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February 2005 Reviews by
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February 2005 Reviews by
RATING SYSTEM:
= GODDAMN!!!
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOOD
= FAIR
= SHITTY
February 2005 Comment Piece Which Is A Poem:
Mousy Do and Mousy Don't
Mousy do and
Mousy don't.
Mousy will and
Mousy won't.
Mousy get backed up again.
Mousy shares a
Toothless grin.
Mousy Mouse,
Will you tell a star?
Mousy Mouse
Buys a brand new car.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Advocate (Magazine, January 18, 2005)
A close associate loaned us this magazine recently...mainly because it features
a lengthy interview with Ellen DeGeneres. The interview was interesting
but...the remainder of the magazine was unbearable. Once a somewhat
credible voice for gays and lesbians in the United States, the magazine
has now sadly regressed into a bad parody of itself. One thing is certain.
If it doesn't have something to do with being a gay man or a lesbian
woman (or how society so wrongly discriminates against them)...you certainly
won't find it here. It seems odd that a magazine that constantly
encourages the rest of the world to ACCEPT...is so obviously and dramatically
closed-minded to everyone outside of its own clan. If the actor or actress
or artist or musician isn't openly homosexual or lesbian, they are certain
to be EXCLUDED from the pages of The Advocate. How narrow minded
is that....? If you wonder why so many people hate homosexuals, all
you need do is paw through the pages of this magazine and you will quickly
realize why. One article after another depicts shallow sissies "coming
out" (vomit) and whining about discrimination...while the advertisements
feature the most sickeningly obvious gay retards whooping it up and showing
off for the camera. The Advocate is embarrassing. Instead of helping "the
cause"...this magazine is perpetuating stereotypes and myths. The folks
at The Advocate aren't interested in anything other than making lots of
money by appealing to the ultimately shallow and phony men and woman who
are stupid enough to read their canned crap. Either that...or perhaps they
themselves are the same sort of cheap generic sheep that they are writing
for...and they just don't know any better. The saddest part is that
there are so many people out there who honestly feel that...because they
read this magazine...their lives are actually being "enlightened"
(ha!!!). In the feature article, DeGeneres makes two interesting
observations: (1) that she doesn't think of herself as a lesbian each and
every day of her life, and (2) that she has never had the desire to get
married. If more folks saw the world like Ellen...there might be fewer goddamn
piece-of-shit magazines like The Advocate wasting space...and minds...across
the country. (Rating: 1)
Kelli Ali - Psychic Cat (CD, One
Little Indian, Pop)
Former Sneaker Pimps vocalist strikes out on her own...with wonderfully
satisfying results. Produced by Dave McCracken (who has produced
Depeche Mode and Tori Amos among others in the past), Psychic
Cat is a slick and soothing collection of tunes that would make Madonna
proud. Slick and highly produced albums are, for the most part, disposable
pieces of garbage. In the case of Psychic Cat this is thankfully
not the case (!). Kelli Ali has a great voice but even more
importantly, she and her co-writers have come up with some killer songs.
Slamming out of the gate with the thick addictive beat of "Hot Lips,"
the listener is immediately caught up in Ali's intense presence. The tunes
on this album are danceable and upbeat...but they also pack a hearty punch
in the rhythm department. Fuzzy guitars merge with thick synthesizers to
create tunes that are a total treat for the ears. Kickass compositions include
"Home Honey I'm High," "In Praise of Shadows," and "Last
Boy on Earth." Cool stuff that ROCKS. (Rating: 5)
The
Angelus - The Angelus (CD EP, Pyramid Scheme, Progressive
pop/rock)
Sounding something like a cross between The Chainsaw Kittens and
The Smiths with sprinkled nuances reminiscent of the first U2
album...Texas-based The Angelus have come up with an intriguing EP
that features five well arranged progressive pop/rock tunes. The band may
perhaps sum up their sound best in their own words: "epic rock bearing
bells, infectious piano melodies, and soaring vocals." This aptly
describes the overall sound. These lengthy compositions feature articulate
piano, smooth rhythms, distorted guitars, and wonderfully distant vocals.
This band isn't playing a specific style of music...opting instead to follow
their souls in their quest for critical acclaim. Cool cuts include "Story
of the Shaken" and "Casts a Great Light." Good stuff. (Rating:
4++++)
Keren
Ann - Nolita (CD, Blue
Note, Soft pop)
Keren Ann's fourth album is a haunting and enchanting experience.
