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April 2001 Reviews by
Some
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April 2001 Reviews by
Rating System:
= GODDAMN!!!
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOOD
= FAIR
= SHITTY
We have no comment this month...
Alien
Ant Farm - ANThology (CD, Newnoize/Dreamworks, Rock)
Loud and punchy riff rock. Judging from the title of the disc, we can't
help but wonder if these guys have ever heard of...Adam Ant? (Here's
hoping they drop the "ant" jokes real soon.) But that is an issue
for the marketing department, is it not? Alien Ant Farm play pulsing
hard rock with an emphasis on melodies. And though the music is rather aggressive,
the songs come through loud and clear. Actually, if you took away those
overdriven guitars these guys would sound like a straightforward pop band
(the vocals remind us of Duran Duran). Our top picks are "Courage,"
"Summer," and "Smooth Criminal." Good loud stuff that
oughta appeal to the kids... (Rating: 3+)
Terry Anderson - I'll Drink to That (CD, Not
Lame Recording Company, Pop)
Instantly infectious upbeat hyper pop music. You've just gotta love anyone
who can write a nice upbeat song with a chorus line like Daddy had a
wreck and killed everybody in the car. The way Terry Anderson
sings it, you'd swear that it's a good thing (which in the case of most
families, it probably WOULD be). The tunes on I'll Drink to That
are a cool mixture of 1950s pop and 1960s bubblegum. There is an overall
mood of happy exuberance that we find MOST refreshing. There are some mind
boggling tunes here. Our own peculiar favorites are "Boyfriend 2,"
"Nastiest House," and "Stay Away From Your Heroes."
These tunes are smart, snappy, happy, catchy, crazy, and absolutely WONDERFUL.
For a totally straight dose of pop with no filler added, you won't do much
better than this. GREAT stuff...! (Rating: 5)
David
Andrews - Get Me Out of This Place (CD,
Siren Music, Americana pop)
With so many artists and bands out there with a gimmick and an image to
sell, genuine and sincere folks tend to stick out like a sore thumb. Portland's
David Andrews is not out to impress...or to shock...or to blow people
away with volume. Instead, his intent is to simply write and record genuine
heartfelt music. And on Get Me Out of This Place...he succeeds. Although
Andrews may very well want to kill us for the comparison, his vocal style
reminds us of very eary Rick Springfield (minus the accent). The
songs themselves, however, are very different. The melodies are strong and
the arrangements basic and appropriate. Particularly appealing are the lap
steel guitar and fiddle that help to beef things up. Our favorites here
are "Runnin' Away Again," "2,000 Miles," and "The
Little Things." This is a nice slice of what American pop music ought
to sound like if things were as they should be. Sadly, there are very few
who take such a straight and real approach to making music. Accordingly,
this makes David Andrews a very special experience indeed... (Rating: 5)
Autour
de Lucie - Faux Mouvement (CD, Nettwerk, Soft pop)
Although we can't exactly explain why...for some reason super slick pop
always sounds better when the lyrics are sung in French. Why is this...?
Hmmm... Whatever the reason, this is most certainly the case with Autour
de Lucie. We loved this band's last release, and Faux Movement
is just as good if not better and more varied. At the forefront are those
super sexy, breathy vocals that are just TOO good. But the arrangements...slightly
accidental keyboards mixed with subtle guitars...make for some simultaneously
heady and relaxing listening. This band sounds something like babysue
favorite Ivy...except the music is much more moody and subtle. The
production on this baby is impressive...the person at the board obviously
paid great attention to detail in painting these audio portraits. Whether
pumping out dub pop or pure ambient pop, Autour de Lucie provide a wonderful
slice of French pop music that ought to sound right at home on both French
and American radio... Very relaxing, very nice... (Rating: 5)
Benjamins - The Art of Disappointment (CD, MCA/Drive-Thru, Pop)
Nice melodic buzzsaw guitar pop with a slightly snotty attitude. This is
the debut CD from the Benjamins, and it's chock full of smart and punchy
hooks. The band sets a solid foundation with a super macho rhythm section
that pumps like the ocean...and then adds layers of cool overdriven guitars
with melody lines from a vocalist who can actually sing on key. But don't
get the idea that these guys are wimps just because they can carry a tune.
Quite the contrary, as is evidenced by such hard pop tunes as "Couch,"
Clover," and "Little Tin Heart" (the last track is definitely
our favorite). What is really nice here is that while these guys have the
ability to do some wonderful harmony vocals, they don't OVERDO it (as most
bands tend to do). The nice balance of vocal styles adds a great deal of
depth to the music...making The Art of Disappointment a disc that
you can play over and over and over and over... (Rating: 4+)
Big
dumb Face - Duke Lion Fights the Terror!!
(CD, Flawless/Flip/Geffen, Rock)
This one-man-band took us totally by surprise for the one simple fact that
it is just so damn SILLY. And it made us realize how tiring it can be listening
to WAY TOO MANY bands who take themselves WAY TOO SERIOUSLY. Well, that's
only our wurfliss l'il ol' opinion, mind you...but you can bet your bottom
that Big dumb Face was the refresher course we needed this month.
This music on this disc was written, performed, engineered, and produced
almost entirely by Wes Borland (who just happens to be the guitarist
for the notoriously overrated Limp Bizkit). This is far superior
to anything "the biscuit" has thus far produced for a variety
of reasons... The tunes on Duke Lion Fights the Terror!! sound something
like a cross between Primus, Morbid Angel, Frank Zappa,
and Nine Inch Nails. Sound ridiculous? Well...it IS. The band names
of the "live band" are priceless. The players are The Three
Headed Dimetrian Pup, The Tongue of Colicab, Joe Couch,
and The Cardboard Urinal (and NO, we did NOT make these up ourselves).
So you see, dear readers, the major labels still ARE releasing offbeat and
crazy stuff...it's just that there needs to be a "star connection"
in order for this to occur. Naw, honestly...the folks at Geffen and Interscope
deserve some bonus points for putting something this strange out there...
Absurd and hilarious, yet still credible musically... (Rating: 4)
Dave
Brockie Experience - Diarrhea of a Madman
(CD, Metal Blade, Rock)
Though most people would probably not know him by his real name, Dave
Brockie is the lead singer of infamous rock theater band GWAR.
Apparently limited by the somewhat focused career of his "main"
band, Brockie has been known to go off and perform his own musical experiments.
