has an odd warble that will sound decidedly
unfamiliar to the average American listener). Ms. Brun impressed a lot of
folks with her second album (A Temporary Dive) in 2006. Changing
of the Seasons will most definitely please her original fans as well
as bring in legions more. In a world full of throwaway artists Ane stands
out because her music has substance. When you hear her music, you won't
get the feeling that you have heard it all before. The songs on Changing
of the Seasons are already impressive...but they are pushed to the next
level by some extraordinary sounding arrangements. Thirteen challenging
tracks here including "The Treehouse Song," "Ten Seconds,"
"Armour," and "Linger With Pleasure." Interesting
stuff...! (Rating: 5+)
Caves - Get On With It (Independently released CD, Pop/rock)
The guys in The Caves have a sound and style that is reminiscent
of the early days of The Police. The tunes on Get On With It
are, for the most part, direct and straightforward...heavily based on precise
rhythms and intricate guitar riffs. In many ways the tunes on this album
bear a strong resemblance to British guitar bands from the late 1970s and
early 1980s. The arrangements are smart and appropriate...and the lead singer
has a voice that could easily appeal to millions of fans. Eleven tracks
here including "Curiosity," "Optimist Pessimist," "Closure,"
and "You (Plus) Me." (Rating: 4++)
Commodor
- Driving Out of Focus (CD, Distile,
Hard progressive rock)
Interesting hard progressive rock from Switzerland. Commodor is the
trio consisting of Adriano Perlini (guitar, vocals), Tim Robert-Charrue
(bass, keyboards), and Christophe Henchoz (drums). Although the songs
on Driving Out of Focus rely much more on sizzling hot crazy guitars,
the band's overall sound reminds us very much of The Young Gods.
These folks write and record unconventional rock music. If you're looking
for familiar song structures and samey sounding riffs you won't find
them here. The songs on this album are harsh, jagged, and unpredictable.
There are so many generic sounding hard rock bands in the world today. Coming
across a cool and genuinely talented band like Commodor is a refreshing
slap in the face. Eight crazy rockers including "Liquid Fire,"
"Goats on the Cliff," "Dune," and "Everlasting
Swamps of Sorrow." (Rating: 5)
Cornflakes
Heroes - Dear Mr Painkillers (CD, Greed Recordings, Pop)
We rarely hear that many French underground pop bands lately. Not sure why
this is...? As a result, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a package
from the Greed Recordings label in France. Dear Mr Painkillers
is the second full-length release from this nifty and obscure little
band. Cornflakes Heroes tunes are a bit difficult to pigeonhole.
The music definitely fits within the realm of underground pop...and the
songs (and most certainly the vocals) remind us of some of the early recorded
work of Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley. These songs have a
nice, loose feel that is a refreshing change of pace from pop bands whose
music sounds entirely too perfect for words. The band's sound is a bit of
an acquired taste (i.e., it takes more than a couple of spins to begin to
get into the music). Cool inspired tunes include "Sex on Channel #4,"
"Bloody Valentine," "Dig A Hole," and "Shabu Shabu."
Funny, quirky, and melodic. (Rating: 5)
Chris Cotton - The Big Sea (Independently released CD, Pop/folk/blues/roots)
Love the artwork on the CD itself...the information is scribbled in someone's
handwriting making it look exactly like a homemade CD-R. For folks who may
be finding Devendra Banhart's music from the past couple of years
a bit too calculated and self-absorbed...Chris Cotton may sound similar
while being more refreshing overall. Mr. Cotton writes and plays loose acoustic
bluesy pop that harkens back to the sound of artists from the 1930s and
1940s. There are definite elements of ragtime in his music. There are a
lot of artists delving into this area of music with varying results. Chris
comes across sounding genuine and real. He's got a good voice and
he knows how to use it. Ten feelgood hummable tracks here including "Blues
and Sadness," "What Would You Do?", and "The Big Sea."
(Rating: 4+++++)
Dancer vs. Politician - A City Half-Lost (Independently released CD-R, Soft pop)
Although she calls Athens, Georgia her home, Sanni Baumgaertner (the
young lady who calls herself Dancer vs. Politician) is originally
from Germany. But unlike many overseas artists who plant their roots in
American soil, Baumgaertner continues to sing in German (although she also
includes tunes here sung in English). Recorded over a two-year period, A
City Half-Lost features nice, smart, mature, soft, introspective pop
tunes that emphasize Sanni's understated and provocative voice. Players
on the album include members of Phosphorescent, The Olivia Tremor
Control, The Glands, and Five-Eight. Baumgaertner might
best be described as an "artist's artist." Her sound is probably
a bit too odd for the casual listener...but our guess is that writers and
other musicians will eat this stuff right off the plate without using utensils.
Neat, moody, subdued tracks include "Mach Dich Los," "Keine
Zeit," "Happiness," and "Homeless Mind." Nice smooth
stuff... (Rating: 5)
Steve Dawson - Telescope (CD, Black
Hen Music, Progressive/instrumental)
Although widely respected and rather successful in Canada where he resides,
Steve Dawson remains relatively unknown in the United States. This
fact will undoubtedly change over time. Telescope is the companion
album to Dawson's recently released Waiting For the Lights To Come Up...mainly
because both were recorded during the same time period...but that is where
the similarities end. While Waiting features the cool, hummable guitar
tunes Steve is mainly known for, Telescope takes off in a completely
different direction. In 2005 Dawson began studying pedal steel guitar with
guru Greg Leinsz (one of the most recorded steel players of all time).
