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December 2001 Reviews by
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E-mails | The babysue Store
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December 2001 Reviews by
RATING SYSTEM:
= GODDAMN!!!
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOOD
= FAIR
= SHITTY
December 2001 Comment Piece: This Is The Last Year
Sad in a way but definite and obvious, 2001 is the last full year. In a way this makes us feel reflective and tender. Yet in another way we are framed with a sense of uselessness and boredom. People have always been bad. But in the past few years they have gotten much, much worse than ever before. Accordingly, everything is now poised to stop abruptly. Does it matter? Not particularly. The only sad part is that all the plants and animals on the earth will be forced to go down with the ship. Because everything is going to end, might we suggest to you (and any of your close acquaintances) that you use this opportunity to STOP TRYING. That's right. We are suggesting to everyone that you GIVE UP. Stop focusing on your education, your job, your career, and your hobbies...and use every last minute that you have to get MESSED UP ALL THE WAY. The one and only way to get through the next few months will be to stay as completely OUT OF IT as you possibly can. So...use whatever method pleases you the best. But whatever you do...do LOTS of it. Turn on, turn off, speed up, slow down, drink it, snort it, shoot it...do whatever it is that snickles your choco-bar. There is no longer any need to pay bills. Now is the time to load your credit cards up to the MAX. Do all the things that you always wanted to do...but were afraid to do. Use your remaining time WISELY. But do whatever you do and do it as you must...because these last few months are going to be as hellish as Slappy Doo-Dah in the messy ol' goddamn finger bowl. No, no, no, no, NO! Haha! We were only KIDDING all of you out there! This isn't really the LAST YEAR! We're just being goddamn SILLY...again! Everything's OKAY! The world isn't ending, not YET anyway! Everything's wonderful and COOL! Yes, yes, YES! Love and PEACE to everyone! But do you know WHAT? We're LYING again. The world really IS about to END. Oh the FUTILITY of it all. All of our lives and all the countless centuries we have all spent creating our modern way of life...and FOR WHAT? It's all about to GO TO HELL. Oh the PITY and the SADNESS of it all. Everything is really HORRIBLE and ROTTEN!!! But do you know what? It's not really all THAT bad because...we're LYING again! Everything is SUPER OKAY! Yes indeed it is! The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming and we LOVE everything and EVERYONE. And that includes YOU! So...HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of your wonderful, beautiful people out there! Particularly all of the wonderful beautiful people who record GREAT music and to all those superb publicists and record companies who SEND US CDs for REVIEW! We love you, every single ONE! And this time...we really DO mean that!!! And to all of you readers out there in topsy-turvy land...we TIP our HATS...because you are obviously proving something or another by reading all the WORTHLESS goddamn crap that we continually THROW UP all over the goddamn shiteating INTERNET (!!!). Happy holidays to EVERYONE. With sincere love and admiration. Sincerely, The Retarded Good-For-Nothing Kooks in the Fluffy, Pampered Offices of babysue.
The Aqua Velvets - Radio Waves (Double CD, Milan
Entertainment, Guitar/rock/instrumental)
Tired of listening to artsy pretentious crap? Bummed out by generic bands
overdubbed to death and polished to boring perfection? If so, you may very
well want to check out The Aqua Velvets. In a world overrun with
too many folks making music for all the wrong reasons, this San Francisco
quintet truly is a blast of fresh air. What appeals to us most is that this
band does not require any effort on the part of the listener. All you need
do is slip the disc in...tap your feet to the infectious beat...and you
will instantly be a fan of this timeless band. The Velvets' music is a combination
of surf, rock, and spaghetti western...and that's just the beginning. What
we find particularly amazing is that this double disc set features LIVE
recordings of the band. But don't expect crummy live sound quality here.
These recordings are so smooth that this could pass for a studio album.