The Dave Brockie Experience is his latest creation. This is a weird
disc that contains all styles of music. At times the music is very reminiscent
of mid-period Devo, while other tunes sound like 1990s California
punk. It is difficult to tell how serious Mr. Brockie is with this release...or
if he is even serious at all. No matter... Perhaps that is the point, as
this teeters on that fine line between the silly and the serious. Whereas
the music of GWAR is a bizarre hybrid of progressive rock and death metal,
the music on this disc is an even odder combination of pop, rock, experimentation,
goofy Zappa-esque progressive music, and punk. The intriguing part
here is how well Brockie and his pals execute their ideas. This is by no
means a "trash" CD. The recording quality is excellent and you
can tell that a great deal of thought went into the arrangements as well
as the recording. Our favorites here are the surprisingly catchy "Pants"
and the relatively straightforward "I Clean Up Real Good." Very
different and very difficult listening... (Rating: 4)
Calendar Girl - Everyone But You (CD, Intelligent,
Pop/rock)
Good hummable guitar pop from Boston. Calendar Girl has been in existence
since 1997 and although they previously released an EP entitled Cool
Rocketships in 1999, this is the band's debut full-length. The band's
music is characterized by loud overdriven guitars and driving rhythms, but
the vocals are more in line with pure pop music. The compositions on Everyone
But You contain straight shots of melody punctuated by clever lead guitars.
Some folks might call this alternative rock, but that seems like such a
meaningless phrase...doesn't it? "Long Time" is our favorite here.
If it's upbeat melodic pop/rock you want, Calendar Girl will provide. A
nice and consistent CD... (Rating: 4)
Michael Carpenter - Hopefulness (CD, Not
Lame Recording Company, Pop)
Nice clean pop that combines elements from bands like Squeeze and
the Beach Boys. Soaring melodies abound on Hopefulness, and
the tunes harken back to pop music from the early eighties...when guitars
were clean and vocal harmonies were the norm. Mr. Carpenter can write some
mighty meaty hooks...and he's got a super confident vocal style that really
brings the tunes to life. The arrangements fit the style of music perfectly...making
this disc sound like a stream of "oughta be" hits. If you are
tired of talented artists who simply don't have the writing skills to make
it all happen, Michael Carpenter will be a breath of fresh air. His songs
have a sincere and genuine quality sadly lacking in most of the throwaway
artists of our time. Timeless and cool, this is a disc to play again and
again and again... (Rating: 4+)
Cinerama
- John Peel Sessions (CD, Manifesto,
Pop)
For those who haven't been keeping up, Cinerama is the newest project
spearheaded by David Gedge (formerly of The Wedding Present).
And for those who haven't been paying attention, Cinerama is every bit as
engaging and entertaining as Gedge's former band. The music is much lighter...as
David continues to get in touch with his obvious love of pop music. This
is the third Cinerama release. The disc contains segments recorded for notorious
British DJ John Peel's radio program--twelve tracks, most of which
we had heard before (different versions this time). But it is refreshing
to hear them with a slightly different slant...and with less polish (we
like the sparse sound better). Of particular interest are the last two tracks
that were recorded live at Peel's 60th birthday party. David Gedge has never
received the attention he deserves in the United States. Will this ever
change...? And why is it that all of the truly great British songwriters
are always doomed to obscurity in the states? In any case, this is another
recommended release from a truly entertaining band... (Rating: 5)
Les
Claypool's Frog Brigade - Live Frogs Set
1 (CD, Prawn Song, Progressive jazz rock)
Dear Mr. Claypool:
Why do you put out stuff like this? You are such a talented and amazing
fellow. You obviously are one of the most superb musicians on the planet.
But we cannot help but be honest and say that Live Frogs Set 1 does
not live up to the high standards we have come to expect from you. Your
material is usually very funny as well as mentally challenging. The material
on this CD is neither funny nor challenging. We refuse to stop believing
in you because we believe that all creative people have lapses from time
to time. Could you please just promise us one thing...? Could you promise
us that you will never ever cover another Pink Floyd song again?
Sincerely,
LMNOP
~~~ TOP PICK FOR APRIL 2001 ~~~
Mark D
- The Silent Treatment (CD, Tee
Pee, Defies categorization)
This is easily the WEIRDEST music release we have heard thus far in 2001.
That in itself is something, but even more importantly this is also one
of the BEST things we've heard thus far. There's a great difference between
weird and good. Many musical artists are weird but not good. Mark D
is both. And his music is one big dose of heady and intelligent confusion.
The best part? The more you listen, the STRANGER it gets. If you want to
experience what it is like taking drugs but don't want the health risks,
playing The Silent Treatment will most certainly take you to that
higher level. The overall sound is something like an abstract painting put
to music. This guy deserves MAJOR POINTS for this creation. Why? Because
this CD has virtually no commercial appeal whatsoever. But artistically...sheesh...