He eventually became comfortable enough with the instrument to record this
album with supporting players Keith Lowe (bass), Chris Gestrin
(keyboards), and Scott Amendola (drums). It was no shock to find
that Tom Verlaine, Bill Frisell, and Brian Eno were
influential in the creation of this music...but we were pleasantly surprised
to note that Steve was also influenced by steel pioneers Japancakes.
While Telescopes expands the uses of steel guitar, the album is by
no means a noisy art creation. Mr. Dawson always provides quality listenable
music...and there is plenty to be found on this album. Smooth, provocative
tunes include "Caballero's Dream," "Speaker Damage,"
"Nailbiter," and "1000 Year Old Egg." Smooth and exotic.
Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
Eric
Durrance - Angels Fly Away (CD, Wind-Up, Country/pop)
Nice, smooth, hummable, accessible country pop. The cover letter that accompanied
this CD was written by Teddy Gentry of the band Alabama (who
also co-produced the album)...quite an endorsement for a new up-and-coming
country artist. Angels Fly Away is an extremely commercial sounding
album. These recordings are so professional and slick that you could ice
skate on 'em. So if you don't like that kinda thing you might be inclined
to steer away from this album. But if you're the kinda person who likes
their country pop delivered nice and easy with no glaring surprises along
the way...well then, you may very well be blown away by Eric Durrance.
One thing is certain. He's got the voice, songs, and personality to be a
big success. Eleven tracks include "Someone I Can't Live Without,"
"Life Is Hard," "This Side of Sober," and "It's
Gotta Be Love." (Rating: 4++++)
The
Faint - Fascination (CD, Blank.wav,
Progressive dance pop/rock)
This CD arrived in our pompous little mailbox without any accompanying press
release or specific information about the band...which is just fine with
us because the music of The Faint speaks for itself. The first thing
about Fascination that caught our attention was the nice, big, thick
bass sound. The guys in this band record cool, upbeat modern dance rock/pop
that is instantly catchy and hummable. The overall sound of these tunes
recalls some of the best techno bands from the 1980s without ever sounding
tired or retrospective. Folks into vintage keyboard and synth sounds will
find a lot to love here. This band uses driving steady rhythms as a basis
for their sound and then layer thick meaty keyboards over the top. The vocals
are occasionally distant and slightly impersonal...giving the songs a slight
robotic kind of feel. Imagine a cross between Kraftwerk and New
Order...and you may have some idea of what this band sounds like. Neat
infectious cuts include "Get Seduced," "Machine in the Ghost,"
"I Treat You Wrong," and "A Battle Hymn for Children."
Cool stuff...! (Rating: 5+)
Family-oriented entertainment
Is entertainment that is
Bland and
Boring.(Rating: 1)
Johnny Flynn - A Larum (CD, Lost Highway / Vertigo, Pop)
We were hesitant to label this as pop because such a category might tend
to give people the impression that the music is shallow and/or superficial...neither
of which is the case with A Larum. Johnny Flynn's music sounds
something like a more intelligent, pensive, and subdued Billy Bragg.
His narrative-style tunes are smart and mature...and the more familiar they
are the more interesting they become. He has a great voice that comes across
sounding completely genuine and sincere. In some ways, the tunes on this
album are similar to the music of John Vanderslice. We admire any
artist who creates music out of a pure love of doing so...and our guess
is that this is certainly the case with Flynn. In an age of throwaway pop
stars, this guy easily stands out from the pack because his music has substance
and style. Thirteen cool, clean tracks here including "The Box,"
"Brown Trout Blues," "Wayne Rooney," and "All the
Dogs Are Lying Down." (Rating: 5)
Mark
Geary - Opium (CD, Sona
Blast!, Soft pop)
If you're looking for the most unique and original artist on the planet,
Mark Geary isn't it. But if you're in the mood for some clean, safe,
instantly familiar sounding soft music that is bound to put you in a good
frame of mind...well, then, you might just want Opium. The accompanying
press release gives a good indication of where Geary is coming from, comparing
his music to David Gray and Elliott Smith. Mark left his native
Ireland in 1995 and moved to New York. Since that time he has had a great
deal of success with his music. Opium is bound to please existing
fans as well as bring in hoards more. Geary writes genuinely sincere tunes
that go down easy...and he has a great, laidback style of singing that is
most inviting. Soft and serene, Opium is a very strong album from
start to finish. Cool contemplative tunes include "Cold Little Fire,"
"Angel," "Always," and "The King of Swords."
(Rating: 5+)
Go to the bathroom
In your hand.
Go to the bathroom
In your shoe.
Go to the bathroom
In Japan.
Go to the bathroom
In Peru.(Rating: 1)
Hot
Lava - Lavalogy (CD, Bar/None,
Pop/rock)
The folks in Hot Lava write some very interesting and substantial
songs...but you might have to play Lavalogy a few times before the
substance sinks in. We were very hot and cool toward this disc initially...probably
because it seemed to us that the folks in the band were burying their songs
in noise and effects. To be certain, there are lots of slightly noisy sounds
going on here and a bit more vocal processing than we would like to hear.
But when you dig beneath the surface, you will find that the folks in this
band are actually very good songwriters. Many of the tracks on Lavalogy
bear a slight melodic resemblance to tunes by The Kinks from the
1960s and 1970s...but the overall sound is markedly different. Although
the tracks on this album will probably mainly appeal to younger listeners...with
a bit of tweaking, our guess is that Hot Lava tunes could easily appeal
to a wide cross section of fans. Nice hummable tunes include "Blue
Dragon" (our favorite), "Mummy Beach," "Resolutions
'08," and "Ghosties." (Rating: 4+++++)
Hurricane blew my
Kids away.