This young French lady (who also now calls New York City her home) impressed
many critics with her previous album (Not Going Anywhere)...but our
guess is that Nolita will be the one to really boost her career.
Keren writes moody subtle pop compositions which feature slick arrangements
and provide the perfect background for her soothing and ultimately sensual
vocals. The songs on this album alternate between English and French lyrics.
But no matter what language she's singing in, Keren never manages to grasp
her listeners firmly in the palm of her hand. Despite the fact that her
style is decidedly laidback, this young woman is ultimately determined and
focused on her craft. Relaxing tunes like "Que N'ai-je?," "Greatest
You Can Find," "Nolita," and "Song of Alice" are
wonderfully stated pieces that sound better with each and every spin. Polished
to perfection, Nolita is a fantastic collection of soft pop. (Rating:
5+)
Berry
- Sunday Morning Radio (Extended Play) (CD-R EP, Independent release),
The Mirror EP (CD-R EP, Independent release)
Wow. Packaged in unassuming plain brown bags (tied with string and a band-aid),
these little CD-Rs features several tracks of wonderfully moody and methodically
produced underground pop. While there are plenty of artists who shouldn't
be recording and releasing music just because they can...there are
also plenty of unknown artists toiling away in obscurity who are producing
some fantastic things. This fellow falls into the latter category. The invisible
man who calls himself Berry is a killer singer/songwriter whose music
can compete with just about anyone. Intelligently melodic and arranged to
perfection, these songs are a true delight. Our only complaint...? That
there aren't more songs on these discs. This guy's got a great future
ahead of him no matter which way you look at it. There's no web site listed...only
an e-mail...so this might be the best way to contact the man: sunday-breakfast@hotmail.com.
Truly splendid stuff... (Rating: 5+)
Blue Meanies - Full Throttle (CD, Thick,
Rock)
Strange cut-and-paste abrasive ska-based punk rock. This Chicago-based band
packs a monster punch...as they stomp and thrash their way through sixteen
tracks on the appropriately-titled Full Throttle (three are bonus
tracks). This band is anything but predictable. Their music possesses
strange schizophrenic qualities...making it difficult to understand and/or
keep up with them. Rather than just being a noise band, these guys write
tunes that are intelligent and different. The listener might be inclined
at first to classify Blue Meanies as a noise band, but this would be completely
inaccurate. While the proceedings are decidedly intense and harsh (most
of the time), the band has no problem with toning things down on occasion.
Spinning this disc is something like changing gears on a motor car. Sometimes
things run in full tilt...at other times the motor simply hums along. If
you're looking for easy listening, you won't find it here. These guys challenge
their listeners in many ways...offering odd, crazy cuts like "The 4th
of July," "Smother Me," "Get Nowhere," and "Deep
in the Hops." Great stuff... (Rating: 5)
Bossy Bosses - Our Insecurity Manifests Itself in the Need to Boss Others
Around (CD, Neatnuk, Classical)
There's something suspicious about everything all of a sudden. We're not
sure what it is...but we're certain that something is going on somewhere.
Bossy Bosses...who hasn't experienced 'em...? Those rude, smelly
moron bastards who poot around telling others what to do. Those foul-mouthed
cancerous tumors whose entire existence is built upon bossing people around.
Sad little creatures, the bossy bosses...they don't know what not to do.
But in the end their ends will clearly be the end of it all... (Rating:
1)
thebrotheregg - Aortica Mor (CD, Bingo
Lady, Moody pop)
Some bands start off with a modest following and then promptly alter their
music to cater to a larger fan base...losing their original vision in the
process. And then there are bands like thebrotheregg. The band garnered
a good bit of attention with their last album (Snowflake and Fingerprint
Machine)...but instead of fine tuning their music to reach more fans,
they chose instead to take the opposite path. Aortica Mor is a purely
artistic effort. The gentlemen in this band aren't trying in the least to
come up with a hit. The songs on this album are odd, peculiar journeys into
this band's imagination. These cuts are hard to pigeonhole and categorize...yet
they are highly inventive and effective. The melodies are like streams that
wind and fall down the sides of mountains. Jazzy and subtle pop combines
with flashes of progressive rock to create heady and intelligent compositions.