This thing hits extreme highs as well as lows...that you hardly EVER hear
in modern music. And whereas most folks seem concerned with spewing out
music that fits in one or two genres...this spills over into everything
at one time or another during the course of these sixteen tracks. But let's
see...we still haven't gotten around to describing exactly what this sounds
like. Well, there's a reason for that. In this particular instance we cannot
describe it. And that is the beauty of this release. It is purely its own
entity. One thing is for certain. It is definitely not for everyone. This
is beyond the comprehension of most folks (that includes us). It doesn't
get much better...or much stranger...than this. This is one of our TOP PICKS
for 2001. TOTALLY INCREDIBLE AND MIND EXPANDING... (Rating: 6)
Dark Fantastic - Goodbye Crooked Scar (CD, Up,
Rock/pop)
Wonderful. Just wonderful. Dark Fantastic is the latest project spearheaded
by Mark Pickerel (who has played with Screaming Trees and
Truly). We never understood why Truly never made much of an impact,
because we loved the band's music. As much as we loved Truly, Dark Fantastic
is even more...fantastic. The tunes on Goodbye Crooked Scar are built
around beautifully soaring melodies and feature incredible vocals and mesmerizing
arrangements. These compositions are as polished and professional as anything
on a major label...and possibly even more so. There's no telling how many
hours went into creating this masterpiece. We can hear traces of a great
many bands but no one in particular comes to mind. The guitar lines in particular
are ASTOUNDING. Only eight tunes here, but they are all meaty, heady, and
super intelligent pieces... (Rating: 5+)
Darwa
- More Life More Trouble (CD, Abstrakt
Reality, Dance pop)
Super slick...super thick...super heady...and super smooth. Darwa
is the duo of Darja Klancar and Mario Marlot from Ljubljana,
Slovenia. The two traveled to Los Angeles to cut the tracks for More
Life More Trouble. Obviously the results were worth the trip. Studio
polish and effects drip all over the place on this disc. And that might
be obnoxious...except for the facts that (a) the band has good songs and
(b) Ms. Klancar has a remarkable voice. Though the music has definite commercial
appeal, there are enough abstract electronics noodling around in the background
to keep things from getting boring. The music has a nice calming effect
on the listener...but this is not just mood music. A lot of thought and
imagination went into the creation of this CD. Our favorite cuts are "Hard
Times," "Take A Walk," "Eternal Fire," and "Now
and Then." We hope that the band doesn't hate us for saying this, but
this music may very well appeal to Madonna fans (that includes us,
of course). Hot stuff... (Rating: 4)
Mark Farina - Mushroom Jazz 3 (CD, Om,
Various artists)
We rarely review various artists compilations mainly because it is difficult
to write a single review that covers a dozen or more artists. In this case
we make an exception...because DJ Mark Farina has created an overall
groove that is both inviting and appealing. Mushroom Jazz 3 features
nineteen smooth tracks of light dance-flavored jazz and pop that seem to
flow by like the clouds above. Included are tracks by virtual unknowns like
King Kooba, Raw Instinct, Daddy's Favorite, People
Under the Stairs, and more...but the real surprise is the inclusion
of a track by Herb Alpert. His third release in the Mushroom Jazz
series makes us wish we had heard Farina's previous two compilations. Cool
and just slightly trippy... (Rating: 4)
Freaks
Who FREAKS is? Freaks is not what is those
people what is trying to act and look very different. Freaks is those people
not even having idea of how freakish they selves is. They is people what
is work at regular job...have regular hobby...have regular friend...listen
to any kind of music. But they is not only freak. Freak is also what is
shopping in store, buying of grocery, and applying for scholarship. Freak
is also inclusive of all people small nature as well as large. Also include
is regardless of all age, regardless for young and old. People for religion
is freak as well as people of not having religion is. Everything else other
than man not freak. Man and woman only creature capable of freak. But there
is reason. They good at it. They very, very, very good at it. Look
in mirror and stare closely at facial feature. Very soon to be able to spot
secret hidden lines of ugly freak. Stare at for seven hour, then sleep.
(Silver Plating: 879773)
Fire in the Boathouse - Fire in the Boathouse (CD, Accurate,
Pop)
Every once in a while you come across music that doesn't seem to be very
different from the rest...but when you actually pay close attention you
come to the conclusion that there is something substantial creeping underneath
the surface. Such is the case with Boston's Fire in the Boathouse.
The band plays a loose, country-ish sort of pop that sounds like hundreds
of bands we've heard before...but there is a certain determination in the
music...and particularly the vocals...that makes this band a real treat.
The songwriting is way above average...as is evidenced by super hummable
tracks like "Catacombs," "Different Hat," "Set
in Stone," and "Last One on the Train." Though this may confuse
the band (as much as it confuses us)...in some weird manner the overall
sound reminds us of Howard Devoto (?!?). These guys are anything
BUT calculated and contrived. This is real genuine stuff played from the
heart with conviction and soul. (Rating: 4+++)
Film School - Brilliant Career (CD, Metoo!,
Moody rock)
Decidedly uncommercial and extremely moody rock music. Most bands have a
sound that is easy to pinpoint. Film School do not. The band merges
abstract guitars and keyboards into an odd texture that supports very restrained
vocals. The overall effect is very dreamlike in nature. There's an intriguing
drug-like effect to this music in that while you are listening to it you
feel as if you have taken something. Perhaps that is the intended effect,
perhaps not. But whatever the case, the odd formula works. Film School is
spearheaded by songwriter Krayg Burton who has a very unique vocal
style. Actually, perhaps the most fitting term here would be "restrained
psychedelia"...as the music is certainly far out...but it is also as
soothing as it is surreal. Honestly we can't really seem to come up with
the right words here... But our overall opinion is that this is a disc with
substance...and that in and of itself is a rarity... (Rating: 4+)
Gore Gore Girls - Strange Girls (CD, Get
Hip, Rock)
WHEW! We honestly can't remember when we last heard an all-girl group with
this much energy and attitude. If you think girls can't rock as hard as
guys, then you haven't been paying attention to what's been happening during
the last decade. Girls not only play much better than they once did, but
they continue to play harder and harder as time goes by. This is the most
aggressive girl band we've heard since The Red Aunts (a criminally
overlooked experimental California punk band from the 1990s). We still have
our copy of the Gore Gore Girls debut 7" vinyl single that came
out a few years back, but it didn't prepare us for Strange Girls.
These three ladies have come a long way, and this monster of a CD is bound
to create an instant and permanent buzz. This disc has a nice thick sound
that gives you the impression that the band is right in your living room
kicking out the jams. Killer tunes like "Hunt You Down," "Star
Struck," "Gore She's Got It," and "Getting A Room"
make this disc a must have. The band's cave woman leopard skin dresses help
to create the perfect image. This is primitive stuff...coming straight from
the gut and bursting with ballpower. GREAT stuff that must be heard to be
believed... (Rating: 5)
Guided
By Voices (Live Performance, March 9, 2001)
This concert was an unusual experience for a variety of reasons. This was
the first time we had ever seen Guided By Voices in concert. The
band was NOTHING like we had envisioned. We had this mental picture of some
serious little singer/guitarist with a backup band...but what we experienced
was a total ONSLAUGHT of loud rock music by a group of five musicians who
were anything BUT serious. These guys were extremely loose and their behavior
verged on silly for the entire show. Guided By Voices is a five-piece band
in the truest sense of the word. All five members provide key pieces of
the puzzle here. Watching the band play, we couldn't help but think of how
much these guys are to 2001 what the Psychedelic Furs were to music
in the 1980s. The music is loud rock...but it has a skewed quality that
makes it sound somewhat atonal and strange (this is particularly true in
regard to the electric guitars). In addition, the lead vocalist's presence
reminded us very much of Richard Butler (although the two look and
sound NOTHING alike). The Echo Lounge (still the BEST club in Atlanta in
our opinion) was completely SOLD OUT for this show...and the fans were ready
to rock (that sounds trite, but it actually applies here...). When the band
hit the stage they immediately took off like a rocket. The sound was so
loud that whenever the drummer hit the kick drum it went all the way through
our chests. Lead singer Bob Pollard was nothing like we expected.