And the fact that this was played on the spot...with no overdubs...makes
it even more appealing. Disc one features no less than 23 hot and snappy
little numbers recorded for Phil Dirt's KFJC radio show. "Swampabilly
Hop," "Green Sunshine" (this is a particularly great track),
"Surf Nouveau," and "Nervous On Neptune" (ha!) are just
a few of the standout numbers. The second bonus disc features four tracks
recorded at a club called Sweetwater in Mill Valley, California. Pure FEELGOOD
music delivered with integrity and style. (Rating: 5)
Aveo
- Bridge to the Northern Lights (CD, Red Tide / Barsuk, Pop/rock)
Although other reviewers tend to compare this band to The Smiths,
we (fortunately) don't hear many similarities. What we do hear is a vibrant
young band with softly exploding energy and an urgent melodic sense. Bridge
to the Northern Lights was originally released on the Brown Records
label but quickly sold out, at which point the always-on-top-of-it folks
at Barsuk promptly rereleased the album. Aveo (pronounced ah-ve-o)
is a four-piece band playing slightly jagged pop music with vocals that,
in all honestly, do sound a bit like the Smiths. But the similarities end
there, as the songs on this album have much rougher edges and more jerky
rhythms. Hard to believe that this is a debut album, as these guys are mature
songwriters and play like pros. Even more interesting is the fact that this
entire album was recorded in a mere seven days...so obviously there was
no time to make up for bad tunes by layering them with too many overdubs
(a problem that plagues many up-and-coming bands). Produced by Phil Ek
(who has produced many other quality bands of late), the sound quality
is slick but not impersonal. These fellows--and their producer--have managed
to come up with a warm, somewhat safe, and ultimately satisfying collection
of material... (Rating: 4+++)
Badawi
- Soldier of Midian (CD, ROIR,
Percussion driven Middle Eastern music)
Badawi is Raz Mesinai, born in Jerusalem and raised in New
York City. Mesinai's music is obviously influenced by both his native country
as well as America. Soldier of Midian is an impressively authentic
audio trip into Middle Eastern percussion. Drums thump and pound in unison
as eerie musical lines float by. This album is a purely artistic endeavor,
and our guess is that Mesinai has no interest whatsoever in trying to produce
a "hit" single or anything of the sort. ROIR is an appropriate
home for this artist, as it seems that the label's main motivation has never
been money in the first place. The pieces on this album range from hypnotic
to somewhat nervous frantic. But whatever the mood, the intense percussion
keeps the listener on their toes. As mesmerizing as the compositions on
Soldier of Midian are, we must warn potential listeners that this
music is not for everyone...nor does it try to be. There are no traditional
elements to latch onto...no catchy choruses...no guitars...virtually none
of the usual elements present in the music of modern America. Pieces like
"Evocation," "Voices From the Sky" (wow...), "After
a Path Has Been Paved..." and "Dehydration" are sure to please
those with minds open enough to take in this engaging music... (Rating:
5+)
Bonobo
- Animal Magic (CD, Ninja
Tune, Esoteric ambient obtuse pop)
Ninja Tune is one of the few truly great music labels out there. What makes
them so great in our mind is that we have not yet heard a single release
from them that we have not enjoyed immensely...and that's saying A LOT.
(With many record labels you have to throw five to the side before coming
upon ONE disc that is worthy of attention.) Label licking aside, Bonobo
is a calming and obtuse one man band featuring Simon Green. Green
writes and records haunting audio landscapes that are simultaneously familiar
and unfamiliar. The compositions on Animal Magic are, for the most
part, sparse and distant. Yet the music somehow retains a warm and inviting
character that is strangely appealing. A great deal of the material is instrumental,
although vocal do pop up occasionally. Note, however, that the way the vocals
are used is unusual...as they are not prominent in the mix and are frequently
unintelligible due to effects used. If you, like ourselves, are always on
the lookout for the subtle and unique...Bonobo will push ALL of your buttons
just the right way... MARVELOUS. (Rating: 5++)
The Chargers Street Gang - Holy the Bop Apocalypse (CD, Get
Hip, Hard rock)
Wild, loud, crazy, funny, intense rock music. If there's one band on the
planet that is chock full of unstoppable energy, it must surely be The
Chargers Street Gang. These five fellows play with the fiery intensity
of some of the best garage bands of decades gone by. The rhythms are fast
and furious...the guitars turned way, way, WAY up...and the vocals have
that wonderful "who gives a sh*t" attitude. What really pushes
this band over the edge for us is their sense of humor. Some of the lyrics
as well as some of the song titles had us falling down on the office floor
laughing. "Tom Waits For No-One" is most certainly one of the
funniest song titles we have heard in some time. From the sound of Holy
the Bop Apocalypse, it sounds as if the entire band got totally ripped
out of their skulls...plugged their toes into an electrical socket...and
then recorded this entire album in one unforgettable take. This is a wild
ride through the world of modern garage rock. Top notch tunes include "Say
No More Forever Amen," "Twisted and Old," "Hey Guys
Thanks for Believing In Me," and "Shitty Song." We would
have liked to have heard a bit more bass in the mix, that that is a minor
point because...this is one HELL of a KICK ASS rock band. Way to go guys.
Listening to this is like riding a goddamn roller coaster. KILLER. (Rating:
5++)
Clairvoyants - Your New Boundaries (CD, Wishing
Tree / Badman,
Ambient/drone/soft pop)
Slow, haunting, and sparse. Cambridge five piece Clairvoyants are
a lesson in subdued restraint. The band's tunes creep by slowly and feature
echoed instruments that support casual vocals. The compositions on Your
New Boundaries are extremely slow methodical pieces. The tunes are methodical
and hypnotic, often retreating to the bare bones essentials of one instrument
and/or vocal. The main point of all music should be to get the point across,
and this is what makes this CD so intriguing. Using very little, Clairvoyants
manage to get their point across quite clearly. Main singer/songwriter Brian
Dunn has a very personal vocal style that makes these tunes most inviting.
