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May 2001 Reviews by
About
E-mails | General Info | LMNOP®
| Official T-Shirts | Order Form | Review
Policies | Subscribe
May 2001 Reviews by
RATING SYSTEM:
= GODDAMN!!!
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOOD
= FAIR
= SHITTY
May 2001 Comment Piece: Celebrity Endorsements
Celebrity endorsements... This is a concept that amazes us for the simple and peculiar reason that they work on so many stupid and feeble-minded people. Celebrity endorsements are always obnoxious...but even MORE so when they are associated with selling a new musical artist. After all...who CARES if Sting (vomit!) or some other obnoxious rock star asshole is pushing some boring new rock band...? Apparently lots of people must care about such dumb bullshit...as the wealth of press releases that cross our desk are living proof. Biography after biography after page after page of people trying to sell a new artist...most often by tagging onto the coat tails of some other more well known "living legend." We here in the lovely yet increasingly obscure babysue offices are impressed first and foremost by talent, style, and the ability to get a point across. What does NOT impress us is...how an artist's latest CD is currently "charting"...what radio stations are playing their music (who the hell CARES?!?), what television shows they have appeared on (yeeeechhhhh...), and what big influential magazine or web site has done a goddamn FEATURE on the artist. Of course, we know that our ideas do not reflect those of the general public... But God oh God how we WISH that they DID...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Absalom
Recordings 3" Series (Limited edition
subscription based 3" CD EP series)
We opted to review this unique label's subscription service rather than
their individual artists because 99.9% of you out there have probably never
heard of the individual artists anyway. Absalom Recordings is a wonderfully
unique Canadian company with a curious mission...to present underground
and unknown artists to a very esoteric audience by means of a subscription
service whereby the purchaser receives cool little 3 inch CD EPs in the
mail, each featuring a new and obscure artist. The best part? At least from
what we've heard thus far, the quality KICKS ASS. The first disc we heard
from The Autumns features wonderfully haunting pop music that is
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You can tell that the band and their producer spent a great deal of time
on the arrangements on this ultimately rewarding collection of tunes. Produced
by Dennis Herring (probably best known for his work with Camper
Van Beethoven), Gravelled and Green sounds GREAT. Not only have
these fellows penned some interesting tunes for this CD, but their execution
(particularly with the vocals) is way above average. From listening to this,
we had a hard time believing that this is a debut disc (?!?). It would take
most bands five or six albums to reach this level of maturity and skill.
These tunes don't smack you over the head, but rather grow on you gradually.
We had to spin this one several times before we came to the conclusion that
it is wonderful. That must surely be the trademark of truly good music...when
it gets better the more you play it (instead of the opposite). Twelve fulfilling
tracks here, including "Yardwork in November," "Halfway House,"
and "The One That Got Away." (Rating: 5)
Bee
Gees - This Is Where
I Came In (CD, Universal,
Pop)
The "energizer" Bee Gees . They just keep on going...and
going...and going...and going... And unlike most bands that keep on going
and going...Australia's Bee Gees remain credible and still have something
viable to offer. We recently obtained remastered CDs of some of their early
material...and we found it to sound just as incredible as it did when it
was originally released. We have always felt that it is unfortunate that
the period that the band is best known for is that horrible Saturday
Night Fever disco phase...eeeeeeeyuchhhhhh! Even though the band
was peaking commercially, artistically they were at their lowest point.
But that didn't last for long, as a couple of years later the band went
back to recording what they record best...pure pop. So now it is 2001...and
what do we have here...? First off, Barry, Robin, and Maurice
Gibb still look great (they always were dashing gents). In addition,
their vocals still sound fantastic. Lastly (and possibly most importantly),
the fellows still know how to write some DAMN good tunes. Oh sure, this
is much slicker and more middle-of-the-road than the band's very early stuff...but
that is to be expected. After all, we can't still expect them to sound the
same now...can we? Maybe, maybe not. But whether the sound is similar or
whether it is not, This Is Where I Came In contains some KILLER tunes.