Thank you
Hurricane.(Rating: 1)
I wanna hold your hand.
I wanna hold your liver.
I wanna hold your spinal cord.
I wanna hold your lungs.
I wanna hold your tongue.
I wanna hold your intestines.(Rating: 1)
Juxta Phona & Offthesky - !Escape
Kit! (CD, Somnia Sound,
Noise/sound manipulation)
We can save conservative listeners some time here. Those who like their
music safe and simple will probably not like the music of Juxta
Phona & Offthesky. These folks create obtuse sound manipulation
pieces that twist and expand ideas. However, unlike some noise excursion
artists whose music is almost unbearable and impossible to grasp, the songs
on !Escape Kit! are surprisingly listenable. This is probably due
to the fact that many of the sounds on this album are at least somewhat
smooth and digestible. That is not to say, however, that there isn't some
experimentation going on here. This is definitely challenging music...but
it is tempered with enough musical elements to make it palpable and entertaining.
This is a limited edition pressing of only 777 copies so...click on Somnia
Sound's link above to get your nervous little paws on this one fast... (Rating:
4+++++)
The Korgis - Something About The Korgis: Sound & Vision (CD +
DVD, Angel Air, Pop)
Andy Davis and James Warren are busy guys these days. Not
only have they and their associates revived the critically acclaimed Stackridge
but they are also continuing to play and record with their "other"
band The Korgis. Many comparisons have been made between the two
bands but the main differences can be summed up simply. Whereas Stackridge
is a more adventurous outfit with an obvious sense of humor, The Korgis
is mainly a pop band with more broad commercial appeal. In terms of consistency,
we have always found Stackridge albums to be more consistent overall. But
when The Korgis hit the target...well, at that point pop music just doesn't
get much better than this. Like Stackridge, the band never had much success
in the United States despite the fact that a couple of their tunes ("If
I Had You," "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime") did very
well in other parts of the world. Something About The Korgis is the
perfect companion to the recently released Stackridge double disc set Anyone
For Tennis? Like that set, Something includes a nineteen track
"best of" CD that offers a precise overview of the band's career
as well as a DVD of the band playing live (unplugged in a recording studio).
Additionally, the DVD also includes bonus promo videos and a documentary
of the band. The unplugged performances of Korgis tunes is a real treat
as the guys offer stripped down versions of their tunes that showcase their
exceptional melodies and intelligent lyrics. Thankfully the music of The
Korgis has not gotten lost in the shuffle of modern day technology (i.e.,
too much music in too many places). Top notch stuff... (Rating: 5++)
Lady Dottie and the Diamonds - Lady Dottie and the Diamonds (Advance CD, Hi-Speed
Soul, Soul/pop/rock)
We sure hate it that we received an advance of this one because if
we had received the complete release it would have been an easy top pick
for this month. Lady Dottie is a 60-year-old black lady from Alabama
who can belt out a tune like nobody's business. Listening to this CD, we
couldn't help but be reminded of the lovely and always enchanting Lisa
Kekaula of The Bellrays. While Dottie isn't as much of a screamer,
she's got the same kind of intense spunk and gusto that make The Bellrays
such a mindblowing experience. This self-titled album has all the personality
of the best soul releases of the 1970s...pumped and fueled with a clean
modern energy and sound. You won't believe Dottie is in her 60s when you
hear this. She has an amazing voice that'll blow your mind. And her
backing band is the best. This one definitely gets a thumbs
up...but only a partial review because we received only part of the actual
final product... (Not Rated)
Crap is what
They are hungry for so
Let them eat it.(Rating: 1)
Makeout
Party - Lengths and Limits (Independently
released CD, Pop)
Based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Makeout Party is the five piece
band consisting of Neil Aitkenhead (bass), Daniel Bogan (drums),
Carmen Cirignano (vocals, guitar), Dustin Isbert (keys, guitar),
and Joseph Ryan (guitar, vocals). This band's tunes feature smooth
rhythms, cool guitars, and nice smooth vocals. Some of the melody lines
in the tunes on Lengths and Limits occasionally remind us of the
music of John Vanderslice. Enclosed in a well designed digipak sleeve,
the CD also includes a lyric sheet that makes it easy to follow along with
the music. Nice flowing pop tracks include "Sparks," "Left
You Behind," "Don't Hold Your Breath," and "When You
Find It Let Me Know." (Rating: 4+++)
Mardeen - Read Less Minds (CD, Collagen Rock, Rock/pop)
Canada's Mardeen is a guitar pop band consisting of three brothers
who grew up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Matt Ellis, Travis Ellis,
and Jon Pearo write and play what might best be described as hard
pop. Their tunes occasionally recall underground American guitar pop bands
from the 1990s. The vocals take center stage, but the instruments are by
no means shoved into the background. The nice chunky guitars are decidedly
loud and up front in the mix. The press release that accompanied this disc
compared the band's music to Built To Spill, Teenage Fanclub,
My Bloody Valentine, and Bob Pollard...all of which hold true
to some degree. On the first spin you might be inclined to think Read
Less Minds sounds like too many other pop bands. But, if your end reaction
is similar to ours, you will eventually find that there is a lot more going
on here than first meets the ears. Nice smart gliding tracks include "Come
Back," "You Feel It," "We're Moving Eyes," and
"Keep On." Very cool sounding stuff. (Rating: 5)
Jeremy
Messersmith - The Silver City (CD, Princess, Folk/pop)
Writers and other musicians all seem to be united in their unwavering support
of Jeremy Messersmith. It will be interesting to see whether or not
the public at large follows suit. After all, as genuinely good as his music
is, Jeremy writes and records music that is so soft and personal that it