At times, this band's material comes across like a slowed down version of
The Durutti Column (particular the guitars). At other times the music
sounds something like a more modern and atmospheric version of Donovan
(or even Bert Jansch for that matter). If you're looking for upbeat
energy, look elsewhere. If you're in the mood for slow and strange restraint,
this band will most certainly hit the target. Definitely NOT like other
bands currently on the horizon... (Rating: 4+++)
Dark Funeral - Diabolis Interium (CD, Necropolis,
Black metal)
Intense stuff...for those with the stomach to take it. Begun in 1993, Dark
Funeral has the distinction of being one of the pioneers of black metal.
As you might guess, this is NOT happy stuff. Tunes like "Hail Murder,"
"An Apprentice of Satan," and "Heart of Ice" will only
appeal to a limited audience...those into loud, abrasive noise and satanic
leanings. (Another of the band's tunes not on this particular album--"Teach
Children To Worship Satan"--is sure to enrage touchy parental units.)
The band's live show sounds like a real mindcruncher. These guys have been
known to play drenched in blood, spit fire, and tear decapitated pig heads
off of crosses and brutally mutilate them in front of their fans. Sound
like fun? Well...for the right kind of people, it actually IS. There's no
denying that most people simply do not want to see or hear stuff like this.
In fact, most folks would prefer to simply pretend that bands like Dark
Funeral do not exist. In the world of music, however, everything is permitted.
Even though the music here tests our composure, we still find it...interesting,
to say the least... Can you TAKE it? (Not Rated)
Daryl
- The Technology (CD, Beatville,
Rock/pop)
Daryl is a band with a unique sound...approaching pop/rock from a
different direction. This album will be interpreted many ways by many different
people because it does not fit into any specific category. The main difference
in this band's sound is the fact that they incorporate synthesizers into
their melodic hard pop. There are fuzzy guitars present, but these are counterbalanced
by some lovely keyboards that do a great deal to fill out the sand. But
if you're thinking "wimpy synth pop," think again. Daryl songs
are defined by raw energy and aggressive vocals. What we like most about
these folks is that--while they aren't afraid to crank out the loud stuff--they
also aren't afraid to venture into territory that borders on ambient and
even modern classical at times. The songs on The Technology are not
written around formulas. Instead, the band writes songs that seem to head
in directions that the listener would never expect. Great tunes like "Motion
in Progress" and "The Stare" (our top pick here) make this
album a mentally challenging and stimulating listen... (Rating: 4+++)
The
Derailers - Here Come the Derailers
(CD, Sony Nashville,
Country/pop)
Austin's The Derailers are back with their strongest album yet. The
band's catchy, easy-on-the-ears approach to country pop goes over well.
The music is light, catchy, and upbeat. But what really makes the music
on this album kick is the fact that these guys obviously enjoy what they're
doing...and they're damn good at it. The band's tunes combine elements from
country pop all the way from the 1950s on through to the present. Much to
the band's credit, producer Kyle Lenning had the good sense to avoid
overproducing this collection of tunes. As a result, most songs have a nice
open feel...letting the songs and the melodies shine through. This band's
music might best be described as white-collar country pop (particularly
appropriate since the band is decked out in business suits on the cover
of this album). No curse words and no dirty stuff in this campground. The
Derailers are a clean act, which is just fine with us. Great singalong tunes
like "More of Your Love," "Bar Exam," "I'd Follow
You Anywhere," and "There Goes the Bride" make this disc
an entertaining listen... (Rating: 4++)
Joe
Diffie - In Another World (CD, Sony Nashville, Country/pop)
Friendly, well orchestrated, slick, upbeat country pop. Joe Diffie's
formula is obviously working. This handsome fellow has already scored five
number one hits on the country music charts. Like Toby Keith (our
favorite main man of country pop), Mr. Diffie presents amazingly sincere
compositions with instantly lovable melodies and a vocal style that is masculine,
absorbing, and confident. Unlike Keith, Diffie is not a songwriter and instead
opts to interpret tunes written by others. The selection of material is
strong indeed, as this album comes off sounding like a non-stop string of
radio hits. From the title track right on through to "The Grandpa That
I Know," Mr. Diffie keeps the quality up. The production is lush...featuring
no less than 16 (!) backup musicians and singers. This album is certain
to please fans of country pop. Our top picks here are "My Give A Damn's
Busted," "Hollow Deep As Mine," and "What A Way To Go."
