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February 2004 Reviews by
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February 2004 Reviews by
RATING SYSTEM:
= GODDAMN!!!
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOOD
= FAIR
= SHITTY
February 2004
Comment Piece:
Everyone Is Precious
Everyone is precious.
Everyone is so goddamn precious
In their own goddamn way.
All the precious goddamn little babies...
All the precious goddamn different nationalities...
All the precious goddamn religions...
All the precious goddamn governments...
All the precious goddamn musicians...
All the precious goddamn retarded celebrities...
All the precious goddamn underground artists...
All the precious goddamn lesbians and homosexuals...
All the precious goddamn animal rights activists...
All the precious goddamn senior citizens...
All the precious goddamn teenagers...
All the precious goddamn dead people rotting in the ground...
All the invisible self-centered pseudo-underground artists and writers...
All the precious goddamn people on the entire goddamn earth.
Everyone is precious in their own individual
goddamn way.
Precious, precious, precious...'til the weasel pops away.
Babyland - Past Lives (Independently released CD single, Electronic
rock)
We have felt a strange kinship with California's Babyland over the
years. Perhaps it is because they are in the land of babies...while we are
the babies of the land. What a pleasure to cram our healthy arms into the
mounting pile of releases this month to find Past Lives...a brand
new CD single from the original techno-punksters themselves. The single
finds the Babyland fellows in fine form...presenting four different version
of the title track as well as a remix ("RGB") and a "string
reissue" ("The Issuing Line"). Plenty of great unrelenting
pulsing rhythms and those unmistakable vocals. The really exciting news...is
that the band is releasing a new full-length (The Finger) Spring
2004. We can't WAIT... (Rating: 5+)
Battery Life - Shotgun Loudmouth (CD, Avebury,
Pop/rock)
Nice direct punchy pop/rock with a slight hint of country. The three gentlemen
in Battery Life play straight from the hip. Their tunes are simple
and instantly catchy...utilizing nothing more than basic drums/bass/guitar
arrangements. The band's exceptional melodies are supported by skillful
playing and a vocalist with real presence...turning what might be mere pop
tunes into energetic and vital hypnotic bite-sized rock nuggets. The songs
on Shotgun Loudmouth are an interesting hybrid of pop, punk, and
country (more the former than the latter two). By playing simple feelgood
music without unnecessary frills...these guys succeed where many others
fail. Cool cuts include "Stay Cool in the Dark in the Summer,"
"Typical Thinking Man's Blues," "Besides Who Said,"
and "Somewhere in the Night." Cool stuff. (Rating: 4+++)
Blankety
Blank - Is This Your Pill? (Independently
released CD, Bubblegum pop/rock)
Charged up bubblegummy rock that is so upbeat and ultimately dandy that
you can't help but smile and tap your tootsies. Is This Your Pill?
is a wonderfully invigorated dose of big happy funtime. The album is almost
completely out of touch with what is currently popular among average idiot
music listeners...and that is most certainly a feather in the band's
hat. The four men in Blankety Blank write and record wonderfully
uplifting pure pop music with soaring melodies that sound not unlike Jeremy
Morris. They are not afraid of sounding upbeat and positive...their
songs are instantly addictive...and the vocals are absolutely out-of-sight
(!!!). The album is short...consisting of a mere nine tunes...but within
the confines of those nine tunes, these guys convey more ideas and feelings
than 95% of everyone else out there. A truly keen little band to keep an
eye on. In this comfy little campground, Blankety Blank is an instant HIT.