just doesn't fit in with what the average twenty-first century listener
wants. In an age of throwaway meaningless pop, Messersmith may very well
find himself the darling of a small group but incredibly devoted group of
listeners...while the majority of folks lack the ability to comprehend what
he is doing. The Silver City is another amazing album from this incredibly
talented young man. Instead of creating canned crap to please the masses,
Messersmith writes and records smart, genuine, personal soft pop that is
incredibly well-crafted and real. This extraordinarily subdued album
is full of fantastic melodies and sincere lyrics. The more we hear from
Jeremy...the more intrigued we are. Killer tunes include "The Silver
City," "Dead End Job," "Love You To Pieces," and
"Virginia." Highly recommended. (Rating: 5+++)
Milosh
- iii (CD, Plug Research,
Soft progressive pop)
Milosh...lite? On his last album (Meme, 2006), Milosh
explored ideas and feelings generated by the end of a relationship. On iii
he seems to have lightened up a bit in terms of material...but the songs
are every bit as strong. This young Canadian artist creates soft electronic
pop music that is surprisingly warm and organic. Instead of predictable
dance/techno, Milosh uses sounds more like colors on a palette. The subtleties
of his music are what make it unique. In terms of overall sound, iii
is smooth and absorbing. In terms of melodies...spinning the album may give
the listener the same feeling as, say, laying in the grass on a cool afternoon
watching the clouds pass by overhead. Milosh has a great understated way
of singing...in many cases his voice almost seems to merge with the keyboards
and become an instrument itself. Nine cool heady tracks here including "Awful
Game," "Remember the Good Things," "Hold My Breath,"
and "The World." (Rating: 5+)
The
Minor White - Old Theatrics (CD, Prairie Queen, Progressive)
Summing up the sound and idea of The Minor White is, indeed, a difficult
task. With most bands, you can summarize their sound with a few words. After
spinning Old Theatrics several times, we still can't quite come up
with words to describe what is going on. And that just may be what makes
this disc such an intriguing spin. While we can't quite come up with words
to describe these tunes...in some way or another, the folks in this band
have managed to effectively capture their sound with the title of this,
their debut album. No, this isn't show music...although there are some vague
similarities. It isn't pop, because it is too unpredictable. It isn't folk
because the sound is big. It isn't truly progressive because the music is
easily accessible. In the end, the folks in Minor White are simply creating
good, credible, quality music. Songs are what make the band, of course...and
songs are the greatest strength of Old Theatrics. Critics and listeners
will no doubt be scratching their heads trying to figure out what genre
this belongs in. We ultimately don't care what category it fits in
because it is irrelevant. Originality is a rarity in today's world. And
The Minor White is a truly credible and original band. This album
features cool, flowing, hummable tracks that sound better the more familiar
they become. Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
The
Mint Chicks - Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!
(CD, Flying Nun, Pop/rock)
Fresh, energetic, exciting, vibrant pop/rock from The Mint Chicks.
Although they currently reside in Portland, Oregon, the folks in this band
are originally from New Zealand where Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! was originally
released in 2007. The album is being released for the first time in the
United States in 2008 on the Milan label. Mint Chicks tunes remind us in
many ways of songs from the first couple of albums by Canada's New Pornographers.
These guys write hooky pop tunes featuring meaty fuzzy instruments, chunky
rhythms, and cool vocal melodies. The overall sound is much rawer than the
average twenty-first century pop band...and the tunes grow on you the more
familiar they become. Some of these songs recall some of the more adventurous
British bands from the late 1970s and early 1980s...except the overall sound
is much more modern. These folks have apparently made quite an impression
on folks in Portland. With the American release of this album they are hoping
to expand the enthusiasm. This album is a great big ball of fun with plenty
of surprises thrown in. The fourteenth track is surprisingly peculiar and
odd. Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
Mirrors
- Original Motion Picture Score: Music by Javier Navarrete
(CD, Lakeshore, Film score)
A truly great motion picture score makes you want to immediately run out
and see a film...and the score to Mirrors does just that.
This film is a remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film Into the Mirror
that involves the story of an evil spirit that a security guard finds in
an abandoned department store. Javier Navarette has done an amazing
job here of creating edgy, suspenseful, eerie music that will have viewers
sitting on the edge of their seats. The tracks on this CD feature some wildly
nervous sounding violins and unconventional arrangements that are full of
surprises. There's a lot to take in here...twenty-five tracks clocking in
at over 70 minutes. We should mention that this is one of those discs that
you can enjoy despite whether or not you have an interest in the film. This
music is exciting and ultimately mentally riveting. Sensational cuts
include "Subway," "The Dressing Room," "The Quest,"
and "Possession." After hearing this, we can't wait to
see the film...! (Rating: 5++)
Mufuti
Twins - Crooning Over Sperrmull Tapes
(Import CD, All Score Media,
Pop)
We have heard thousands upon thousands of artists over the past few years
whose music recalls artists like The Beatles, The Ramones,
Ben Folds, T. Rex, Pink Floyd, The Kinks, Dusty
Springfield, Badfinger, and more...but this is probably the first
time that we have heard a band whose main mission is to bring back the
odd sound of schmaltzy 1970s artists like Tom Jones (!?!). Truth
is stranger than fiction...and the truth here is that the folks in Mufuti
Twins have managed to recreate a sound that is surprisingly realistic.