Solid stuff. (Rating: 4+++)
Flag Wavers (All of a sudden everywhere kind of things)
We'd like to take just one eensie teensie little minute to salute all you
wonderful FLAG WAVERS out there. Yeah, you...you're the ones we're
talking about. All of you proud Americans out there who have suddenly embraced
patriotism by wearing flags, hanging them from your rooftops, attaching
them to your cars and trucks, and smearing them in everyones' face... Why,
seeing all of you flag wavers out there makes us PROUD as hell to be goddamn
Americans! Hell, YEAH! Fact of the matter is, we're just CRAZY AS HELL about
the whole idea of flags in the first place. Just think...squares of colored
cloth being waved about all over the place...to show WHO YOU ARE or WHAT
YOU CARE ABOUT. It makes SO much sense, doesn't it? We should all WANT everyone
else to know WHO we are and WHAT we stand behind! That's what's so GREAT
about flags. They tell people in an INSTANT just what kind of a person you
are. The best part about all the folks out there waving the U.S. flag nowadays
is that they are telling the world how they feel about terrorism. Isn't
that NEAT? Some mean nasty bad foreign people blew up two of our ugly office
buildings...now that's what you call TERRORISM. But when we turn around
and blow the holy hell out of another country by dropping bombs everywhere...that's
just STANDING UP for ourselves and LOVING OUR COUNTRY. That's what it is
now, ain't it? SURE it is! We're all PROUD as hell to be Americans...despite
the fact that all of our prosperity and hard work has proven one thing and
one thing for sure: CAPITALISM STINKS. (Rating: 1)
Flanger
- Outer Space (CD, Ninja Tune,
Experimental ambient electronic jazz)
Very unusual and strangely satisfying. Flanger is the duo of Burnt
Friedman and Atom. Together, these two gentlemen create some
extraordinarily obtuse, quiet jazz music that is as experimental as it is
calming and subtle. If you could get them to listen to this (highly unlikely),
most diehard fans of classic jazz would probably get off on the music on
Outer Space. The album's sparse and slightly off center compositions
have a great deal in common with many of the great jazz artists of the 1950s
and beyond. The main difference, of course, is the fact that these two fellows
use mostly modern instruments. Improvisation reigns supreme on all eight
tracks here. The sound quality is outstanding. Heady and pulsing with creativity,
Outer Space is a must have for fans of modern jazz music. (Rating:
5+)
Granfaloon Bus - Exploded View (CD, Future
Farmer Recordings, Slanted folkpop)
Loose folky pop with threads of country running through it. Somewhat reminiscent
of early Neil Young (but only slightly), Granfaloon Bus is
another great (and yet virtually unknown) acoustic-based band on the Future
Farmer label. Guitarist/vocalist Felix Costanza sums up this album
best by describing it as "all drinking songs." While this would
make for some good beer-chugging music, bear in mind that this is DRINKING
music...which is very different from DRUNK music. The music is loose and
natural, but it is not sloppy and out-of-control. The vocals are the real
trademark of this band. Costanza's vocals are simultaneously masculine and
bashful...and despite his laid back approach he manages to get the point
across clearly on every track here. The arrangements have a nice loopy quality
that is appropriate for this style of music. This is one that takes a few
listens to sink in, but the album is definitely worth the time invested.
Tracks like "The Bender," "Heatwave Marchingband Soldier,"
and "A Binary Story (The Murder Wagon)" don't really sound like
anything else currently out there in the world of music. Both funny and
thought provoking, this band is certain to capture the hearts and imagination
of open minded listeners... (Rating: 5)
Hey
Mercedes - Everynight Fire Works (CD,
Vagrant, Rock/pop)
Smart, punchy, powerful pop/rock. Recorded in a mere two weeks, Everynight
Fire Works showcases a young band with energy to spare and a good melodic
sense. Hey Mercedes tunes feature driving rhythms, heavy guitars,
and well-above-average vocals. The band's sound, while retaining a hard
edge, is basic masculine pop music. All four guys are damn good players,
and the arrangements in these tunes are not your average rock plodding.
Instead, the band interjects their upbeat pop with lots of stops and starts
and little jolts of energy that is uplifting and inspiring. On first listen
this disc might not catch your attention. After three or four plays, however,
we found ourselves happily tapping our tootsies to the tasteful and addictive
sounds of Hey Mercedes... (Rating: 4+)
The Hives - Veni Vidi Vicious (CD, Epitaph
/ Burning Heart, Hard
garage rock)
Easily the best hard rock band we have ever heard from Sweden. The Hives
are one big blast of frantic, loud garage rock played with conviction and
style. The production on Veni Vidi Vicious is thick and in-your-face.
Listening to the record, it almost seems as if the band is playing right
in the middle of your goddamn living room. Playing at the speed of light
but never throwing in the towel in the songwriting department, these five
young fellows are one intense jolt of electrified energy. The band consists
of Nicholaus Arson, Howlin' Pelle Almqvist, Dr. Matt Destruction,
Chris Dangerous, and Vigilante Carlstroem. Together, they
push the limits of how much energy can actually be contained within the
digital grooves on a compact disc. If you think rock is dead, then you simply
have not yet heard this band in action. Twelve ass-kickin' tunes here, including
"Die, All Right!," "Hate To Say I Told You So," and
"Supply and Demand." Intense. (Rating: 5)
Peter
C. Johnson - Bloodshot (CD, Windjam, Progressive pop)
One of the greatest things about life...and music...is that you never know
what's going to come next. We certainly never expected to see a new CD (?!?)
show up in our mailbox from 1980s underground icon Peter C. Johnson.