This lengthy album (clocking in at over an hour) features wonderfully understated
tunes that are simultaneously smooth and unpredictable. Great cuts include
"Penny Farthing," "Dandelion Wildfires," "What
the Zoo Did To You," and "That One Salty Sea." Great stuff,
far outside the norm... (Rating: 5+)
Chatham County Line - Route 23 (CD, Yep
Roc, Bluegrass/country)
This ain't no alternative country/bluegrass crap...this is the REAL thing.
Raleigh, North Carolina-based Chatham County Line is a fantastic
little classic bluegrass band...and Route 23 is as refreshing as
a milkshake on a hot summer afternoon. The album features fourteen original
tunes that are instantly memorable. The vocals are right on target from
start to finish...and the playing is spirited and authentic. Produced by
Chris Stamey, this album is almost certain to be on many "best
of" lists for 2005. Great cuts include "Nowhere To Sleep,"
"Dark Clouds," "Parlour Light," and "Make Some
Pay." (Rating: 5)
Doris
Henson - Give Me All Your Money (CD,
DeSoto, Pop)
What first struck us about Doris Henson is that these guys don't
seem to be "trying too hard"...and that is a VERY GOOD THING (!).
Your average generic twenty-first century band seems mainly concerned about
two things: (1) creating a dumb image and (2) creating forgettable music
that sounds like every other generic twenty-first century band on the planet.
The guys in this Kansas-based band look just like average fellows...and
their music is basic pop without excessive twists and frills. Nothing extraordinary
here really...except for the MUSIC and the SONGS. Our
guess is that Doris Henson is going to be overlooked by most folks because
you have to play the album a few times for it to sink in. Give Me All
Your Money won't clobber you over the head with clever inventiveness...but
it is almost CERTAIN to stick with you over the long run. The band's straightforward
pop seems to be based in early 1980s new wave...but it actually sounds more
timeless than that. The mid-tempo pop tunes on this album are smart without
trying to be smart. We most certainly get the impression that these five
fellows are making music for the ALL THE RIGHT REASONS. Killer tracks like
"Pollen Tom," "The Most," "Let You Down,"
"Joybirds," and "When You Go" are smooth, entertaining
rides that you won't want to miss... (Rating: 5)
FFA Coffi Pawb - Am Byth (CD, Placid Casual / Empyrean,
Underground pop)
Am Byth is a collection of tunes from FFA Coffi Pawb, an underground
pop band from Wales who recorded and performed from 1986 to 1992 (. During
their short career, the band released three albums, several flexi-discs,
and also contributed tracks to several compilation albums. Sadly, the master
tapes of many of the bands recordings no longer exist. As a result, much
of the material here has been remastered from a variety of sources. Fortunately
great care was taken in preparation and, as a result, the sound quality
is surprisingly consistent most of the time. FFA Coffi Pawb does, of course,
feature the talents of Gruff Rhys and Dafydd Ieuan (of Super
Furry Animals). The band's music sounds very much like a cross between
The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Television Personalities.
Fuzzy and slightly obtuse underground pop music that is remarkably uplifting
and good spirited. Am Byth features sixteen little gems that might've
been lost if someone hadn't been out there weeding out the goods and cleaning
them up for the rest of us. Cool stuff... (Rating: 4++++)
The
Foxymorons - Hesitation Eyes (CD, Heatstroke, Pop)
More understated pop music from the duo of David Dewese and Jerry
James. Hesitation Eyes is possibly the duo's most fully realized
effort. The songs are well-written and thoughtful, the arrangements fit
the tunes, and the recording quality is consistent throughout. Most folks
may fail to recognize the inherent and understated qualities in this duo's
music. These songs do not blow you away on the listen but will, instead,
sound better with each and every repeated spin. Cool hummable pop tunes
include "Harvard Hands," "I'm Still In Love," "Pistol
By Your Side," and "Hesitation Eyes." Great stuff. (Rating:
5)
Half Handed Cloud - Thy Is A Word and Feet Need Lamps (CD, Asthmatic
Kitty, Progressive pop)
Simultaneously funny, moving, intelligent, goofy, and thought-provoking.