Instead of a thoughtful skinny guy playing guitar, he's sort of a chunky
middle-aged guy who looks more like a business professional than a singer
in a band (?!?). To our delight, the band played a great many songs off
of their brand new CD Isolation Drills. For us, the highlight of
the show was the delightfully Big Star-ish "Glad Girls."
The audience wasn't familiar with the new tunes, as the CD had yet to be
released...but the new tunes were our favorites as we had already been playing
this disc into the GROUND. While we normally complain about Atlanta audiences,
this was one concert where the audience was RIGHT ON TARGET. Lots of folks
dancing, yelling, waving their arms...which is just what Guided By Voices
wanted. This band interacts with the audience, and in the case of this particular
evening it all worked just perfectly. This was, overall, an excellent show
by an excellent band. The only slight complaint we had was that the sound
was so VERY loud that it was difficult to discern exactly what was going
on at times. But that was a relatively minor problem as there was so much
good energy in the club that we couldn't help but have a BLAST. The club
goers obviously knew every note and every word of the band's earlier material.
The bassist in particular gave off so much positive energy...sweating and
smiling his way through the whole show...that we couldn't help but be taken
in by his presence. Great music, great environment, great fun... (Rating:
5)
Hog Molly - Kung-Fu Cocktail Grip (CD, Kool
Arrow, Hard rock)
Truly hard rock with meaty riffs and a real screamer of a vocalist. Hog
Molly tunes are razor sharp, super loud slices of asskicking rock and
roll. And unlike many bands who are merely posers or volume freaks...these
guys can really play. The combined force of these four guys is truly AMAZING.
This is Tad Doyle's new band, who some folks will probably remember
from his previous band TAD. The tunes on Kung-Fu Cocktail Grip
borrow sounds and ideas from a variety of sources. We can hear traces of
Black Sabbath, The Melvins, early Alice Cooper, and
dozens upon dozens of thrashy punk bands. But despite the many influences,
this band has their own sound. Lots of great tunes here including "Mr.
Right," "Alcohog," "Blood Pusher," and "Short
Bus." Tasty guitar riffs combine with some thick and nasty bass lines
and drum beats to create a great big MONSTER of a rock band. You'll need
to turn this one up really, REALLY loud. Ain't that what it's all about?
(Rating: 5)
Buzzy Linhart - Buzzy Linhart Loves You: Classic Recordings (CD, Razor and Tie, Rock)
One of the nice things about reviewing music is that you are constantly
exposed to music that you might otherwise never have known existed. Such
is the case with this, the latest Buzzy Linhart CD from the folks
at Razor and Tie. Oh sure...we had heard the guy's name before, but to our
knowledge we couldn't remember having ever heard any of his music. Thankfully
that has changed now, as this disc offers a nice introduction to the man's
music (as well as a retrospective overview) . Mr. Linhart only recorded
a few records from the period 1969-1974...but his music lives on, thanks
to digital remastering and live performances that continue to the present.
Linhart's music is a bluesy blend of rock and pop with a heavy emphasis
on snazzy guitar licks. His voice has a nice husky quality that is simultaneously
pensive and masculine. Along his musical journey, Buzzy has played with
some mighty big names including Jimi Hendrix, Harry Nilsson,
and Carly Simon (to name a few). We're very late hearing this material...but
even though, Mr. Linhart has won us over with his finesse and integrity.
Included is what may be Buzzy's most famous tune, "Friends" (which
he co-wrote). The sound quality is great. Even though these tracks were
recorded decades ago...they sound anything BUT dated... (Rating: 5)
~~~ TOP PICK FOR APRIL 2001 ~~~
Eleni Mandell (Live performance, March 29, 2001)
Driving 20 minutes at midnight on a Thursday to see a concert is not exactly
our favorite activity. Accordingly, when we entered a small club in East
Atlanta to hear underground favorite Eleni Mandell and found her
alone on a stage with an acoustic guitar we had an instant BAD REACTION.
But then within a matter of seconds all of our fears were put to rest. This
show was without a doubt one of the most unforgettable and wonderful
concert experiences EVER. If you are like us, seeing a girl along holding
an acoustic guitar usually means (a) they're playing some crappy folk music
with a political agenda or (b) they are retarded and sound shitty. Neither
was the case with Eleni Mandell. This cool and spellbinding young lady put
a spell on the crowd and had them under her control for the entirity of
her set. We have enjoyed Ms. Mandell's first two CDs immensely...but the
music on those discs did not prepare us for the live show. Eleni has a voice
that is right up there with the timeless and best female vocalists OF ALL
TIME. Yup, that's right...and you can be sure that we are NOT exaggerating.
She is every bit as good as Sarah Vaughan, Chris Connor, or...or...aw
Hell, what's the point in trying to draw comparisons? This young lady blends
and merges acoustic pop with jazz and country and throws it back at her
audience with all the gusto and finesse of the best female vocalists from
the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Watching this show, we were so blown away that
we had difficulty believing that we were lucky enough to be able to witness
this event. This is an artist who could easily have been playing for an
audience or 5,000 or 10,000 people...and there we were, standing around
with about 50 folks to enjoy and appreciate one of the most fascinating
musical artists of the century. Not only was Mandell a commanding performer
whose concentration never waned, but she also has a sense of humor that
is both inviting and real. (We particularly enjoyed her introduction to
the last tune when she stated that it was from her first and currently out-of-print
album and that "this would be a great time to put it up on eBay.) We
honestly can't remember when we were so affected by ANY concert EVER. Our
emotions literally ran wild and we couldn't count how many times we got
chills. If you want to experience a show that you will never forget, catch
this lady now...before she gets scooped up and transformed into a BIG STAR.
If she keeps heading in the direction she is heading in, that is most certainly
bound to happen. You just don't find folks with this kind of talent anymore
at any level of financial or artistic success. Eleni Mandell is one of the
truly GREAT vocalists and performers of all time. Get in on the ground floor
now so that you can tell your friends that you saw her before she hit it
big. Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, WOW. (Rating: 6)
Metroscene - First Light at Last Orders (Independently released CD,
Pop)
Let's start out here by stating that this band sounds NOTHING like other
bands from Atlanta, Georgia. Even more intriguing is the fact that Metroscene
has created a sizable buzz totally through their own energetic efforts.