Killer cuts include "5 Minutes Ago," "#1 Fan," "Is
This Your Pill?," and "You Come Through." (Rating: 5+)
Calliope - Sounds Like Circles Feel (CD, Thick,
Progressive moody pop/rock)
In most cities, hipsters are almost always very bad things. But this
may not be the case in Lansing, Michigan...as the members of Calliope
certainly seem to fit the mold of hipsters...yet their music is absolutely
fantastic (!). More than any other band, the sound of Calliope recalls one
of our top favorite bands of the 1990s, Radial Spangle...although
their sound is smoother and less obtuse. The band's moody progressive tunes
feature neat gliding melodies, intriguing arrangements, and vocals that
recall John Cale or, even more so, Alan Laird (from the previously
mentioned Radial Spangle). Sounds Like Circles Feel is a great spin...immediately
setting a mood and staying with it. Although the band's sound is too artsy
and peculiar for the average citizen, folks into quality music with a difference
will almost certainly get a hell of a bang out of this one. Superb compositions
include "What I Think You Mean," "Midwest Life," "Monsters
In Here," and "It's Later Than I Thought." Highly recommended.
(Rating: 5+++)
Charlemagne - Charlemagne (CD, Winterlander,
Pop)
While he is probably best known as the leader and songwriter for the band
Noahjohn, Carl Johns's first solo album (Charlemagne)
proves him to be a credible one man band...and may very well be the beginning
of a long and rewarding solo career. After all, when you can write and record
an album this good on your own...who needs a band? Carl's smooth,
deep voice is perfectly suited for his style of music...pensive, mid-tempo
pop with a slight hint of country. Potentially interested parties should
bear in mind that this album does not sound like it was created by one person.
The tunes sound fresh and alive rather than calculated and overdubbed to
death. Carl's overall sound is strangely reminiscent of 1990s Ohio home
taper Ray Carmen. Gliding melodies on top of intricately strummed
guitars create a hummable vibe that is both inviting and very smooth. Eleven
great cuts here including "Prisoner Of," "Dawn Upon,"
and "Champagne Chin." Excellent. (Rating: 5)
Chester Copperpot - The Kings of Kirby (CD, Popkid,
Pop)
Funny Swedish "rural power pop" with very loose vocals. Chester
Copperpot (formerly The Kings of Kirby) is Fredrik Karlsson
(guitar, lead vocals), Niklas Alden (bass, backing vocals), and Christian
Sjogreen (drums, backing vocals). Despite the fact that this trio has
an obvious sense of humor, they are by no means a joke band (although their
main objective in forming was to "have something to do whilst drinking
beer"). The Kings of Kirby contains a wealth of tracks (16 to
be exact) showcasing these fellows' vibrant enthusiasm for what they do.
The band's slightly sloppy approach seems almost purposeful and determined,
recalling The Violent Femmes early in their career. But Chester Copperpot
is mainly a power pop affair. There will almost certainly be a backlash
against the band for the vocals on this album. In many cases, the singing
is slightly off key. But this loose approach is part of the band's sound
(rather than an error)...and is, therefore, rather endearing (rather than
annoying). Kinda goofy in an odd way, these guys have their hearts in the
right place. Some moments of genius even shine through here. Fun stuff.
(Rating: 4++)
Chrash
- The Party (CD, Future
Appletree, Pop)
The Chrash (great band name, that) is the creation of Christian
Burnout (another great name, natch....). In a world full of carbon
copy musicians...Burnout's tunes are anything but predictable. We
had to spin The Party many, many times before we finally came to
the conclusion that...we really love this guy's music (!). The tunes
are simple and direct...yet there are many hard-to-describe, subtle qualities
that make the tunes sound rather unique and odd. The tunes are basic pop
with a slight twisted quality that is never obtrusive...and the melodies
are consistently wonderful. Although the overall sound is quite different
indeed, the intent behind these songs reminds us of the inspired singing
and playing on the first Talking Heads album. The Party is
difficult to describe. Although we can't exactly explain why, we highly
recommend this disc. Burnout is a superb, intelligent underground songwriter
whose music is credible and genuine. Plenty of great cuts here...! (Rating:
5+)
The
Evaporators - Ripple Rock (CD, Mint, Rock)
Fronted by Nardwuar the Human Serviette, The Evaporators provide
hyperactive buzzsaw rock in the grand tradition of bands like The Dickies,
The Buzzcocks, and the vastly underappreciated and obscure Pocket
Fishrmen. Nardwuar's vocals, in fact, sound almost exactly like Brant
Bingamon (!). The amplified frantic sound of Ripple Rock may
scare off many folks...as this band is anything but tame and palatable.