Half Handed Cloud is singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist John
Ringhofer, a young man whose creativity expands well beyond the normal
boundaries of mankind. The confusingly-titled Thy Is A Word and Feet
Need Lamps is a bizarre, short spin (the album clocks in at just over
30 minutes) and features progressive pop numbers with busy arrangements,
reflective lyrics, and strange sounding vocals. Ringhofer seems to be a
master at combining the silly with the profound. At one moment his music
is hilarious...the next moment it comes across sounding quite serious and
sombre. The feeling we get listening to this music is that we're tip-toeing
through a baby's playpen and stop for just a moment to hear the child in
the room playing adult tunes on its toy piano. Making things even stranger
are the persistent Bible references (?!?). You won't often hear anyone
recording tunes like "You Get A Horse's Hoe," "Flea Market
Temple," and "Grandfather Foreskin." The sad part is that
this material is so smart and inventive that most folks simply aren't
going to be able to follow John in his crazy musical endeavors. This is
a superb, highly-imaginative collection of tunes that most certainly deserves
your attention...if you don't mind being challenged, that is... (Rating:
5+)
Hermano - Dare I Say (CD, MeteorCity,
Stoner rock)
Rip-roaring stoner rock from Hermano, a band featuring former members
of Supafuzz, Orquesta del Desierto, Unida, and Kyuss.
Dare I Say is one kickass rock and roll album...chock full of thick
churning rhythms...and the unmistakably macho vocals of John Garcia.
This band absolutely sounds like they're on fire as they churn out one hot
and heavy number after another. The playing is fierce and tight and the
guitars are forceful and inventive. The guys in Hermano draw as much from
1970s pothead rock as they do from modern twenty-first century heavy metal.
Killer cuts include "Cowboys Suck," "Life," "Quite
F*cked," "Let's Get It On," and "Angry American."
Loud, ballsy, and INTENSE. Great stuff... (Rating: 5++)
Lily
Holbrook - Everything Was Beautiful and
Nothing Hurt (CD, Back
Porch, Soft pop)
Originally known only by her first name, Lily Holbrook now goes by
her full name...perhaps to follow in line with her continually expanding
musical consciousness. Before we even get to the music here, we must first
note that the record company (Back Porch) has issued this CD in a very user-unfriendly
format...only playable on your computer if you have the proper software
to do so. This backfire approach to marketing music is hurting many artists
and will most likely hamper the success of this album. It is unfortunate,
therefore, that this company has released Everything Was Beautiful and
Nothing Hurt...because it is a beautiful and haunting album full of
Ms. Holbrook's thoughtful and imaginative music. Originally a street musician
in Boston, Lily has made great strikes in a very short amount of time. This
album features thick, lush arrangements that would make Tori Amos
proud. Her voice just keeps getting better...and her songs are absolutely
magnetic. Ten cool tracks here including "Welcome to the Slaughterhouse,"
"Better Left Unsaid," "Bleed," and "Three Inch
Heels." Great stuff... (Rating: 5+)
The Holy Ghost - Welcome To Ignore Us (CD, Clearly,
Pop/rock)
We've been raving about The Holy Ghost for some time now. We are
pleased to report that Welcome to Ignore Us is, quite possibly, the
band's best release yet. It would be sad indeed if the lead track ("Commercial")
does not become a huge hit...because the tune is absolutely KILLER. Before
you can catch your breath from the first track, the ultimately catchy refrain
of "Genghis Khan" invades your consciousness and permanently takes
up residence. The rest of the album is like a great roller coaster ride
featuring top-notch twenty-first-century modern rock. This band really has
it all. Alec Ferrell provides constantly challenging guitar
licks. Christopher Dean Heine's vocals are absolutely hypnotic and
intense. Angela Webster can certain pound most male drummers into
the pavement. And Kent Heine's solid bass lines hold the entire package
together. A lot of alternative snobs probably won't like The Holy Ghost
because they aren't noisy enough, weird enough, and strange enough...but
those folks will be the sad losers because they will be missing out on one
of the very best bands of the past few years. Killer tracks on this
album include "Chez Paree," "40 Winks," "Pyramid,"
and "Shoe." This band is highly recommended for anyone who ever
loved The Doors, The Cure, and The Strokes. Highly
recommended. (Rating: 5+++)
Kamelot - The Black Halo (CD, SPV
USA, Progressive power metal)
Great anthemic rock from Florida's Kamelot, a wonderfully intense
power metal band from Tampa, Florida. These fellows play complicated progressive
metallic rock music that features pounding rhythms and angelic vocals. The
Black Halo features a really thick, slick, BIG produced sound that is
perfectly effective for this style of music. Most metal bands play one song
over and over...but not these guys. Each and every selection is an entity
unto itself...and each is easily identified from the other. The lead guitar
playing is so good that it hurts (!). These songs are incredibly
well-written, each one coming off like some kind of sonic, epic journey
into the center of the mind. There's a lot to digest here...fourteen whopping
cuts, including "March of the Mephisto," "Abandoned,"
"Nothing Ever Dies," and "Serenade." Combining the best
elements from 1970s metal to the present, the guys in Kamelot have come
up with a direct HIT. (Rating: 5+)
Randy
Kaplan - Perfect Gentleman (Double CD,
Yellow Thing Records & Books, Pop)
Quality recordings from lo-fi underground recording popster Randy Kaplan.