The story goes like this... Christopher Kochs and Markus Mehr
found some mysterious tapes lying around that contained recordings of an
orchestra and band that were created in the 1970s. They obtained the rights
to the music...and then proceeded to rearrange the tracks, layering in extra
percussion, guitar, harmonica, and then, ultimately those strangely realistic
Tom Jones-ish vocals. The idea works. Folks into this particular
style of music are bound to be wowed by this disc. Instead of sounding like
a reenactment, these tracks actually and truly do sound like authentic 1970s
recordings. Fifteen intriguing cuts here including "Love Is Just A
Word," "Girl On A Tree," "Easy Going Freak," and
"Cold Goodbye." Well done. (Rating: 5)
New
Radiant Storm King - Drinking in the Moonlight
(CD, Darla, Progressive pop)
Though it may be somewhat difficult to comprehend, the guys in New Radiant
Storm King have now been making music for almost 20 years. But from
the sounds on Drinking in the Moonlight, you would never know it.
Instead of burning out or fading away, these folks have managed to come
up with yet another fresh and uniquely satisfying collection of songs. The
tracks on this album are clear, clean, precise, and ultimately melodic...and
they feature some of the niftiest sounding pop guitars on the planet. This
disc is extremely consistent...making it very difficult to pick out favorites.
Each song stands squarely on its own and seems to make its own statement.
If you're looking for some totally cool, upbeat, uplifting, smart pop music
that is certain to put you in a fantastic mood...we would highly
recommend Drinking in the Moonlight. Thirteen killer cuts here including
"Soporific Slump," "Senseless," "Anything Can Happen,"
"Eight Steps Closer," and "Fall Prey." An easy...and
obvious...top pick for this month... (Rating: 5+++)
No more homosexual in
World no more.
They very tiring things
So decision was making for
Shut them out.
Phony artificial lifestyle
No longer have ability
To infect total and
Perfect reality.
Now when homo near
We no make eye contact
And only speak
When absolute for
Necessary.(Rating: 1)
Here an ostrich.
There an ostrich.
Everyone's an
Ostrich ostrich.(Rating: 1)
Pillars and Tongues - Protection (CD, Contraphonic,
Progressive)
We have learned to expect the unexpected from the folks at Contraphonic...but
this band is an odd commodity by virtually anyone's standards. Pillars
and Tongues is the trio consisting of Mark Trecka, Evan Hydzik,
and Elizabeth Remis...three folks who obviously don't give a rat's
ass about making money and becoming hugely successful overnight. These three
individuals dabble in a multitude of musical styles. Everything from folk
to modern classical to blues to experimental to underground pop to jazz
and beyond...is cultivated and reconstructed. The idea here is apparently
to create first out of a pure desire to create...and then let the band and
their listeners form impressions afterwards. There's a lot of spontaneous
improvisation going on here, so if you're the kind of listener who likes
everything safely planned out...consider yourself forewarned. This is a
difficult album to digest and summarize...and a lot of the music is strangely
calming and dreamlike. There are lots of nuances layered into these tunes...making
it sound better each time you hear it. Intriguing. (Rating: 5)
Proud
Simon - Night of Criminals (Independently
released CD, Pop)
Underground pop music that sounds like anything but underground pop
music. Proud Simon was formed in Rochester, New York and this is
their third full-length release. True to the claim of the press release
that accompanied this CD, the music is in the same general category as artists
like Wilco, Fleetwood Mac, and The Decemberists...which
might place it in the category Americana pop. Despite the fact that there
are a great many players on this album (sixteen contributing musicians are
listed), the album has a surprisingly open and clean sound. The songs are
melodic and smart...and the vocals are present and up front in the mix.
Unlike a lot of up-and-coming bands, the guys in Proud Simon could easily
be catapulted into celebrities if the timing is right. Strong songs abound
here. Some of our favorites include "Newspaper Boat," "Everywhere,"
and "Last One Left." (Rating: 4++++)
The
Residents - The Bunny Boy (CD, MVD Audio, Progressive)
We've been taking in the music of The Residents since their early
1970s releases when their recordings were almost non-musical. In the twenty-first
century, the band has been taking a slightly more conventional approach
to their art. As a result, some original fans have been resistant to the
changes and have reacted with hostility. While slightly more odd than we
were expecting, The Bunny Boy seems to explore musical terrain similar
to what the band was experimenting with on Demons Dance Alone (which
is a remarkable album). Fans of the band's old sound should note that many
of the sounds and ideas on The Bunny Boy harken back to the early
days of The Residents. This time around the recordings were made with the
assistance of special guests Carla Fabrizio, Nolan Cook, and
Joshua Raoul Brody. Bunny presents nineteen tracks that rely
on that ever-so-slightly atonal sound the band is known for and that unmistakable
Residents voice. As is the case with all Residents albums, Bunny
will take many spins to fully soak in. This may not be the most genre-bending
album the band has ever released...but there's a hell of a lot here
to admire. The Residents remain one of the most artistically successful
bands that has ever existed. (Rating: 5++)
Rework - Pleasure Is Pretty (Import CD, All
Score Media, Pop)
Rework is an interesting trio treading in territory often forgotten
in the world of popular music. The tracks on Pleasure Is Pretty recall
very early new wave bands from the late l970s and early 1980s when drum
machines were beginning to surface and folks were just starting to make
purely electronic pop music. The dated percussion is a dead giveaway of
the band's influences. The tinny, odd rhythms are way out-of-synch with
the sounds one normally hears on twenty-first century recordings. Add to
that the strangely impersonal vocals of Sascha Hedgehog...and you
have a band that is creating an odd brand of simple electronic drone pop
that most listeners probably never even knew existed in the first place.