The Evaporators are, in a word, NERVOUS. They play like they have been permanently
plugged into an overdriven AC current. The songs are fast, furious, and
quite funny indeed. The band's over-the-top approach works...making Ripple
Rock a cool little trip into the world of modern day comic book style
power punk. No less than 23 tunes here...including "Addicted to Cheese,"
"(I've Got) Icicles On My Testicles," "Half-Empty Halls"
(our favorite), and "I Say That On Purpose To Bug You." (Rating:
5)
Gingersol - Eastern (CD, Rubric,
Pop)
Gingersol blew a lot of people's minds with their last album...and
Eastern has absolutely the same effect. Playing beautiful pop music
the way it ought to be played, the guys in this band really have
their act together. Gingersol is, in fact, one of the most artistically
successful pop bands of the past few years. But because the band is playing
from their hearts...instead of trying to fill their wallets...they are,
unfortunately, not a likely candidate for commercial success. Not that they
don't deserve it, of course...but the songs are simply too genuinely good
for the general public to digest. Eastern is a thoroughly absorbing
collection full of gliding melodies, stunning guitars, and mellow rhythms.
In terms of vocals, these guys beat just about everyone...recalling such
greats as Evan Dando, Matthew Sweet, and Gigolo Aunts.
Gingersol's emotionally-charged pop music is instantly effective and addictive.
Exceptional cuts include "I Tried," "Please Let Me Go,"
"Birthday Girl," and "A Great Day for War." Highly recommended.
(Rating: 5+++)
Denise James - It's Not Enough to Love (CD, Rainbow
Quartz, Pop)
Obviously heavily influenced by female pop artists from the sixties, Detroit's
Denise James is an amazing talent. Though you may not realize it,
there is a good chance that you have already heard this young lady's music
before. She has sung with and/or has had her songs recorded by a variety
of previous bands before going solo. James' debut solo went over well with
the critics...and It's Not Enough to Love is certain to be embraced
with the same ferocious devotion. The album was produced by Matthew Smith...who
deserves a great deal of credit because the overall sound is so close to
the sound of the 1960s that the listener is almost inclined to believe this
is an album of reissued material. But make no mistake, these are all new
offerings...all ten tunes penned by Denise herself. This is not indie or
lo-fi slop...but new underground classic pop music with a definite emphasis
on melodies and lyrics. And what melodies...the tunes glide by, driven by
James' reverb-drenched vocals. It's a pleasant and smooth affair from start
to finish...undoubtedly destined to delight pop fans around the world. Many
of these tunes remind us of Herman's Hermits and early Kinks.
Top picks: "Hold On This Time," "Absolutely Sad," "No
More Goodbyes," and "Your Every Word." (Rating: 5)
Lights Out Asia - Garmonia (CD, Sun
Sea Sky Productions, Progressive/instrumental)
Nice epic instrumentals that generate moods. Garmonia is the debut
album from Milwaukee, Wisconsin's Lights Out Asia. The band's music
is smooth and soothing...yet cerebral and, at times, completely absorbing.
Combining dub, ambient, electronic, and progressive elements, these folks
obviously spend a great deal of time on their arrangements. Listening to
Garmonia is like heading off on a journey during which you don't
know exactly where you're going...but you have a great time getting there.
Nice thick tunes like "Knock Knock," "Chapters Of A Red Sky,"
and "Not Every Day's A Victory" showcase this band's talents.