Kaplan's tunes are nice and laidback...often recalling the music of Paul
Simon and Bob Dylan. This is a whopping collection of songs...two
discs containing a total of 28 tracks. That's a lot...even from an established
artist. Releasing a double CD containing so much material is probably not
the best career move in the world (shorter albums tend to be better received
by listeners)...but if you like what Kaplan is doing, these discs will provide
a great deal of spinning power. Unlike most underground songwriters, Randy
doesn't write weird or crazy music. Instead, he writes tunes that could
easily be accepted by the general public...if they were recorded in a big
slick studio and had tons of money devoted to marketing them. But because
he offers home recordings using only the bare essentials, Kaplan's fan base
is likely to remain small...and this just may be exactly what he
is searching for--a relatively small number of listeners who genuinely care
about him and his music. Keeping company with other credible artists like
Dan Bern...we get the idea that Randy Kaplan's heart is definitely
in the right place. And...in the end...isn't that what really matters? (Rating:
4+++)
Larry the Canary - Stop Feeding Me Goddamn Seeds! (CD, Granlope,
Jazz/pop)
Larry the Canary is one big fat unhappy bird. Stop Feeding Me
Goddamn Seeds! is Larry's plea to the rest of the world. And what a
plea it is. His tail feathers are narrow and brittle and his beak is rather
lop-sided. He sneaks into other birds' cages and takes a sit-down. Then,
just when you think he won't ruffle his feathers again, he carries out his
hidden, dark things to get right on with "the brothers" in a new
situation comedy. The sad part is that...people will probably continue
to feed Larry seeds. Oh well. Who gives a damn if another bird bites the
dust? (Rating: 1)
Eric
Matthews - Six Kinds of Passion Looking
For An Exit (CD, 451 Music, Soft pop)
Everyone probably has a different take on Eric Matthews. For an underground
artist, his music is surprisingly accessible and familiar sounding. In our
minds, Matthews' music seems to draw heavily from David Bowie's Space
Oddity album. The tunes are subtle, highly melodic, and feature exceptional
lyrics. This is a short disc featuring a mere seven tracks. But this man
does a lot with a little...managing to come up with nothing but winners
here. Eric released two albums in the mid-1990s which were well-received.
He then seemed to drop out of the picture...until now. Fans of the man...as
well as many others...will find these tunes delightfully rewarding. Polished
to perfection, these songs come off sounding genuinely sincere. Top picks:
"Worthy," "Cardinal Is More," "Underground Song,"
"Black to Light Brown." (Rating: 5)
Monster Dog (DVD, Music
Video Distributors, Horror)
This obscure 1984 film stars Alice Cooper...who puts in an impressive
performance as Vince "Raven" Roberts (a rock singer who
returns to his family home to shoot a video). Monster Dog is a campy
film that features wonderfully spooky lighting effects (lots of smoke and
eerie blue lights) and acting that is highly reminiscent of Russ Meyers
films. This is really more of a gore film than a horror film. There's lots
of blood spurting and people dying...but there's nothing that's really all
that frightening by modern-day standards. Quite possibly the most scarey
thing about this film is how much Cooper looks and even sounds like
Jeff Goldblum (!). But fortunately Monster Dog is still a
good view, even if it does seem to go on and on at times. One wonders where
these actors and actresses are now (?). The musical score (courtesy of Grupo
Dichotomy) fits the images and is quite instrumental in keeping the
flow going. The film contains two exclusive Cooper songs. While not the
most intense film ever made, Dogs is still rather enlightening...shedding
light on what horror movies were like in the early 1980s... (Rating: 4++)
Mt.