This, their self-released first full-length CD, is as slick and impressive
as anything one would hear on bigger independent...or even major...record
labels. The music is nicely propelled melodic guitar pop with just slightly
spacey arrangements. But what we admire most about these folks are those
soaring vocals. The vocals are way above average, and the melody lines have
a cool flowing quality that is both dreamy and arresting. Combine the unique
arrangements with the great vocals and what do you get? A band that combines
elements of commercial music with pure artistic integrity. The mix is a
hit, as First Light at Last Orders is like a non-stop string of hits
that you've never heard before. And from all reports, the band is apparently
superb in concert. We can't find anything negative whatsoever to say here...
This is an excellent debut from a band that is simultaneously credible and
occasionally incredible... (Rating: 5)
The Mullens - Tough To Tell (CD, Get
Hip, Rock)
The Mullens hit the ground running a few years back with their fabulous
self-titled debut CD. The band instantly had the critics and fans showering
them with praise. The band's second disc was good, but failed to live up
to the high standard set by their debut. For various reasons, the band then
split up. Thankfully after a two year absense The Mullens decided to get
back together to record a solid new CD that is as good, if not better, than
their debut. The thing that originally drew us into the band's music was
their simple, straightforward, and stripped down approach. That approach
is back and fully intact, as these Dallas, Texas gentlemen plow through
the twelve tracks on Tough To Tell. The band sounds something like
a modern version of the New York Dolls mixed with everyone's mental
favorites The Ramones. There's a lot to love here, but our top picks
are "Talkin' To My Baby," "Shady Deal" (our favorite),
and "Out With the Boys." These guys are too good to be missed.
If it's a straight dose of rock and roll you're after, you won't do much
better than this... (Rating: 5+)
National Skyline - This = Everything (CD, File
13, Dreamy pop)
Cool drony pop music with lots of electronics and studio noodling. National
Skyline was formed in 1996 by Jeff Dimpsey (formerly of Hum)
and Jeff Garber (formerly of Castor). The first thing that
drew our attention to this disc was the artwork...it seems inconceivable
that anyone could POSSIBLY photograph an expressway tunnel in such a way
as to make it appear attractive...??? But dammit if a graphic artist who
goes by the name Ohiogirl
managed to do so. No photos of the band...no liner notes...just beautifully
enhanced photos of an expressway tunnel. Actually the cover photos fit the
music. These compositions are somewhat drony and very heady pop pieces.
There's a lot of experimentation going on amidst the obvious melodies in
these tunes. It's kinda like listening to bubblegum music while doing three
hits of blotter. The listener is bombarded with a whole lot of stuff...but
the band's experiments work, mainly because they manipulate technology to
their own advantage. Our top picks here are "A Million Circles"
and "A Night at the Drugstore." Based upon our listening habits
of late, we would highly recommend just about ANYTHING on the File-13 label...
(Rating: 4+)
Paul
Newman - Re-issue! Re-package! Re-package!
Re-evaluate the songs" (CD, My
Pal God, Art rock)
If we didn't know better, we would swear that this CD was a various artists
compilation. It seems that a certain someone would have already initiated
a lawsuit to get this band to change their name, but apparently that hasn't
happened yet. As the title suggests, this is a collection of previously-released
tunes by Paul Newman that first appeared on the Temporary Residence,
Trustworthy, Zum, and My Pal God labels. The music on this disc ranges from
melancholy to mild to furious to violent. The band does some absolutely
wild guitar stuff (particularly on the tracks "Popcorn" and "Grady
No. 101"). Our top pick here is the beautifully moody "December
'91 Or So," a subtle and sparse composition. Most bands can be lumped
into one or two categories at most. Paul Newman virtually defies categorization,
and in today's world that is impressive... Very experimental and different.
(Rating: 5)
JJ Nobody and the Regulars - Rock'n'Roll Doesn't End at 2:00 (CD, Hopeless,
Hard rock)
Loose and hard bar rock. JJ Nobody does his normal chores with underground
faves The Nobodys. The band is taking some time off to rest, but
apparently JJ has energy to kill. So he's temporarily off on his own, recording
and touring with his own band The Regulars. As you might expect, this is
loud buzzsaw guitar rock played at high speed. But the melodies are solid
and you can understand the words (a peculiarity in today's music market)...plus
the band has bullets to burn as they speed their way through these fifteen
tracks. It's a rip roaring party for sure, and you can't help but love tunes
like "Light You Up," "His Girl," and "Let's Get
Drunk." Major attitude combined with major hooks... (Rating: 4+)
Of Montreal - Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical
Verse (CD, Kindercore/Emperor Norton, Schizophrenic pop)
With so many bands and CDs slamming us in the face day after day we often
become weary from hearing music from so many artists who release material
that has little substance and no style at all. Athens' Of Montreal
continue to be an intense source of curiosity...as the band's unusual and
extremely inventive brand of pop just keeps getting weirder and more complicated
as time passes by. (And that's saying something, seeing as how these folks
started out on a complex and daring level in the first place.) If you're
looking for an easy pop band that offers a basic "verse chorus verse
chorus" style...then we would suggest that you LOOK ELSEWHERE. Call
if "difficult pop" if you will, Of Montreal is simply offering
a style of pop music that is too heady and complicated for your average
listener. The music sounds something like a cross between The Archies
and Lilys...the former in terms of vocals, the latter in terms of
a general refusal to write tunes that follow any sort of traditional framework.