Exotic modern mood music with class and style. (Rating: 4+++)
Ness - Up Late With People (CD, High Pilot, Pop/rock)
Slamming out of the gates with a serious KICK....the debut album from Ness
is serious stuff (!). "Where the People Kick It" grabs you instantly
with furious drumming and power chords...and from that point forward, these
guys do no wrong. The real notable standout here is the title track...a
thirteen minute pop epic that recalls Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"
in terms of song structure and presentation. The song is long and complex...yet
never boring...and quite brilliant. How often do you hear a pop band tackle
something this lengthy and dramatic...? Answer: Never. As if that
track alone weren't enough to persuade you to buy the disc, the remaining
seven cuts are instant classics as well. For fans of power pop with a punch,
Ness is almost certain to entertain and delight. Great stuff... (Rating:
5)
Brandon
Patton - Should Confusion (Independently
released CD, Pop)
An excellent independent release. Brandon Patton may be an unknown...but
many of his tunes rival those of the biggies. His ability to turn a tune
and...even more importantly his voice...are extraordinarily impressive.
More than any other artist, Patton's approach and material remind us of
Evan Dando. His songs are, for the most part, soft pop based around
an acoustic guitar...and his vocals are wonderfully breathy and sincere.
Rather than sounding like all those interchangeable indie/lo-fi artists...Brandon
chooses to write classic pop that is fully produced and slick. Should
Confusion is chock full of mature tunes that just get better with repeated
spins. The only clunker here is "Auspicious Moment" but...considering
that it is the only bad track, eight outa nine ain't bad (!).
Particular standout cuts include "Counting the Pages," "Did
That All Before" (very Nilsson-esque), and "The Good Life."
(Rating: 4+++)
Private Lessons - False Alarms (CD, No
No, Electronic pop)
Atlanta, Georgia is largely seen by the rest of the world as a city with
few...if any...credible musical artists. Looking at the larger picture,
this may be well be true...but bubbling under the surface are some rather
incredible and genuinely intriguing acts. Private Lessons is a case
in point. The band's sound and attitude are completely out of tune with
what one is accustomed to hearing from the biggest and shittiest city in
the Southeast. Private Lessons is the duo of Jesse Atchison and Darren
Tablan, both former members of the band Floraline. The tunes
on False Alarms sound something like a cross between 10CC,
Starflyer 59, and Joy Electric. Atchison and Tablan use technology
to their advantage...keeping the human elements in their tunes firmly intact.
Tunes are the central focus of any album, of course...and there are some
truly choice gems to be found here. Heavenly cuts like "Emotional Shock,"
"Beach Blankets," and "Good Life" showcase wonderfully
gliding melodies and vocals that are smooth as newborn baby acid. Cool stuff
from a brand new band on a brand new label... (Rating: 4+++)
Rasputina - Frustration Plantation (CD, Instinct, Obtuse progressive
pop/rock)
One of the most unique acts to emerge in the 1990s, Melora Creager
continues to entertain and amaze with her peculiar brand of cello-based
progressive rock. Considering the quality of the band's output, it seems
amazing that Rasputina has only garnered the attention of a relatively
small underground audience. While not the band's best recorded work, Frustration
Plantation is a welcome addition to an already impressive collection
of releases. The album contains some real gems but the overall flow is hampered
somewhat by the inclusion of some novelty pieces. The best tracks are the
stranger ones..."Doomsday Averted" and "Momma Was An Opium-Smoker"
being the obvious standouts. While Creager's spoken word pieces are usually
clever and hilarious, in this case there is a real clunker ("My Captivity
By Savages") that would have best been left off the album. By anyone
else's standards, this would be a modern day masterpiece. By Rasputina's
admittedly high standards, this is a very good album that will, at the very
least, satiate fans until the next offering... (Rating: 5-)
The
Residents - Demons Dance Alone DVD (DVD,
Music Video Distributors,
Bizarre art rock)
Much more than a mere concert video...Demons Dance Alone is yet another
peculiar and fascinating journey into the mind(s) of The Residents.