Gigantic - Old Smiler (CD, Friends and Relatives /
Harlan, Obtuse experimental
pop/rock)
Mt. Gigantic is a group of insanely creative musicians (mainly
from Bloomington, Indiana). Old Smiler is a truly weird spin...and
it is VERY DIFFICULT to describe. One thing is certain. This music is MUCH
too creative and much too UNUSUAL for the average listener. For our own
peculiar tastes, however, this stuff HITS THE TARGET. Combining way too
much of everything into musical collages that range from subdued and peculiar...to
extremely nervous and crazed...these folks have created a whirlwind of a
listening experience that is as perplexing and entertaining as it is hilarious.
The lyrics MUST BE READ to be believed. Rarely have we seen such creativity
in the lyric department (!). If you're searching for something truly DIFFERENT,
you won't do much better than this. Consider the song titles: "Bring
Back the Healthy," "Dip Into My Daddy," "Grampa Plays
the Drums," "Raechei and Her Children," "Bells,"
"Hey There Is No Birthday Party For Me In Here I Want To Punch You,"
"Making Time For / It Is Time For." This crazed album sounds something
like the 1960s group The G.T.O.'s...if their feet had gotten hit
by lightning. Wild, intense, unpredictable, funny...and very, very ODD.
Highly recommended. (Rating: 5+++)
Parchman Farm - Parchman
Farm (CD EP, Jackpine
Social Club, Rock)
Playing bluesy loud rock in the grand tradition of Mountain, the
folks in Parchman Farm mean what they play. Lead vocalist
Eric Shea's vocals are decidedly reminiscent of Leslie West.
Add big thick overdriven guitars and a super macho rhythm section...and
you have a band that is a big ol' hairy rush of adrenaline. Combining the
best of 1970s heavy metal with a modern style and sound, this EP presents
a fine young band with a future. Five choice cuts here...including "Mirror
Spirit," "Chosen Child," and "Cook You Up." Really
meaty stuff that truly rocks... (Rating: 4++++)
William Parker - Luc's Lantern
(CD, Thirsty Ear, Jazz)
Luc's Lantern features the superb jazz trio of William Parker
(bass), Eri Yamamoto (piano), and Michael Thompson (drums).
Parker's bass lines are fluid and spontaneous and they merge perfectly with
Yamamoto's beautifully understated piano. Lantern is a subdued, relaxing
spin...making it the perfect choice for dinner music or entertaining guests.
Instead of overplaying, each member of the trio shows marked restraint...which
allows the listener to easily concentrate on the contributions of the individual
players. The album features ten tracks, including "Adena," "Evening
Star Song," "Bud in Alphaville," and "Candlesticks on
the Lake." Extraordinarily tasteful and satisfying... (Rating: 5)
The
Plastic Fantastics - The Plastic Fantastics
(CD EP, DNA Productions,
Rock/pop)
Hard hitting thick pop/rock from New York's The Plastic Fantastics.
This is the band's first release...and it's a keeper. Beginning with the
incredibly catchy refrain of "God Damn Radio," the band instantly
grabs their audience by the balls. Headed by singer/songwriter lionel
Cohen, the band's technology-rich hard sound sounds something like a
cross between Nine Inch Nails and Love and Rockets. The tunes
feature heavy synthesizers, crazy guitars, and an even heavier rock beat...and
vocals that will most certainly drive listeners into a frenzy. This impressive
EP features six tracks including "So Far Away," "Sorry I
Killed You," and "Untitled 97." Great stuff. (Rating: 5)
Steve Porter - Homegrown (CD, Fade / FDS Recordings, Dance)
Originally a record store clerk who morphed into a popular New England DJ,
Steve Porter has quickly made a name for himself around the globe
as a producer extraordinaire. If there is a point that Porter seems to be
making, it just might be that dance music doesn't have to sound stupid.
The tunes on Homegrown are anything but predictable generic
dance club fodder. The album features plenty of thick meaty beats...but
the unpredictable layered instruments are what make these tunes such a treat.