If this is confusing, then that may be exactly the point. Listening to Coquelicot
Asleep in the Poppies may very well give you the feeling that you are
switching from station to station during Saturday morning cartoons. That
is, the music is decidedly wacky, schizophrenic, unpredictable, and generally
bizarre...all the while retaining an eerie thread of bubblegum (although
this is by no means bubblegum music). To our knowledge, there is no other
band currently recording this style of music. And the more we hear, the
more we get into it. Accordingly, we find this to be the band's best (and
oddest) CD yet. It's certainly not for everyone... (Rating: 5)
Organic Audio - Last One Home (CD, Nettwerk,
Dance/electronic)
If there's one thing that is tiring and tedious, it is folks who produce
one sort of music...and try to disguise it as another. Over the years, we
have heard countless numbers of bands who produce dance music...but they
try to dress it up and pretend that it is something else. Accordingly, it
is always refreshing when an artist or band comes along who is honest about
what they are doing. To put it bluntly, if you're going to make mindless
music...then make mindless music, goddamn it. And don't try to fool the
listener into thinking that it is something else...because it doesn't need
to be. Organic Audio seem to adhere to this rule. The music on Last
One Home is, admittedly, mindless. But contrary to what most people
may think, that is not necessarily a BAD thing (!). In fact, it can be a
big plus...particularly when it applies to dance music. The tracks on this
disc are based around very simple 4/4 dance beats...and there is very little
layered on top. There is no attempt made to hide the fact that these folks
provide a beat for people to dance to. The tracks with the least are the
ones we like best ("Play to the Music," "This Could Really
Happen," "Last One Home"). This is a cool electronic blast
that goes straight for the target. NEAT. (Rating: 5+)
Packy Doodoo and Stabs
Packy Doodo and Stabs
nver see each other anymore. They used to hang out with each other practically
all the time but those days are gone. Their familiarity with one another
eventually caused each to take the other for granted. The contempt that
developed finally become intolerable and so both had to go their separate
ways. Packy Doodoo moved to Seattle to start a new career shipping noodles
while the life of Stabs pretty much remained the same as it had always been.
Packy Doodoo and Stab are very much like you and your friends. When you
met each other initially each of your personality traits probably fascinated
the other. But as you became better and better acquainted the fascination
faded. This will happen every time you meet a new person. In the back of
your mind you will always think, "This is just another Packy Doodoo"
or "This one is just another Stabs." Unfortunate but true, newness
ultimately wears off of everything...even people. But it is better to be
aware of this feature of human nature rather than let it bring you down.
Nothing can bring you down. Not evil. Not Santa. Not hatcher buns. Not dominant
axes. Not your stupid television set. Not the firm and distant peanut approaching
sacks and sacks of onion. Nor the beevil and dowset jowels of Manger Bunny.
But what...you may ask...what about Packy Doodoo and Stabs? They are now
stored permanently in your memory. In your memory they will STAY. (Grating:
XX-3kCC)
Powderfinger - Odyssey Number Five (CD, Universal/Republic,
Pop)
Though this band has already become a smashing success in their native country
of Australia, Odyssey Number Five is the band's first album to released
in the United States. We approached this CD with concern, mainly because
they have already been chosen by Rolling Stone magazine as "Band
of the Year." This concerned us mainly because Rolling Stone
does not have now...nor has it ever had...any credibility whatsoever. Occasionally
something decent slips through the seams, however, and we can honestly report
that Powderfinger is a pleasant...if not extremely slick and commercial...pop
band. Sure, this music may be aimed at a target audience consisting mainly
of people who still listen to commercial FM radio and watch MTV...but
considering the nature of the beast, there are some good tunes here. The
band comes off best when they stop trying so hard and just let things happen...which
occurs on the nicely flowing "The Metre" (this one sounds like
it could've been written by the Chainsaw Kittens). The tune features
great arrangements, and the softer sound allows the listener to appreciate
Bernard Fanning's vocals to the fullest. Also entertaining are the
slightly skewed "Odyssey #5" and the acoustic "Whatever Makes
You Happy." There are some throwaway tunes here, but that is to be
expected. Folks into obscure underground stuff are going to hate this...but,
as usual, we try to find something good in the cracks even if it means exposing
ourselves to things that we might otherwise ignore... We would expect that
this band will be popping up more and more in the media... (Rating: 3+)
Psychedelic Furs (Life performance, March 31, 2001)
And now Earthlink presents...Sweatin' To The Oldies With The Psychedelic
Furs... As we know all too well, any and all band reunions have the
potential to be horrible nightmares. While we usually avoid all band reunions
like the plague, our curiosity got the better of us in regard to the current
Psychedelic Furs reunion tour. After all, the band was one of the more incredible
and unique acts of the 1980s. And at their peak, their concerts were like
wild free-for-alls where everyone was so fucked up that the music and the
crowd melted into one drug-induced psychedelic trip. This particular show
was not sold out, but it came mighty close. The audience was a peculiar
mix of young preppies and almost-middle-aged folks trying to relive their
past by dressing in "new wave" clothing. When the lights finally
dimmed, the Furs started off with a very smart selection ("India"
from their first album). They attacked the tune with such intensity that
we almost could not believe our eyes nor our ears. Unfortunately, the band
never reached this peak for the remainder of the concert (although they
came close on "President Gas"). Now don't get us wrong...this
was not a bad show as there were some great things about this concert. First,
Richard Butler's voice sounds as good as ever. But whereas in the
1980s Butler literally fell and pawed all over the audience as if he were
molesting them, nowadays he is shaking hands in a manner that one would
normally associate with a politician. The drummer is an impressive powerhouse,
and given the opportunity we felt that this man could really mow the lawn.
What happened after "India" was that the band more or less just
churned out the hits (which is what the audience wanted). This was to be
expected, as they made the questionable decision to tour with no new album
to support. (In our opinion, the Furs comeback would have been much more
appropriate if the band had just recorded and released a really loud and
blistering new CD...but our guess is that the new LP--which is now in the
works--is going to contain lots of mid-tempo numbers.) Some of the old hits
sounded quite good, but others were lacking. What really hurt the band were
the programmed keyboards which were very distracting, virtually ruining
great songs like "The Ghost In You" and "Love My Way."
One fellow sitting behind us almost got it right when he yelled out "CUT
THE TAPES!" Of course, what he was meaning to say was "CUT THE
PROGRAMMED DIGITAL KEYBOARD STUFF!" So...how did the audience react?
Strangely enough, "Heartbreak Beat" seemed to be the biggest crowd
pleaser (unusual since we never cared for that particular tune). Even more
interesting than the show itself was the big six-and-a-half-foot redneck
sitting next to us getting drunk all by himself. At the end of every tune,
he kept slapping us on the back yellling "This is GREAT! Isn't this
GREAT!?!" But the most priceless moments of this particular evening
were when the drunk redneck began imitating Richard Butler's effeminate
hand movements. What a SCREAM! That's the great thing about drunks...you
can laugh right in their faces and they don't even have a CLUE. So to sum
things up...we are glad that the Furs have decided to make a go of it again...and
with some luck and determination they may be able to reignite their career.