Like a good dream, the concert starts slowly...getting weirder and weirder
with each passing section/song. The Residents are, quite possibly, the most
successful unconventional band on the planet. Since the band began, they
have continually pushed the limits of what rock music can and/or should
be. What is particularly interesting about this DVD are the effects. Instead
of merely taping the concert from a normal perspective, the camera person
actually becomes part of the show...following members around on stage...and
even backstage at times. The effects are bizarre and often times frightening...blurred
colors and stop/start images give the viewer an uneasy feeling. Musically,
the band is once again on top of their game. Although generally considered
to be a novelty by many, Residents tunes are actually incredibly complex
and intelligent. Perhaps one day...unlike Gwar...the band's music
will be appreciated on its own merits. There are so many outstanding moments
that it would be impossible to include them all here...but a few highlights
include (a) the freakish dancing demon himself, (b) the segments where everything
turns into an unintelligible blur of bleeding colors, and (c) the "Life
Would Be Wonderful" segment...in which the King Resident himself recalls
a wildly hilarious story about meeting James Brown in the 1960s.
We would highly recommend anything and everything that The Residents have
ever produced...and that includes this peculiar little gem. Highly recommended.
(Rating: 5++)
The Robot Ate Me - On Vacation (Double CD, Swim
Slowly, Offbeat pop)
You have to listen to a few thousand new bands each and every year...to
realize just how boring most of them are (!). But on a positive note,
all the generic uninteresting artists do serve a purpose...they make
you really appreciate the good ones when they come along. The
Robot Ate Me is an obtuse underground band that instantly stands out
from the pack. The songs are almost completely out of touch with everything
else currently happening in music...and what a refreshing change that is
indeed. On Vacation is a brilliant two CD set enclosed in a beautifully
crafted (and individually-numbered) handmade booklet. The Robot Ate Me is
Ryland Bouchard along with David Greenberg (drums, percussion)
and Jay Hoffmann (bass, violin). Bouchard's tunes sound something
like Broadway musical tunes from the 1930s or 1940s...infused with all kinds
of bizarre electronics, odd sounds, and treatments. The tunes sound simultaneously
old and new...drawing inspiration from a wild variety of sources...all the
while retaining a cohesive overall vibe. Possible modern influences might
include The Eels, The Residents, Sparklehorse, Radial
Spangle, and The Flaming Lips. Possible older influences could
include everyone from Peggy Lee to Robert Wyatt to Ray
Davies to Neil Young. But in all truthfulness, The Robot Ate
Me tunes are their own pure entity...borrowing ideas and sounds from others...while
retaining a distinct originality and uniqueness that is overwhelmingly appealing
and fantastic. Bouchard's vocals are fragile and subdued...as are the atmospheric
electronics that curdle his vocals. Each disc was recorded in a different
location...presenting a combined total of seventeen tunes. The first disc
is very moody and obtuse...while the second disc is more accessible and
considerably less peculiar. This is a great package that should be grabbed
up quickly...only 5,000 copies produced. On Vacation is a wonderful
little trip...highly recommended...unique, refreshing...and REAL. (Rating:
5+++)
Rocket From the Tombs - Rocket Redux (CD, Smog
Veil, Rock)
In many ways, Rocket From the Tombs may be one of the strangest reunions
of all time. The band was formed about three decades ago...only played about
a dozen shows...and then broke up and splintered into other bands. The "splinters"
are the important variable here...as members of the band went on to join
Pere Ubu and The Dead Boys. This album features the original
line-up of David Thomas (vocals), Cheetah Chrome (guitar,
vocals), Craig Bell (bass, vocals), and Steve Mehlman (drums)...along
with a bonus musician: Richard Lloyd on guitar. Talk about an all-star
line-up (!). You would think...with middle-aged musicians getting back together
after such a long time...that the proceedings would be dull, uninspired,
and tedious but...surprise! This album is fresh, intense, and quite an interesting
trip. Lloyd produced, recorded, and mixed the album. An interesting simultaneous
glimpse into the past and present... (Rating: 4++)
Social Functions (Tedious, trite, and boring thing that appeals to retarded morons
kind of thing)
Hey, blah blah is having a PARTY at blahblah! Oh, let's go!