It's an interesting concept that plays out rather well. Intriguing cuts
include "Wrong In All Our Ways," "Losing Myself," "Come
On," and "Busdriver." (Rating: 4++++)
Stacie
Rose - Shotgun Daisy (CD, Enchanted, Pop)
It would have been very easy to have tossed this disc aside without a second
thought. After all, Stacie Rose creates hummable smooth pop that
sounds very similar to thousands of other artists. But instead of throwing
this disc to the side we continued spinning it until...the songs eventually
had a real impact on us and we realized that we had to cover Shotgun
Daisy. True, these songs are very safe and sound very familiar...but
in the end the intent behind the music is what makes this album such a pleasing
and rewarding spin. Stacie surrounds herself with a multitude of top notch
players and she writes songs that could easily be appreciated by the masses.
But instead of penning mere fluff, her songs have depth and seem to come
from her soul. Add in the fact that this young lady has an absolutely killer
voice...and you have a cool, uplifting album that will surely stand the
test of time. Smooth pop cuts include "Find Your Way," "Hope,"
"Wreck At Best," and "Hit Me in the Head." Nice, smooth,
hummable stuff... (Rating: 5)
Todd
Rundgren - Arena (Advance CD-R, Hi
Fi Recordings, Pop/rock)
In direct contrast to many of his albums of the past few years, Todd
Rundgren created Arena to please his fans. And our guess is that,
for the most part, this album will achieve its intended effect. Considering
what an incredibly gifted guitar player Todd has always been, it seemed
disappointing that his past few albums haven't featured much guitar. Arena
is an abrupt change of pace...as the album's tunes are centered around those
wonderfully fluid guitar sounds that harken back to the days of Utopia.
Rundgren got the idea for creating a guitar-based rock album after his stint
playing in The New Cars (a move that we still find confusing). Fans
still waiting for another Ballad of Todd Rundgren or Something/Anything?
won't get their fix here... But for Todd's fans who aren't expecting or
wanting a rehash of the past, Arena is bound to please. Hell, even
if you don't care for the songs...just about anyone who loves great
guitar playing can appreciate these tracks. We would have liked to have
seen the actual complete release on this one rather than an advance CD-R.
As such, this one definitely gets a thumbs up...but only a partial
review because we received only part of the actual final product... (Not
Rated)
Okay everybody,
Lemme hear you.
Put your hands together now.
Okay lemme hear you
Shit to the music.
I can't hear you,
C'mon everybody.
All together now.
Shit to the music.(Rating: 1)
Silent
Kids - Dinosaurs Turn Into Birds (CD,
Two Sheds Music, Pop)
Cool hummable pop with slight hints of psychedelia. Atlanta's Silent
Kids create nice, smooth, intelligent pop music that is not unlike some
of the more accessible stuff released by The Flaming Lips in the
1990s. While the tunes on Dinosaurs Turn Into Birds are, for the
most part, straightforward pop...the folks in this band are not above throwing
all kinds of odd audio surprises into their music. And instead of using
familiar standard arrangements, they are amazingly creative with their instruments.
Recorded output has been somewhat sporadic thus far. The band's debut self-titled
album was released in 2001 with a 2003 follow-up (Tomorrow Waits)...then
a five year lapse before this album came out. This is probably because the
band members have also been involved in various other projects. We can only
hope that Dinosaurs really captures peoples' attention. This is an
extremely strong album full of cool hooks and really nifty guitar
sounds...and the vocals are out-of-this world. Pop lovers will go apeshit
over clever tracks like "Stars and Rust," "The Marble Faun,"
"Radio Was Unplugged," "The Hissing of the Summer Grass,"
and "One Hundred Years From Now." Recommended. (Rating: 5++)
Silver
Darling - Your Ghost Fits My Skin (CD,
Crossbill, Progressive
pop)
There are tons upon tons of bands playing the style of music that the guys
in Silver Darling play. Accordingly, the world of sparse, subdued,
progressive folk/pop/alt-country can be somewhat of a dangerous territory
to be in. Songs are at the heart of it all, however, and songs are what
make Your Ghost Fits My Skin an interesting and intriguing spin.
Vocalist/guitarist Kevin Lee Florence seems to have more to say than
the average underground alt-country artist...and in many cases the way
he says it is a helluva lot more interesting. He has a nice loose sounding
voice that comes across sounding spontaneous and ever-so-slightly unrehearsed.