But we just hope that in the future they opt to show the world what new
things they have to offer...rather than going on tour (and charging $25.00
a ticket) to churn out the oldies. Not a bad show, but not a perfect one
either... (Rating: 4-)
Red
Elvises - Welcome to the Freakshow (CD,
Shooba-Doobah, Siberian rockabilly)
Any band that dubs their music "The Best Rock'n'Roll From Siberia"
deserves some attention. Particularly when they are even willing to strip
naked for the CD cover. These guys do an excellent job of attracting attention.
Everything about their name and image grabs you by the nuts. The story goes
like this... Red Elvises are a Los Angeles based band consisting
of three Russian guys plus a drummer from Texas. The music is unusual and
gives us the same sort of reaction that we have when we listen to Shonen
Knife. Hearing Russian guys do rockabilly is an unusual experience.
But what is most appealing is that (at least vocally) they don't try to
sound American (much like the aforementioned S. Knife). Instead, they allow
their accents to take center stage...and this works to their advantage.
The songs are intelligently written and have a surprisingly good deal of
commercial potential. Will they catch on in a big way...or become a short-lived
fad? In today's world, there is absolutely NO WAY of knowing. (Rating: 4)
re:
- mnant (CD, Constellation,
Abstract electronic)
The band and CD names here are a SCREAM. If you think we've made a typographical
error, think not. Bands keep getting more and more obscure and difficult
with their names. This is among the most completely uncommercial we have
seen thus far. re: is the duo of Aden Evens and Ian Ilavsky.
The two use electronics to create electronic soundscapes...rather than what
one would normally call songs. The basic idea is not unlike babysue
favorites Pan Sonic...except that these two gentlemen occasionally
do throw in some melodies along the way. While we absolutely LOVE this kind
of stuff...we cannot, unfortunately, recommend this to most folks out there...for
the simple reason that your average listener does not want curious electronic
noise drooling out of their speakers. We can't imagine why...since big selling
electronic dance music is 100% "bad noise." There's an obvious
sense of underlying humor...as is suggested by the titles of the tracks..."scue,"
"duce," "solute," "cipe," "straint,"
etc. There's a pattern happening here...get it? Actually, there's a good
chance that most folks aren't going to "get" this band or their
music. This fits somewhere in the bizarre territory between ambient and
modern classical. If you want something you can sing along with, then this
is definitely NOT your baby. But if you like your baby tempered and skewed
with far out experimentation, then you have found a new duo to love. As
with all Constellation releases, the packaging is beautiful. Great stuff,
but only for a very select listening audience... (Rating: 5+
Bob
Schneider - Lonelyland (CD, Universal, Folk/pop)
Trying to pin down Bob Schneider's music is not an easy task. The
man skips from one musical style to the next as easily as Dorothy skipped
down the mighty yellow brick road. Lonelyland is Schneider's debut
album, and it is an impressive and mature collection of tunes. Bob's tunes
range from folky pop to funky pop to slightly noisy pop with just a slight
hint of an industrial edge. The man sounds something like a combination
of Evan Dando, Ron Sexsmith, Trent Reznor, and Martin
Sexton...but not quite. He's got a silky smooth vocal style...yet he
can get kinda growly if the mood strikes him. For our own (admittedly peculiar)
tastes, we dig the tunes centered around an acoustic guitar ("Metal
and Steel" and "The World Exploded Into Love") . Now some
folks might call these tunes schmaltzy...and to be honest, if we weren't
in such a great frame of mind at this point in time...we might also. But
at least for this time on earth...as Spring is breaking out and yard sales
are just beginning...we find Mr. Schneider's music to be quite engaging.
This isn't breaking any new ground, that's for sure...but that's not always
the point then, is it? (Rating: 4)
Senor Coconut - El Gran Baile (CD, Kindercore/Emperor Norton, Instrumental)
Senor Coconut made quite a splash with reviewers with the release
of his last CD which featured mind-boggling Latin instrumental covers of
Kraftwerk tunes. Much to our delight...and instead of taking the
easy route of providing more of what people probably were expecting and
wanting...Mr. Coconut instead embarks upon a completely different journey
on El Gran Baile. We liked the last disc...but this one is even BETTER.
On El Gran Baile, Uwe Schmidt (that's this fellow's real name)
effectively combines electronics, lounge music, Latin beats, and ambient
sounds into a very soothing and exotic mixture. We particularly like the
electronic noodling in "La Noche Cool" and "4-D Cha Cha"
(great song title), although in actuality all of these compositions have
a great deal to offer. Despite the fact that he has recorded over 140 (!?!)
albums under various pseudonyms, this is unfortunately only the second release
we have heard. Mr. Schmidt is a unique new talent making waves by using
his imagination and his understanding of technology to create some wildly
colorful music. (Rating: 5+)
The Sixth Great Lake - Up the Country (CD, Kindercore,
Acoustic pop)
Relaxing, refreshing, and genuine. The Sixth Great Lake is a band
consisting of Jeff Baron, Chris Ziter, Sasha Bell (all
three are members of The Essex Green) along with Zachary Ward
and Mike Barrett. These five individuals contributed equally to the
creation and recording of this disc...which may explain the unique diversity
presented here. The music is basic soft pop based around (mostly) acoustic
and electric guitars. The ideas and melodies are subtle and understated...and
the band leaves great open spaces in their music that make the compositions
extremely effective and affecting. In our neverending search for sincerity
in the world (and in the world of music in particular), it is rare indeed
to find musicians playing for the right reasons. These folks obviously have
their hearts in the right place, as these tracks are about as direct and
real as you can get in today's world. Nice homespun tracks like "Duck
Pond," "Canno Beach," and "You Make the Call" flow
by like a cool bubbling brook. We have to love any band that would end their
liner notes by urging their listeners to "save our open spaces."
Now there's a philosophy to live by (and we only wish that everyone would).
Sort of like a modern-day American adaptation of Fairport Convention.
This is one of those CDs that will NEVER leave our permanent collection.