The first track to really scratch our fancy was "Sacred Trust,"
a completely irresistible upbeat dance tune that is catchy as hell. Also
of note is "Wedding Day," which contains more of the AIDS.GIF j p & GIFfStMl ̡/CO:mw IDS GIF balls.GIF j p & PICTHPDS }:}O:mv ALLS GIF Children.GIF j p & GIFfJVWR
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sincere vocal style and his songs sound slightly familiar (which means we
probably heard a few of these tunes in the past without realizing it). The
disc is divided into two parts. The first six tunes are previously unreleased
recordings from 1968, while the remaining eight cuts were recorded in 1973
(just prior to the recording of the Sefronia album). Buckley's story
is an interesting one...he was a man more interested in the integrity of
his music than selling lots of records. Still relatively obscure in the
big scheme of things, hopefully this disc will make others (like ourselves)
more aware of this talented fellow from the past... (Rating: 5)
Continental Drifters - Better Day (CD, Razor
and Tie, American pop/rock)
Continental Drifters... We've heard the name, but to our knowledge
we had never heard the music until now. Apparently these folks have captured
the imagination of a great many reviewers...and we can now add ourselves
to the list. What impresses us most about this band's music is the extreme
lack of pretentiousness. The music is Americana roots based rock/pop with
a decidedly commercial bend. Considering the overall sound of this band,
we find it most interesting that both Peter Holsapple and Susan
Cowsill belong to the group (the tunes on this CD sound like neither).
The production here is slick, yet appropriate. Continental Drifters music
is so void of attitude and gimmicks that a great many folks may simply fail
to notice it because of the plethora of artists out there in the world.
Make no mistake, however, that these six individuals are providing some
genuine and heartfelt music that will just make you feel GOOD. Our favorite
tracks are "Na Na," "Long Journey Home," and "Where
Does The Time Go?" (Rating: 4)
Alejandro Escovedo - A Man Under the Influence (CD, Bloodshot,
Introspective pop)
This is a very cool and very subtle collection of tunes. While A Man
Under the Influence didn't grab us initially, after three or four spins
we found ourselves helplessly pulled into the music of Alejandro Escovedo.
Mr. Escovedo's music could best be described as the "singer/songwriter"
variety...as melodies and lyrics seem to take precedence in these tunes.
The songs on this disc are haunting, soft, and feature some absolutely stellar...if
not wonderfully subtle...arrangements. The icing on the cake are those sexy
vocals. This fellow comes across sounding sincere, thoughtful, and masculine.
If you're like us, by the time you get to the end of this disc you'll be
caught hook, line, and SINKER. Eleven great tunes, with our top picks being
"Wave," "Rosalie" (wow!), "Don't Need You,"
and "About This Love." Though this disc will probably be reviewed,
discussed, and played mainly in underground circles, in actuality Escovedo's
music has the potential to be very big in a (gasp) commercial sense (and
we mean that in a complimentary fashion). Produced by Chris Stamey
(who was formerly a member of The Beatles). VERY good stuff here...
(Rating: 4++)
Ex Models - Other Mathematics (CD, Ace.Fu,
Rock)
Excellent hard rock with a DIFFERENCE. If you ever dug the jagged charm
of Devo's first album (but hated everything that followed) or if
you got off on very early Gang of Four (before they turned crummy),
then you would do very well to check out New Jersey's Ex Models.