But as surprising and unexpected as it may seem, Mr. Johnson is back with
a brand new album of tunes. Folks who were following the undercurrents in
1970s and 1980s music may remember Johnson for a great album he recorded
for the A&M label. The record went over extremely well with reviewers
worldwide...and even did reasonably well in terms of sales. But like so
many other talented musicians, Peter got caught up in the trappings of the
music industry and eventually retreated into obscurity. This album picks
up where Peter left off two decades ago...featuring obtuse pop numbers...and
that obscure growl/whisper that made his music so distinctive in the first
place. (He vocals still sound something like a cross between Don Van
Vliet and Bob Dylan.) One thing is for certain. This tunes are
(unfortunately) not going to be heating up the airwaves anytime soon. The
music is simply too offbeat and unfamiliar sounding for most folks. It'll
be interesting to see whether this album hits a few targets around the world...or
whether it remains (like Johnson's previous releases) an obscure favorite
among music collectors. In this l'il ol' corner of the universe, we LOVE
it. And we hope Peter is back FOR GOOD. (Rating: 5)
The
Lassie Foundation - The El Dorado L.P.
(CD, Anisette, Pop)
We honestly cannot remember the last time we were this excited about hearing
a new album by a pop band. We have been all gushy and excited by every release
thus far from The Lassie Foundation. The El Dorado L.P. does
not disappoint. Pop fans who hunger for soaring dreamy pop music in the
vein of The Beach Boys or even Lilys will want to check out
every release from this amazing band. To put it simply, pop music just doesn't
get much better than this. While the basic ingredients may be very familiar
(drums, bass, guitars, harmony vocals), the way this band blends everything
together...it sounds MILLIONS OF TIMES BETTER. This band's melodies put
other bands to shame...and their falsetto vocals are neither forced nor
feminine. The guys in The Lassie Foundation have such an unbelievable knack
for writing melodies that you will most certainly be knocked out of your
chair. This album is easily the band's best release yet. On the first listen
we were getting chills for well over half of this album. Words cannot describe
the sheer and intense brilliance of tunes like "Every Line Has Let
You Inside of Me," "You Can't Deny a Broken Heart," "Through
& Through," and "Hero." Shooting straight from the heart
with genuine sincerity and tons of true style, these guys are a pop lover's
dream come true. We don't give sixes very often...but in this case, the
decision was simple. This just may be the BEST pop album of 2001. WOW. (Rating:
6)
The
Last Hard Men - The Last Hard Men (CD,
Spitfire, Rock/pop)
Recorded way, way, WAY back in 1996 and 1997...these recordings are only
now seeing the light of day, thanks to the driving fury and commitment of
the folks at Spitfire Records. So who exactly are the provocatively titled
The Last Hard Men? Somewhat of an unknown supergroup, in a way. The
band consists of Sebastian Bach, Jimmy Flemion (of The
Frogs), Kelley Deal (of The Breeders), and Jimmy Chamberlin
(of The Smashing Pumpkins). Apparently the band originally got together
to simply record a cover version of Alice Cooper's "School's
Out" (included here). But after playing together, the band members
decided they needed to continue. Thus, they recorded the 23 tracks that
comprise this album. We are big fans of The Frogs recorded work, so we had
to give this a spin. Interestingly, Mr. Flemion wrote the majority of the
songs on this album....although it is surprising how un-Frogs-like these
tunes are. What is not surprising is that this album has a strangely disjoined
feel...coming off sounding something like a various artists compilation.
This band is an experiment. And as is the case with experiments...sometimes
they work ("Sleep"), and sometimes they don't ("That Very
Night"). There are some great gems on this album, but there is also
lots of filler to contend with. One thing's for certain...this'll stay in
our permanent collection because it is...and probably always will be...a
strange obscurity... (Rating: 3++)
Map
- Eastern Skies, Western Eyes (CD EP, Velvet
Blue Music, Soft pop)
Folks who are familiar with Velvet Blue eagerly await each and every release
from this delightful and yet somewhat obscure label. The folks at Velvet
Blue consistently retain an extremely high standard of quality by selecting
artists with have something truly valid to offer. Map is a wonderfully
entertaining trio consisting of Josh Dooley, Joesph Esquibel,
and Angelo Esquibel. On Eastern Skies, Western Eyes these
three gentlemen offer some mighty tasty morsels. The disc begins with the
instrumental stylings of "Lazy Susan Serenade" which leads into
the heavenly smooth vocals found on "Make Believe" (a song that
would make Starflyer 59 proud). "Juliette's Secret" is
a great melancholy piece drenched in reverb and cool guitars. "Christmas
in September" is another riveting pop number featuring a great melody
line and some absolutely killer guitar work. The disc closes with the instantly
catchy sound of "Crash"...a tune that should become a big hit
for the band. This is a fantastic EP from a band that fans of underground
pop will want to keep their eyes open for. Subtle yet fantastic. (Rating:
5)
Masonic - Never Stood A Chance (CD, Tight
Spot, Pop/rock)
A tip for you. If you see the Tight Spot label on a CD...BUT IT. This up-and-coming
Austin-based label seems to have good ears for good things...and this is
particularly true in the case of the band Masonic. The band's ultra
melodic guitar rock is simultaneously happy, dreamy, and hypnotic. What
impresses us most is that the band manages to conjure up so many feelings
using nothing but guitars and drums. Simple ingredients perhaps...but Masonic
is a band that just goes to show that the intent of the people making the
music is just as important as the music itself. Part of the reason these
songs sound so fresh and genuine is that the band is not trying too hard.