A real GEM. (Rating: 5+)
Sunless
Day - Electric Ahhh... (CD, Amazing Grease, Rock/pop)
Hmmm...how often is it that you hear a HEAVY pop band? Our answer to this
question would be..."not very often." What probably turns most
folks off pop music is that it either sounds too light and fluffy...or else
they are concerned that someone might think they are a sissy for liking
it. Whatever the case (and back to the POINT, dum dee dum dum...), Sunless
Day has a nice fresh way of assaulting the listener with a dense and
rocking sound that is heavy on the bass and drums. But the vocals are from
another universe altogether. No screams...no growls...no spitting into the
microphone...the singer actually...well, he SINGS. And that is precisely
what makes Sunless Day sound UNLIKE other rock bands out there. They are
not afraid to turn WAY UP and let things crank...but they are also not afraid
to put the vocals up front and sing in a manner that can be understood.
It's something like a mixture of The Archies and Gotohells
(but that isn't really an adequate description). What we like best is that
these four San Francisco gentlemen pull it off wonderfully. The music rocks,
but the tunes themselves take center stage. Overall, this is a lovable band
with a very cool way of turning a tune. Our favorites here are "Mustard,"
"Road Trip," "Wicked King Wicker," "Pulse of the
Future," and the title track in particular. Very refreshing and very
PURE. (Rating: 5)
The Supers - Spklanng! (CD, Permanent
Press, Pop)
If there's one thing that we have learned over the past couple of years
it is that any release on the Permanent Press label is a release that is
worthy of attention. A perfect case in point is the effervescent new CD
by The Supers. This band tosses out perfect pop tunes one after another
in such an effortless manner that you'd think this was recorded in an afternoon...but
we KNOW better. Stuff this good requires work, dedication, and effort. But
you'd sure never know it by listening to this. These guys obviously had
a great deal of fun recording these tracks, and that overall good mood comes
through our trusty fat speakers crystal clear throughout all twelve tunes
on Spklanng! Actually, it is tempting to put these four cartoonish
fellows into the power pop category...but the phrase has become so meaningless
in recent years that it no longer applies to anything. Onto specifics...whether
the band is bashing out macho pop ("Secret," "So Many Crooks")
or going for a more pensive mood ("Only You," "Even Fools")
they never fail to entertain. This is a project that was well conceived
and well executed. Even the art on the inserts is a delight. Recommended
listening for Spring 2001. (Rating: 5+)
Amanda Thorpe - Mass (CD, Cropduster,
Moody pop)
Ahhh...what a relief to come across an artist that is different from the
rest. Amanda Thorpe first entered public consciousness through her
previous New York-based band the Wirebirds in 1996, but two years
later she embarked on a solo career. Mass is a thickly produced effort,
combining the talents of no less than 18 musicians and vocalists (!). Ms.
Thorpe has a soothing yet distant vocal style that is slightly disarming,
yet strangely familiar. The tunes have more than a hint of a jazz flavor...and
the more sultry the music, the more we like it. An example of Amanda at
her best is the smoky and sexy "By You," which strolls along with
sudden ease before finally ending on a nice lazy bass buzz. Our favorite
is "Frances," with its understated guitars and cool atmospherics
floating around in the background. Ms. Thorpe is an unusual voice in the
world of female songwriters. And although her music has a very different
overall sound, we can't help but feel that her general approach is similar
to Patty Larkin...for the simple reason that she is following her
own muse rather than trying to fit into any specific category. Cool and
different... (Rating: 4)
Tinstar - Dirtybird (CD, V2,
Dance/pop)
Big, thick, meaty dance pop from London. In some ways this band reminds
us of Charlatans U.K. because....although the music is definitely
dance-oriented...the band uses lots of cool guitars that do a great deal
to fatten up the sound. (We have never understood why most dance music in
the United States seems to be void of guitars...?) Tinstar start
off with "The American" (a lazy rocker that is reminiscent of
David Bowie) and then proceed to keep the hip and heavy groove going
for the remaining ten tunes on Dirtybird. A word of caution: This
is very slick and commercial stuff...so if that's not what rocks your boat
you probably won't get into this. In our opinion, commercial music usually
sucks...but not ALWAYS. This band is a case where a slick commercial approach
is actually rather engaging and appealing. Of course those super slick and
sexy vocals don't hurt...nor do the infectious rhythms...or creative arrangements...
The band consists of David Tomlinson, Tim Bricheno (formerly
of Sisters of Mercy), and Tim Gordine. Good stuff. (Rating:
4)
Toadies - Hell Below / Stars Above (CD, Interscope,
Rock)
We have heard this band's name in the past, but this is the first release
we have heard from the Toadies. That may give you some idea of how
isolated we are from the "real" world of music...seeing as how
the band's previous album (Rubberneck) was a platinum-seller. Of
course sales and popularity mean nothing to us...as we are bound to judge
based upon instincts and pure emotional reactions. The Toadies have a nice
raw pop sound that is propelled by hard rhythms and jagged, overdriven guitars.
They continually throw good guitar riffs in their tunes and have good songs.
The vocals are the weakest link of the chain here. We don't dislike the
vocals...it's just that they have a generic quality similar to a million
other bands. If the vocals were more dynamic and interesting, the Toadies
would get a much higher rating in this neck of the woods... (Rating: 3+)
Unloco - Healing (CD, Maverick,
Rock)
Although our first reaction was to throw this into the "generic 2001
loud sludge grunge rock band category"...upon further inspection we
determined that this band's music is too smart to be disregarded as such.
Unloco hail from the hot shit city of Austin, Texas...but they're
different than your average Austin band. The music is an intriguing hybrid
of moody groove rock mixed with thrashy elements. The vocals are particularly
good for a hard rock group. Instead of screaming constantly (which is the
usual fare in loud rock), the vocalist concentrates on getting his emotions
across rather than simply abusing his vocal chords. Another thing that sets
Unloco apart is that they insert some very uncommon musical breaks into
their tunes. They don't just flail...they flail for a minute or two, and
then stop suddenly with a jagged musical passage that grabs your interest.
The top notch production doesn't hurt either. This disc has a nice fat sound
that is masculine and solid. So...we have no choice but to give these guys
a "thumbs up." All twelve tunes SMOKE. (Rating: 4+)
The
Weakerthans - Watermark (Enhanced CD,
Sub City)
One of the best bands of the past decade, Canada's The Weakerthans
thus far in their career have done NO WRONG. We have loved each and every
release (as well as each and every song). This is not a new full-length
disc (damn!), but rather a cool video of the tune "Watermark"...featuring
lots of colorful images flying by at 100 m.p.h. plus two live tracks ("Illustrated
Bible Stories for Children" and "The Last Last One"). Ahhhh...this
whets our appetite for the next album... Can't WAIT. (Rating: 5)
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