Simultaneously heady and trippy, these tracks can be appreciated on many
different levels. Sure, they're great for dancing...but they also make for
some simply wonderful driving music. Porter isn't content to merely program
a computer and let things run their course. Instead, he injects his tunes
with a great deal of spontaneity and variety. These fourteen tunes are pumped
up feelgood cuts...sure to put the listener in a positive frame of mind.
Killer tracks include "Fluffer Nutter," "Swanky," "Sandbox,"
and "Purina." Absolutely great stuff...! (Rating: 5+)
Shearwater - Thieves (CD EP, MISRA,
Progressive folk/pop)
Texas-based Shearwater is a band unafraid to take a different approach
to music. Instead of adopting a single style, the folks in this band incorporate
ideas from a variety of sources to create their own unique sound. The five
songs on Thieves range from slow and distant... to somewhat intense
and complicated. The melodies and words are strong...making the band's music
ultimately rewarding. This EP won't blow you away on the first listen...but
will, rather, end up sounding rather great a few days later. Neat reflective
cuts include "I Can't Wait," "Mountain Laurel," and
"There's A Mark Where You Were Breathing." (Rating: 4+++)
Snow
Machine - Snow Machine (CD, Daemon, Pop)
Fantastic piano pop. Snow Machine features the wonderfully melodic
tunes of Katharine McElroy, a young lady whose voice is as smooth
as pudding and as refreshing as newborn bunny rabbits. The tunes on this
album are classic modern pop nuggets that you've never heard before. The
tunes have the same basic overall feel as Ben Fold's music. The music
is simple and direct, allowing the listener to concentrate on the melodies
and lyrics. This stuff is so good that you almost can't help but sing along
on the very first listen. Nine clean pure pop cuts here...including
"Birmingham," "Summer Snow," "Feature Film,"
and "Wrecking Ball." Very refined...and very refreshing.
Recommended. (Rating: 5+)
SubArachnoid
Space - The Red Veil (CD, Strange Attractors, Space rock/psychedelic/instrumental)
God...what a GREAT album. If you've never been exposed to the music
of San Francisco's SubArachnoid Space, now is most DEFINITELY the
time to jump on the bandwagon. The band has been making exceptional mind-expanding
psychedelic/instrumental music for some time now...and they just keep getting
better over time. The Red Veil just may be the band's best body of
work yet. The album features six lengthy, meaty, and totally trippy compositions
that are sure the bend the minds and souls of those who hear them. Most
bands simply plod away in the background making pleasant music that will
be forgotten in a few months. The folks in SubArachnoid Space play aggressive
rock music that pounds with unrelenting energy and takes the listener on
a wild journey that seems to go on forever (!). And journey you will...as
the band's crazy rhythms and incredibly intense electric guitars lift you
up into the sky and beyond. The band's music is highly reminiscent of artists
like Hawkwind and early Steve Hillage. Playing The Red
Veil will take you to heights you may never have experienced before...and
never will again. This album spins like drugs for the mind...and every single
cut is KILLER. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Rating: 6)
Mia Doi Todd - Manzanita (CD, Plug
Research, Soft pop)
The cover of Manzanita is deceptive. Our initial reaction was to
toss this disc based solely upon the cover. Fortunately we were in one our
more "patient" moods...and instead allowed the beautiful music
of Mia Doi Todd to invade our mental space. Ms. Todd's music sounds
something like a cross between Heidi Berry and Joan Baez (much
more the former than the latter). Her songs are thoughtful and understated,
as are her vocals. Manzanita is Mia's fourth album. It features surprisingly
mature and well-arranged moody pop music with a difference. Her songs won't
clobber you over the head but will, instead, slowly creep into your consciousness.
Mia has worked with a whole slew of other notable artists including Beachwood
Sparks and Folk Implosion. Ms. Todd's beautiful, haunting songs
have real staying power...and will stand up to many, many repeated spins.
Top picks: "The Way," "My Room Is White," "Casa
Nova," "I Gave You My Home." (Rating: 4++++)
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage - Ragin' Live (CD, Rounder,
Bluegrass/country)
Ragin' Live presents Rhonda Vincent doing what she does best...belting
it out for a live audience. Recorded in her home state of Missouri, this
album captures all the energy and excitement of Rhonda and her band in concert.