Florence writes tunes that recall music from the 1930s and 1940s...but the
band has a decidedly twenty-first century sound and style. Fourteen interesting
cuts here including "Living For Breath," "Interlude,"
"My Hidden Wife," and "Hanging Rest." (Rating: 5)
Small White - Do It Till It Ends (CD, UF, Progressive pop)
Interesting and different. Small White is the Twin Cities, Minnesota
duo consisting of Alex and Chout. The album begins with the
curious experimental "Intro." But immediately afterward these
two individuals launch into aggressive underground guitar pop. The sound
of Small White is similar in some ways to Devo...particularly the
vocals. Some of the songwriting is slightly reminiscent of early Flaming
Lips. The song titles are great...makes us wish that this album had
included a lyric sheet. The decidedly underground sound of the tunes on
Do It Till It Ends is appropriate for these odd pop ditties. Thirteen
smart little oddities including "Screens," "Melting Microphones,"
"Leave It All Behind," and "Drowning Poseur." (Rating:
4+++++)
Stackridge - Anyone For Tennis? Sound & Vision (CD + DVD, Angel Air, Pop)
Stackridge is probably one of the most criminally overlooked bands
outside of their native Great Britain. Despite the fact that these fellows
have written and recorded some of the most stellar and timeless pop tunes
of our time, they largely remain unknown and overlooked in other parts of
the world. Nowadays there seems to be a revival and renewed interest however,
in large part because the band has begun playing together again. For those
who aren't familiar with Stackridge, the band's tunes sound very similar
to a perfect cross between The Beatles, Squeeze, and The
Bonzo Dog Band. The double disc set Anyone For Tennis? serves
as an almost perfect introduction to this uniquely intriguing band. The
CD in the set offers an overview of the band's music featuring fifteen tunes
taken from all seven of their studio albums. This disc is chock full of
great memories for those who already know the music. For those who don't...it's
a total and real taste treat. The DVD features the band playing their hits
at a sold out concert in 2007 at the Rondo Theatre in Bath, England. These
guys obviously spent a great deal of time preparing for this show. The recreations
are impeccable...sounding as fresh and inspired as when they were originally
recorded. The two young ladies on violin seem to be having a particularly
great time during this show. Considering how many amazing Stackridge songs
there are...it seems utterly amazing that the band never had even
one single hit tune or well-selling album in the United States. Perhaps
younger listeners in this country will be inspired by releases like this
to explore some of the more uniquely British acts that never received the
attention they obviously deserve. This release makes us want to gather up
all of the CD reissues of the band's albums... (Rating: 5+++)
Cat Stevens - A Classic Concert: Tea For the Tillerman Live (DVD, Wienerworld
/ MVD Visual)
This is an incredible snapshot of Cat Stevens when he was in tip
top form. Although Stevens had already had a career earlier in life as a
schmaltzy pop star in Great Britain and had also lived through a life threatening
illness, it was only when the tune "Wild World" became a hit that
people in the United States first became aware of his existence. To capitalize
on his newfound American success in 1971, Cat was flown to KCET Studios
in Los Angeles to film this intimate show. The concert is short, lasting
only about half an hour. But in that amount of time a young Cat Stevens
managed to captivate and impact an audience who would never forget his name
and his music. All but one tune ("Moonshadow") are from his Tea
For the Tillerman album. These incredibly strong renditions are, in
many ways, even stronger than the studio recordings. Particular standout
tracks include the riveting "On the Road To Find Out," "Miles
From Nowhere," "Longer Boats," and the tune that still evokes
strong emotions in most Stevens fans, "Father and Son." Cat Stevens
was a rare breed of musician who was able to write and record commercial
songs that were also artistically viable and have weathered the test of
time. Although most people tend to label his music folk or pop, in actuality
it was neither. Instead of preachy folk he presented simple concrete ideas
that most people could identify with using an acoustic guitar. But unlike
pop music, his songs had real depth and character. If you ever loved this
fellow's music, this DVD is an absolute must have. Even though it
is very short (even with the inclusion of the Teaser and the Firecat
short it only last slightly over 30 minutes), this is absolutely essential
viewing material. Highly recommended. (Rating: 5+++)
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo - Original Score from the Animated Feature: Music Composed
by Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis
(CD, La-La Land, Soundtrack)
The score to the film Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo was recorded
by Dynamic Music Partners which is the trio consisting of Kristopher
Carter, Michael McCuistion, and Lolita Ritmanis. Although
the sounds on this CD are similar and familiar to those found on other twenty-first
century film soundtracks, there is one major difference: The songs are centered
around the main instrument which is an electric guitar. It's a bit of a
clash of styles in a way...and somewhat reminiscent of some of the progressive
rock dinosaurs from the late 1970s. Our guess is that Carter, McCuistion,
and Ritmanis wrote this music to appeal to a very young audience...those
folks who are most likely to see and enjoy Teen Titans. This is an
intriguing and different twenty-one track score that doesn't sound like
all the rest. And that, in and of itself, is somewhat of a miracle. Fun,
upbeat, and occasionally thought provoking... (Rating: 4++++)
Give my regards to Broadway.
Give my leotards to Broadway.
Give my cigars to Broadway.
Give my bowel movements
To Broadway.(Rating: 1)
Wash your baby
In the toilet.
Use feces for soap
And use urine
To rinse.(Rating: 1)
Topaz
& Mudphonic - Music for Dorothy (Independently
released CD, Pop/blues/groove)
This album by Topaz and Mudphonic came to us at just the right time. After
hearing a non-stop plethora of ultra creative and totally weird artistic
recordings...Music for Dorothy was like getting hit in the face with
a bucket of cold water. The folks in these bands play cool inviting blues/groove
pop music demands movement from listeners. These four fellows (Topaz
McGarrigle, John Branch, Bobby Perkins, Alex Marrero)
play music that is decidedly direct and unpretentious. Their tunes are full
of slightly funky rhythms and foot-stomping harmonica. In a world where
technology is so often used to hide the fact that the artist has no credible
songs...Music for Dorothy is refreshingly organic and real.