This is one loud band that DOES NOT sound like all the rest. In the world
of hard rock we get very tired of all those generic bands who simply turn
all the way up and then do nothing but slam out power chords for an hour
straight. Oh sure, the idea worked for The Ramones in the 1970s...but
what few people realize is that everyone (unfortunately) cannot "BE"
The Ramones (!). Ex Models use driving rhythms to draw the listener into
their music...but then the yelping/squawking vocals and completely unpredictable
liquid guitars slap you immediately into SUBMISSION. These guys are so much
smarter than your usual hard rockers. In fact, they are probably over the
heads of most folks. Top picks: "It's On Television," "The
Birth of Disneyland," and "The Fun System." Even the lyrics
cook on this baby. This is stuff that you can either dance to or simply
overdose on with your favorite medication. Spastic, chaotic, nervous, and
energetic...this is one HELL of a COOL GODDAMN BAND. (Rating: 5)
Explosion Robinson - The Luxury Leader (CD, Slabco,
Electronic/dance)
Simple and slightly goofy dance music craziness by one man band Stephen
Herman, who was a former member of Sukpatch. There are two kinds
of electronic dance/party music...the kind that we like...and the kind that
we DON'T like. The Luxury Leader comfortably fits in the former category,
as it is almost impossible NOT to love these bouncy and upbeat tunes. By
day, Mr. Herman designs Tommy Hilfiger clothing for children (?!?).
Actually, that isn't so surprising...because if kids could actually get
their hands on this music, they'd probably go APE over it. Bright and happy
stuff by a man who isn't trying too hard (a rarity these days). This is
easily worth a couple of hundred spins... (Rating: 4)
The Fleshtones - Solid Gold Sound (CD, Blood
Red Vinyl & Discs, Rock)
Some bands never give up, although in most cases we wish that they would.
In the case of The Fleshtones, the boat is still chugging along nicely...and
these guys still have whatever it was that made them so appealing back in
the seventies. We're tempted to say that these four gentlemen were playing
garage rock before it became hip, but that would be such a dumb statement
seeing as how garage rock has always been hip and cool (?!?). In any event,
these guys serve their meals up right. The tunes are still basic, straightforward,
and bitchin'. Vocalist Peter Zaremba still has that throaty rasp
thing down. Tunes like "New Song" and "Ten Dollars More"
will more than please the band's devoted fan base... (Rating: 4)
The Frogs (Live performance, April 6, 2001 at The Earl, Atlanta, GA)
Heading off to this show, we weren't sure what to expect from this band
in concert. And after the show was over, we weren't exactly sure what
we had experienced. One strike against the band was thatThe Frogs
made a very small audience wait an hour and a half to hear them play
when they could have very easily started on time. Because we do not
"hang out" in smoky bars, we had to wait outside wasting our time
(which is something we are not crazy about). At long last The Frogs
hit the stage...Jimmy Flemion in his notorious green s /, /,m .. /, /,m IDS GIF /, /,m> OSTER2 GIF 0, 0,m> > @ /5 fO:nqBLACKL~1 blakkeh oo.gif j p & GIFfJVWR : .. :nlBLAKKE~1GIFbsstrips & ? d @ /WO: nkBSSTRIPS
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almost constantly, which we enjoyed very much. They even spit a guitar
pick at us, which was flattering... What was most disappointing about this
show was that The Frogs played but a mere two tunes from Hopskotch Lollipop
Sunday Surprise (and one of those tunes was barely recognizable).
Sure, the band got folks laughing, yelling, and having fun...but for the
most part they failed to play what we consider to be the very best material
they have. But judging from this performance, we would say that these
men are not out to please people nor to perform the material that people
want to hear. Instead, their point seems to be to alienate crowds and do
everything in their power to ensure that they will always be toiling away
in relative obscurity. That in itself is admirable and intriguing...but
it still wasn't a plus in a concert setting. Of course, hearing Jimmy
sing "F*ck Off" solo was more than worth the price of admission
and the wait...as were other tunes he performed alone which showed just
how great a singer and songwriter this man truly is. But judging from
the reaction of the audience, soft contemplative stuff wasn't what they
wanted. Unfortunately, The Frogs will probably never be appreciated
for what they do best...because unless they are willing to compromise, virtually
no one is going to take them seriously (which is most likely exactly what
they want). We personally love the band's "serious" music
so much that we felt slighted that they provided so little of it at this
show. Would it have required all that much effort to play "Bad
Daddy" or "Better Than God"? This concert ranged from
being incredible and unforgettable...to being tedious and tiring. As
a result, we aren't going to rate this...although it was, to say the least,
a very INTERESTING experience (with some real HIGHS and real LOWS...)