Instead of just churning out familiar material, the band chose to include
8 new never-before-recorded tunes in their 20 song set. The playing is tight
and furious...and you can just feel the energy of the audience. Vincent
is already a red hot new talent...and this album will only heat up the flames
even more. Killer cuts include "Kentucky Borderline," "One
Step Ahead of the Blues," "Son Drop In," and "The Last
Best Place." Great, heartfelt music played with gusto and style...
(Rating: 5+)
The
Waylons - The Waylons EP (Independently
released CD EP, Pop)
Beautifully absorbing guitar pop from Brooklyn, New York's The Waylons.
This six-song EP presents a young band with a real knack for writing great
guitar pop. The tunes are meaningful, sincere, and instantly memorable...and
feature some wonderfully intertwined guitars. The overall sound is timeless
and soothing. The vocals are right on target throughout. Killer tracks include
"To Me," "Stunning," and "Whisky." What more
can we say...? This excellent little EP paves the way for an upcoming full-length,
due out later in 2005. (Rating: 5)
Worldclass - Worldclass (CD, Undependent, Progressive pop)
Uniquely cool progressive pop delivered with exuberance and distinctively
world class style. This New York-based quartet plays unusually well-written
pop music. These guys are no hippie punks. Their tunes are smart and inventive.
Worldclass is the band's first album which was produced and released
by the members themselves. The songs feature complex guitar riffs, precise
rhythms, and excellent vocals. Instead of using familiar formulas, these
fellows prefer to let their songs take them wherever they may. As a result,
there are many wonderfully spontaneous moments to be found here. Considering
how complicated these tunes are, it is rather amazing how catchy many of
the melodies are. This superb collection of tunes clocks in at just under
thirty minutes. The guys in Worldclass have done what many other
bands can only dream of. They have written and recorded a batch of tunes
that is certain to grab hold of folks from the very first spin. Killer cuts
include "Escudos," "Etcetera," "Playing Possum,"
and "Mistuck." Great stuff. (Rating: 5)
Zoo Balls - Who Balls the Zoo Balls? (CD, Bun-Bun, Digital
answering machine)
There's a bunch of little white things that all sing and play together...and
they call themselves Zoo Balls. The balls melt and get pucky and
then get very small. The songs the balls sing are routine and yucky. They
dress like kings and eat three cheeses. And then they tries to whack their
neices. The question is not who balls the Zoo Balls...but who would
want to ball the Zoo Balls...! We don't want to ball nobody...thus,
this disc is a worthless and tidy tradition that gets shoved into the bathroom
cabinet for good. (Rating: 1)
Akron - Family
Angiescreams - Angiescreams
Alan Astor - Everything is possible
Angels of Light - Other people
Avid Cadaver - Sire, you're on fire!
Bear Claw - Find the sun
Bettie Serveert - Attagirl
Bunky - Born to be a motorcycle
Chemical Burn - Three song CD-R
Jimmy Chamberlin Complex - Life begins again
Citified - Citified
Lou DeAdder - Loud
Dig Shovel Dig - Recent works from the most important composers in the universe
(7" vinyl 45)
Emperor X - Central hug / friend army / factal dunes
Alex Gomez - Always never
Susan Hamlin - Younger than the sun
Heartscore - Straight to the brain
Hen House Studios - Anthology 4 - 2004
i - The Nominonivore
InsomniaMIGGs - InsomniaMIGGs
Jimvick Combo - Surfing the web of life
Life in Exile - Life in Exile
Lyrics Born - Same !@#$ different day
Malachai - These sounds of the spirit world
The Mattoid - Eternifinity
The 101 - Green street
Martin Peter - Enough of this?
Pepper's Ghost - Shake the hand that shook the world
Plain White T's - All that we needed
Pretendo - Pretendo
PTI - Blackout
Pushstart Wagon - L.A. was our alamo
Reza Ray - Of the wine
Rat Cat Hogan - We're bicoastal
The Samples - Very best of...
Stratocruiser - Suburban contemporary
Suns of March - Bulletproof heart
This Level Is Clouds - The whir LP
Tiny Idols - Transmissions from the indie underground, 1991-1995
Toast - All in
Brian Travis Band - Past the breakers
Patrick Wolf - Wind in the wires
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