Cool toe tappers include "Lonely," "Sunshine," "Twin
Oaks," and "Brothers." (Rating: 5+)
Animals turn into shit.
Plants turn into shit.
Clouds turn into shit.
People turn into shit.(Rating: 1)
Camren Von Davis - Bobby Barbados (Independently released CD, Progressive
pop)
Imagine crossing the music of Vivian Stanshall with The Frogs...and
you may begin to have some idea of what Camren Von Davis sounds like.
"Cactus Lizard," the opening track on this album, immediately
caught our attention by posing the curious question "Everybody is
a cactus so why am I a lizard?" Bobby Barbados is, first
and foremost, an artistic creation. Von Davis isn't recording music with
the idea of making a fortune. Instead, he writes and records oddball underground
pop that will only appeal to a small cross section of the population. If
you're looking for a quick easy fix, you probably won't find it here.
We had to spin this CD about a dozen times or more before the strange qualities
of the music began to fully sink in. But the time was well spent...because
the more familiar these tunes become the more meaningful they seem. Thirteen
curiosities here including "Clouds of Poison," "Pickle Jar,"
"Microchip," and "Feeling Good." Strangely compelling
stuff... (Rating: 5+)
Andy Vought - Where Moonlight Resides (Independently released CD-R,
Soft folky pop)
If there is one word we would use to describe this album that word would
be...inspired. Independently recorded, produced, and released, Where
Moonlight Resides is a surprisingly mature and listenable album. And
unlike almost every other home recording artist in the United States, Andy
Vought is not writing and recording upbeat catchy pop.
Instead, his tunes are surprisingly sparse, restrained, genuine, and personal.
Andy knows just how to piece his songs together in such a way as to get
the point across...without annoying unnecessary details getting in the way.
His restrained acoustic guitar sounds are excellent. We hate not
adding a link here, but at this point Vought only has a MySpace.com web
site (and we don't link to that site). Instead, here is a contact e-mail
address: andyyv1@cox.net. A very talented young fellow with an uncanny
knack for writing honest, personal, real music. (Rating: 4+++++)
Absentee - Victory shorts
Arch Cupcake - Ugly sweater party mixtape volume I
Ariel Abshire - Exclamation love
Action Design - Never say
Joe Bace - Mono-A-mono EP-A
Batman Gotham Knight - Soundtrack from the DC universe animated original
movie
Bens Jazz Kit - Dizzy minds
Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few - What the boat gave the river
Marie Black - Water me
Cameron Blake - Over and over
Jim Boggia - Misadventures in stereo
Botticellis - "Table by the window" b/w "Awaiting on you
all"
Chesterfield - Death grip
Chop Chop - Screens
College - Original motion picture soundtrack
Dylan Champagne - New equation
Destination: Oblivion - The bridge to no where
Doc Thomas Group - The Italian job
Lila Downs - Shake away
Dregs - ...the river cityi rock and roll ep...
Dub Gabriel - Anarchy & alchemy
The Duchess - Music from the motion picture
James Dunn - The long ride home
E. Joseph and the Phanton Heart - All the medicine in the world...
Elegy - Original motion picture soundtrack
Empty Mirror - Overwhelm
End of the World - French exit
Eureka - Original soundtrack
Fenix Down - Broken hero
Folklore - Carpenter's falls
Forizblue - Showdown
Grayceon - This grand show
Guernica - Who are your songs for?
Brent Gunter - Andalucia
Mary O. Harrison - Factory of days
Henry Poole Is Here - Original motion picture soundtrack
Honeycomb - Worldwide electric inventor's kit
Hush Arbors - Hush Arbors
Killroy - Football chants and angry rants
Koufax - Strugglers
Lampshades Are Alright - Lampshades Are Alright
Laydownmains - Mama, go rest on high
Libera - New dawn
Linfinity - A manual for free living: installation
Listing Ship - A hull full of oil and bone
Lost Horizons - The continuing adventures of abney park
Lucky Ghost - Network stars
Luxury Sweets "Wishing Well" b/w The Greatest Hits "For Our
Hearts"
Magnificents - Year of explorers
Moose Jaw - Seduce and paralyze
Muy Cansado - Stars and garters
New Duncan Imperials - End of phase one
New Up - Broken machine
NYpoleon - THe warm up
Play> - Play>
Prodigy - H.N.I.C. Pt. 2
Pro Tools - GZA/genius
Push Button For - Chemistry sex/guessing games
Radio Freedom - This is radio freedom
Jody Raffoul - Big sky
Religious Knives - The door
Saved by Saskatoon - Saved by Saskatoon
Michael Scott - Ray ray's juke joint
Sharks and Sailors - Builds brand new
Paco Shipp - One in a million
Keaton Simons - Can you hear me
Sisterhood of the traveling pants 2 - Music from the motion picture
Soft War - Soft War
Son of Dave - Son of Dave
Jessie Sparks - Breathe easy
Alex Statan - Go big or go home
Stratocruiser - Egg shells
Strive - Fire
Tim Young Band - The cost
Tin Veil - Hand in the dark
Touchers - Blithe
Tough Shits - "Flash art," "Heard she kisses on the mouth"
b/w The Greatest Hits "Electric blanket boogie," "I'm coming
down again"
McCarthy Trenching - Calamity drenching
Unwritten Law - Live and lawless
Various Artists - Mohawk bomb records no lip vol. 1 compileation
VIR - Shadow of a mountain
Phil Wilson - Industrial strength
Alex Woodard - Alex Woodard
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