Instead of attempting to impress people and push things to the limit...they
just let their songs flow naturally from their spirits. There's a wonderful
homey sound to these compositions that gives us the impression that this
album was recorded in a home studio. Whatever the case, the sound is nice,
thick, and quite personal. Cool tunes like "Say Goodbye," "Satellite
Tonight," "Friday Night Song" (yes!), and "Way Down
Avenue" are sure to please fans of underground pop. GREAT stuff...!
If John Peel heard this disc *he'd LOVE it... (Rating: 5+)
Mickey Mouse (Overrated cartoon character rat-like sort of thing)
Why the HELL do so many people love Mickey Mouse? If there is one
cartoon character on the planet who is NOT worthy of all the fame and attention,
it is most certainly Mickey. The sweet-voiced rodent has absolutely NO personality...has
never ONCE been funny...and isn't even the least bit interesting to look
at. And yet, despite all these shortcomings, almost everyone seems to LOVE
the goddamn mouse. Actually, the fact that Mickey is lacking in things like
personality and charisma probably explains why people DO admire him so.
The general population wants boring, mundane, samey, average things. In
Mickey Mouse they get ALL FOUR. If you want entertainment, look to someone
with presence...someone with LOADS of character...like Bugs Bunny
(now THERE'S a role model for ya!). But for goodness sakes...we mustn't
forget that Mickey Mouse was one of the original animated characters. That
counts for SOMETHING, doesn't it? Not really. That still doesn't make this
lousy mouse matter. Although most people don't want to face the truth, Mickey
Mouse STINKS. (As do all of the other trite and disappointing Walt Disney
characters.) (Rating: 1)
Morsel - Para Siempre (CD, Small
Stone, Progressive rock)
Puzzling music. Morsel is a band with so many influences swimming
around in the mix that it becomes difficult to determine exactly who or
what they sound like. While the band possesses those thick, fat guitars
that seem to characterize bands on the Small Stone label, other elements
are drastically different. First, the music itself is progressive in nature...unlike
the marijuana-fueled loud rock supplied by other bands on the label. Second,
Morsel have a female vocalist. And instead of screaming or yelling...she
sings. Actually, the breathy, seductive vocals of Miriam Cabrera
are what will initially draw listeners to the band's music. After a few
spins of this disc, however, the intricate nature of the compositions begin
to shine through. Musically this is rather complex stuff. At times the band
rocks out...but in between these segments the listener is showered with
drone, atmospherics, traces of psychedelia, and pure experimentation. Para
Siempre could best be described as a collection of heady and intelligent
noisy pop/rock. Our favorite tracks are "Meadow," "Pieces,"
and "Hint of manMan." Somewhat different and yet strangely familiar,
this band doesn't really sound like anyone else in particular. That alone
is reason enough to check them out... (Rating: 4+++)
Nillah - The Power of Pop (CD, Shut
Eye, Pop)
Super charged glossy melodic pop music. This Atlanta-based three piece band
consists of Greg Gentry (guitars, vocals), Elisabeth Eickhoff
(bass, vocals), and Jeff Dehner (drums, percussion). If we had not
known the band was based in Atlanta, we would've guessed they were from
Massachusetts or California. We rarely hear hummable, bubblegummy music
like this being produced in our home city. Perhaps things are changing...and
perhaps one day the rest of the world will perceive Atlanta as a credible
music community. Bands like Nillah should help the cause considerably. These
folks' radio-friendly sound is polished, professional, and pulsing with
groovy melodies. Ms. Eickhoff's vocals are breathy and strong...and perfect
for this style of guitar-based power pop. Happy, vibrant tunes like "It
Hasn't Been My Year," "Deep Ocean Blue," and "Punk Rock
City" present a band that obviously believes in the true power of pop...
(Rating: 4+)
Nobodys - Less Hits More Tits (CD, Hopeless,
Punk rock)
The best release yet from the notorious Nobodys. Few bands grip the
punk torch as proudly as these guys. There are no gimmicks here and no filler
added. Nothing but loud Ramones-inspired power chords and super snotty
vocals. Unlike many punk-wannabe bands, Justin Disease (drums, vocals),
JJ Nobody (bass, vocals), and The Rodman (guitar, vocals)
are convincing and inspired. The songs are, for the most part, played at
lightning speed. The band's intensity is well particularly fine on "All
I Wanna Do," "Hate To See You Go," "Trash," and
"Get Out of Denver." Not only do these guys deliver with intense
power and energy, but they also have a great sense of humor to boot. What
more can be said? If you want a straight jolt of fast, loud punk...you won't
do much better than this. (Rating: 5)
The Plan - Only These Movements Remain (CD, Matlock
/ Rewika, Progressive hard rock)
Loud unpredictable rock. This is a co-release from Canada's Matlock label
and Germany's Rewika label. The Plan are a mind numbing experience.