All of our friends will be there...it'll be SO much FUN! Parties,
parties everywhere...and not a drop worth SHIT. Why do people hang out with
each other in groups? Why is it, you ask? It is because they are STUPID
and PATHETIC. You see, dear readers, stupid and pathetic people have ONE
IMPORTANT THING in common. They all like to HANG AROUND WITH EACH OTHER.
And being the stupid, pathetic retards that they are, when they get together
for their GODDAMN SOCIAL FUNCTIONS...they actually think that they
are having a GOOD TIME. Which just goes to show, of course, how truly
stupid and pathetic they REALLY ARE. Strength lies in individuality...never
needing to have the support and or approval of friends or strangers...or
ANY GODDAMN GROUP OF PEOPLE AT ALL. Yet everywhere we look HORDES of people
are crowding into STORES...CONCERTS...SPORTING EVENTS...FUND RAISERS...
Strange how EACH and EVERY goddamn large group looks just the others...like
a stinking horde of INSECTS rooting about in a piece of ROTTEN WOOD. People
are shitty, ugly, worthless goddamn SCUM...each one shitty, ugly, and worthless
in its own UNIQUE GODDAMN way. So the next time you consider going to a
concert...or to a hip party... or WHATEVER...REMEMBER THIS. Hanging around
with others doesn't make you seem "cool"...it makes you seem DUMB
AS SHIT. (Rating: 1)
Sounds Like Braille - Right Out of Left Field, Straight to the Middle of Nowhere...
(CD, Contraphonic, Progressive/instrumental)
Riding the crest of the new wave of progressive instrumental bands, Wisconsin's
Sounds Like Braille certainly have the right idea...as well as the
talent and skills to make it work. The band's complex and often-times thick
instrumentals are moody and slightly surreal...pushed to the next level
by the appropriate use of real drums (a huge plus). Odd guitars and
subtle electronics merge into a compelling haze of bizarre imagery...while
clever bass lines and precise drumming hold things together. It is difficult
to describe the sort of dreamy music this band provides...thus, the listener
is left to draw his or her own conclusions. Jazzy instrumentals with modern
rock overtones. This band delivers the goods with subtle intensity and style...
(Rating: 4+++)
Sufjan
Stevens - Seven Swans (CD, Sounds Familyre, Soft pop)
Easily one of the most gifted unknown artists around. Sufjan Stevens
is a brilliant young man with a unique approach to music and an instantly
identifiable sound. Seven Swans was recorded approximately three
years before its release by Daniel Smith (of Danielson Famile).
It is, in fact, the only Sufjan Stevens album that he hasn't recorded himself.
As such, it seems interesting that the album features a more stark and realistic
image of the man. In many ways, the overall tone of Seven Swans is
reminiscent of Donovan's A Gift From A Flower To A Garden.
The songs are simple, super soft, and direct and feature sparse arrangements...allowing
the listener to focus on the melodies and, in particular, the finely tuned
lyrics. Superb introspective tunes like "All the Trees of the Field
Will Clap Their Hands" and "Sister" give this album true
appeal. While we prefer Stevens' own brand of recording and arranging, this
is still an intriguing glimpse into the mind of the man from a different
perspective... (Rating: 5+)
The Very Most - Making the Case For Me (CD, Coming
In Second, Pop)
The Very Most is the one man band consisting of Jeremy Jensen.
His latest album is offered to the public courtesy of the fine folks at
Coming In Second, a small Boise, Idaho-based label dedicated to promoting
some of the area's more obscure musical entertainers. Jeremy Jensen is an
intelligent popster with a super smooth voice...and an impressive flair
for writing tunes. His music is inspired and extraordinarily unpretentious.
The overall vibe of Making the Case For Me is pleasant and upbeat...without
ever sounding too sweet or sugary. Some of the tunes are highly reminiscent
of Jeremy Morris in that the words and melodies are persistently
positive. This album is a nice little jewel that you aren't likely to find
in the stacks at your local record shop...so your best bet would be to visit
the label's web site (link above). A cool little gem, this one... (Rating:
4+++)
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