that we would not have missed. We would suggest picking up the band's
latest CD. No matter what the band does or does not do in concert, they
more than make up for it with their studio recordings... (Not Rated)
Greasy
Beans - Real Live Music (CD, Double
Ought, Bluegrass)
Ahhhhh...if only ALL artists were as genuine and DIRECT as Asheville, North
Carolina's Greasy Beans. These four guys obviously know exactly what
they are striving for, and even more importantly...they SUCCEED. Real
Live Music is exactly what it proposes to be...five bluegrass musicians
playing direct to tape (using tube microphones) with no overdubs. What makes
this disc even more interesting is that twelve of the thirteen tracks are
originals. How many bluegrass bands can make this claim? No frills...no
gimmicks...no fancy stuff. Just real good toe-tappin' music played from
the heart with gusto and style. If'n ya'll wanna contact them nasty ol'
beans you can e-mail 'em at artfund@earthlink.net or write to 'em
at Double Ought Records, 825-C Merrimon Ave., Box 347, Asheville, NC 28804...or
just click on that goddarn web site linky dink above... (Rating: 4++)
Ken
Ishii - Flatspin (Japanese import CD,
Sony, Electronic/dance)
We had previously experienced the music of Japanese technosuperman Ken
Ishii, so you can bet your granny's doodoo that when this CD arrived
we snapped it into our player IMMEDIATELY. Flatspin is...a FANTASTIC
listen. Full of super heady electronic noodling, this thirteen track disc
will make you want to move and laugh (Ishii's sense of humor definitely
comes through loud and clear on many of these tracks). Just as is the case
in the world of rock music, there are too many people all doing the same
thing with electronics...and most of them tend to merge into one nonexistent
BLUR. The fortunate thing about this social phenomenon is that those who
don't take the standard paths really stand out BIG TIME. Mr. Ishii has been
writing and recording music since the early 1990s, learning new recording
tricks along the way. Flatspin is an amazingly mature and intelligent
creation, and possibly his most impressive album ever. No mindless dance
music here. While the standard dance beats are applied, the completely spaced
out electronics will put you in a mental whirlwind. This is like organic
L.S.D. for the mind as well as the body. Extremely technological in nature,
these tunes still possess a unique individual spirit that is both credible
and incredible. Fave cuts: "Grab It Attack It," "Flatspinning
Loop 1," and the subdued jazzy flavor of "Frozen Reminiscence."
Neat, neat, neat, neat, NEAT. (Rating: 5+)
Jamie
Janover and Michael Masley - All Strings Considered (CD, Realm
Music, Instrumental/Hammered Dulcimer)
Talk about different. It's not every day that we receive CDs featuring nothing
but hammered dulcimers (?!?). The best part is that this CD contains some
wonderfully dreamy instrumental music by two fellows who are intent on once
again enlightening the public on the possibilities inherent in this ancient
stringed instrument. Michael Masley has developed his own unique
way of playing the dulcimer, and his efforts have paid off. He has played
on recordings by Tom Waits, Butch Vig, Ry Cooder, and
more. Jamie Janover has also made some impressive contacts, having
played with Stanley Jordan, Bela Fleck, and others. Together,
these gentlemen play like there's no tomorrow. Some of the tracks on All
Strings Considered are soft and soothing...while others are strangely
fast and furious. Particularly fascinating are the cool resonant tones of
the instrument that come through crystal clear in these recordsings. This
is a wonderful breath of fresh air for us, as we are always on the lookout
for things that are unusual and unique. Eleven tracks, including "Ragasutra,"
"Mnemonic Harmonics," and "Twice Versa." Cool stuff...