The band is harsh and aggressive...but their brand of loud rock is a good
deal more complicated than what we are accustomed to hearing. Rhythms change,
stop and start...guitars spew out jagged powdered snorts of nervous riffs...and
vocalists speak/sing/yell like there's no tomorrow. The compositions on
Only These Movements Remain are an odd hybrid of thrash, punk, metal,
and progressive rock. Tunes like "Lit Like A Monument" and "Brushes
Held Like Hammers" are obviously not for everyone. The Plan is a band
that has no intent of scoring it bit with a hit single. Instead, they present
the ugly and intense side of underground rock for that esoteric audience
with enough balls to handle their approach... (Not Rated)
Jonathan Richman - Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow (CD, Vapor, Pop)
Yet ANOTHER superb album from one of the true underground heroes of our
time. We have been groovin' to the tunes of Jonathan Richman since...since...well,
we honestly can't remember now that we are senile. But it's been a VERY
LONG TIME. Most folks who create music for more than one decade either burn
out or get so full of themselves that they end up turning everyone (with
any brains) off. This is not the case with Mr. Richman. Success has always
eluded Jonathan and we can only guess that this is because he refuses to
alter his basic concept and sound to suit the masses...and also because
he refuses to try and cover up his mistakes. The formula here is basically
what the formula has always been...but this time around there's just the
teeny tiniest bit more maturity in the tunes. But fans shouldn't worry.
That maturity is actually to be expected at this point in time, and on many
of the tunes on this album that aspect actually makes the songs even better.
Anyone who has ever seen this man play live seems to come away loving him.
Why? Basically because Jonathan Richman is an embarrassingly irresistible
character with so much stage presence that his consciousness literally bleeds
off the stage and into the heads of his audience. True, he may never have
a hit record (especially if he continues writing songs with titles like
"Her Mystery Not of High Heels and Eye Shadow"...!). But this
man is actually accomplishing a great deal more than simply having a hit
record (something that he probably doesn't even WANT)...because he continues
to offer his many diehard fans all over the planet solid, captivating, sincere
albums that can be played again and again and AGAIN until the grooves turn
red. A couple of tracks on this album almost brought tears to our eyes.
This album is right up there with Jonathan's best. Easily one of the best
releases of 2001. Great. Just GREAT. (Rating: 6)
Riverboat Gamblers - Riverboat Gamblers (CD, Beatville,
Rock)
Goddamn GREAT band. Riverboat Gamblers play the kind of loud, vibrant,
loose, out-of-control, wild rock that makes our britches get all tight and
itchy. This Denton, Texas based band seems to have one interest and one
interest only...and that is to crank it up the max and play HELL RAISIN'
rock with plenty of punch and attitude. Big bitchin' guitars are layered
over throbbing rhythms and topped off with super cocky vocals. This band
is tight as a fairy's barnhole, and they interject their energetic tunes
with plenty of nice, meaty guitar riffs. This is one hell of a debut album
featuring top-notch rockers like "High Roller," "Drink Alone,"
"Whatever Whatever," and "Outta My Way." This band is
highly recommended for folks who are fans of bands on the Get Hip and Estrus
labels. Obviously the folks at Beatville have a high regard for great garage
rock, and they hit the target dead center with this band... (Rating: 5)
Stavesacre - Collective (CD, Tooth
and Nail, Rock)
Created from the ashes of The Crucified and Focused, Stavesacre
retain elements of their hardcore roots while heading towards a more accessible
sound. This CD is a collection of material culled from the band's previous
releases. The band's arena rock sounds like it came straight from the late
eighties. More than any other band, these guys sound like a very loud version
of Duran Duran (this is particularly true with regard to the vocals).
These guys' image is obviously an important element of their appeal. They
certainly all look the part. The band's loud fuzzed out guitars are based
upon thunderous drums and hypnotic bass lines...but it's those trademark
vocals that are going to pull the fans in like cheese dogs. Unlike many
other bands on the underground rock circuit, these guys actually have a
sound that could propel them into the mainstream. Hard, heavy, catchy tunes
like "At the Moment," "Colt .45," and "Rivers Underneath"
(our top pick) should please fans of arena rock who just wanna get tripped
out on good loud rock. (Rating: 4)
Skating
Club - Skating Club (CD, Lowly
/ Wishing Tree,
Slow pop)
While this may not technically qualify as slow core...it comes mighty damn
close. Coming from a direction somewhere between where Low meets
the Radar Bros meets Donovan, Skating Club is an excellent
super soft pop band with knockout tunes and spectacular vocals. This, the
band's self titled debut album, was recorded over a two year period in their
own Boston studio. Attention to detail is obvious, as these soft, mesmerizing
tunes were meticulously written and recorded. The band consists of Aubrey
Anderson, Colin Rhinesmith, and Bruce MacFarlane. Potential
listeners should be forewarned that this band's music is extremely subdued
(the label calls it "shy," which is perhaps more fitting). This
album has a wonderful overall flow and features killer tunes like "G.T.I.,"
"High Noon" (our favorite), and "The Princess and the Pea."
We rarely hear debut discs as good as this... (Rating: 5)
thebrotheregg - Snowflake & Fingerprint Machine (CD, Rubric, Pop)
Ultimately satisfying obscure pop music with a difference. thebrotheregg
have come into their current public consciousness through their association
with The Bevis Frond's Nick Saloman. The two acts played a
live show together back in 1998 after which "the egg" sent their
demo tapes around to several labels. Saloman loved the tapes, and signed
them to his Woronzow label (the British label that is closely associated
with Rubric). Listening to Snowflake & Fingerprint Machine, the
connection between Nick and this Portland band seems obvious. thebrotheregg
play what is best described as underground pop. Interestingly, despite the
high quality of the material on this album, this band will most likely be
supported by a tiny fragment of the music listening community. The main
reason is that there are no potential hits on this album. Overall, the feeling
we get when listening to this is the same general reaction we have when
listening to Sparklehorse. The tunes are subtle and grow on the listener
slowly. Unlike Sparklehorse, these gentlemen use a great deal of three part
harmonies that are most inviting (a bit reminiscent of Pink Floyd
at times). This album won't hit you over the head...but will instead creep
under your skin and stay with you for years to come. Another great item
from the fine folks at Rubric... (Rating: 5+)
The
Waterboys - A Rock in the Weary Land
(CD, RCA / BMG, Rock/pop)
We were surprised to find that we like this CD for two reasons. First, we
never cared for previous releases by The Waterboys. Second...we normally
find that by the time artists are in their 15th or 20th year of recording,
they have burned out and have nothing left to offer. With 18 years and counting,
one would expect Mike Scott (the man who actually is this band) would
have used up all of his gasoline long ago. But after giving A Rock in
the Weary Land a spin, we found the exact opposite is true. Sure, there
are touches of the overblown excess that burdened prior releases...but there
are also some genuinely entertaining compositions here as well. The title
track is a nice epic pop song featuring a great melody line and good vocals.
We particularly dig the short acoustic "It's All Gone," which
shows just how good Mr. Scott can sound without all the extra instruments
surrounding him. Another keeper here is the slightly eerie "Malediction,"
another soft, acoustic number that works extremely well. "His Word
Is Not His Bond" is another keeper, very subtle yet effective. There
are some tracks we could have done without ("Let It Happen," "Crown")...but
overall, this is the best releases we have heard from Mr. Scott and company.
(Rating: 4)
George Winston - December: 20th Anniversary Edition (CD, Windham
Hill, Piano/instrumental)
This is a reissue of George Winston's famous December album
featuring two bonus tracks ("A Christmas Song" and "Sleep
Baby Mine") plus sheet music to "Variations on the Kanon by Pachelbel"
included on the CD which can be printed out on your computer. Fans of the
Windham Hill label are already familiar with the subtle integrity of Mr.
Winston's music. Other listeners who appreciate the use of restraint...will
certainly appreciate the warmth inherent in the music on this album. The
collection of tunes is a tribute to the winter season. As such, it effectively
captures the spirit of the coldest season of the year. The pieces are stark,
yet somehow presented with a friendly and kind spirit. Hard to believe this
was recorded 20 years ago, as the sound quality is impeccable. Winston fans
will surely want to add this to their collection because of the bonus tracks.
Others wishing to enjoy the nice calming effects of solo piano will also
enjoy this immensely... (Rating: 5)
VPN - For Nearby Stars(CD, Evil
Teen, Pop)
In the case of this band, VPN stands for "very pleasant neighbor"...but
others might remember the letters as a World War II code name that meant
"friends of the communist party." Never fear, the folks in this
band are neither communists nor are they war mongers. The personnel lineup
here is interesting. The nucleus of the band consists of vocalist/guitarist
Austin Hughes and his twin sisters Pat Hughes and Jean
Rodd. Mr. Hughes wrote all the compositions on this album which is impressive
as these songs are light years beyond what most bands come up with. Hughes'
raspy yet restrained vocals fit his music perfectly, spearheading his smart
and impressively consistent melodies. On first listen, it may seem as if
VPN tunes are fluff. But upon closer inspection it becomes obvious that
these tunes are actually quite complex and intricately crafted. The musical
arrangements are particularly intriguing, combining an odd array of musical
tricks one doesn't normally associate with pop music. Approaching things
from a unique perspective, VPN are without a doubt one of our favorite new
discoveries of the year. Great tunes like "Flypaper," The Flood,"
"Ten Years From Tomorrow," and "From the Ceiling" will
still sound great decades from now... (Rating: 5++)
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