(Rating: 4++)
Lady Lady Lady Lady (Whatever we want them to be kind of
things)
Have a little champ full of Lady Lady Lady Lady. Them's four that
you can't seem to keep straight, and what then? Ain't no rhyme nor reason
as to what it's all supposed to reach for anyway. Them kinda fish is what
ain't got no washin' today in the first place. You try spillin' their scales
and tippin' their trunks, and they still lay way down low in the bottom
trying to breathe and keep their lungs clean. It's a poor old pail of worms
that gets caught in the sticky warm truckerload. For the pure strength of
mission, there's nothing better to bend down on and push. String 'em up
low now...and screw them tit clamps on good and tight. This little lady
is good for the night. (Rating: 1)
Last Days of April - Angel Youth (CD, Deep
Elm, Eclectic pop)
Wow. And wow. And...WOW, goddamn it! This is really cool as well as really
different music. When we slammed this baby into our player, the first band
that came to mind was the wonderfully inventive Starlight Mints...although
there are only slight similarities between the two bands. Perhaps the reason
the Mints came to mind is that Sweden's Last Days of April sing very
upbeat and happy tunes that are counterbalanced by some very unorthodox
arrangements. On the first listen, the tune that really bent our minds the
most was "Make Friends With Time," a simple little harpsichord-based
tune that is so damn beautiful...that we had to pause and listen closely
to the lyrics (you can bet yer bottom buttons that don't happen often in
THIS here padded muffin hole). This band doesn't sound like they're from
Sweden...or the United States...or from Great Britain...or anywhere in particular.
They have somewhat of an androgenous sound that is slightly offbeat...and
yet strikingly familiar. Great melodies abound throughout this disc...and
the vocals are to DIE for. This is one of the best new bands we've heard
in some time. Killer tunes like "From Here To Anywhere" (Jesus
Christ!) and "Will the Violins Be Playing?" are unforgettable
gems that make us feel like we are flying through the sky... RECOMMENDED
LISTENING. (Rating: 5++)
Le Duc
- Celebration (CD, Nutone,
Dance/electronic/Middle Eastern)
We've taken a particular fancy to dance music (again) during the past year.
Le Duc has captured our minds and imagination in a rather BIG way.
This band's computer-driven dance music has a great deal more to offer than
most. Certainly the repetitive beats are there (obviously a necessity in
dance music)...but the strange orchestrated layers of sound that the band
casts over the top are mind expanding and wonderful. We particular love
the segments on this disc where the beats drop out altogether and the listener
is left with nothing but spacey sounds (makes one feel as if one is floating
aimlessly). Some tunes have vocals while others are pure instrumentals.
Unlike most dance bands that have one sound and stick with it, the folks
in Le Duc are much more varied. Our initial favorites here are "Paccaya,"
"Kali," "Deus," and "Mission"...but in all
honesty, the entire album kicks our holy souls. This will most certainly
appeal to folks who are into Banco de Gaia and Transglobal Underground.
CoooooooOOOOOOOL stuff! (Rating: 5)
Mark
Lewis - Global Frequencies: Tokyo (CD,
Phatt Phunk, Electronic/dance)
Mark Lewis is originally from South London, where his neighborhood
friends were Carl Cox and Paul Oakenfold (wish we had friends
like that in OUR neighborhood). Lewis has now planted roots in Los Angeles
where he has teamed up with the Phatt Punk label. Their mission? "To
translate the sounds, sights, tastes and possibilities of the amazing locations
a DJ visits." (That's a quote from the press release, natch.) Not a
bad idea...but even better when it is executed so well. In addition to cool
packaging, this disc also includes some lovely photography work in booklet
form by Ray Klein. Klein will be contributing photographs to more
Global Frequencies releases in the future. But jeez...you may ask...what
about the MUSIC? Well, as you might expect, the tracks here are computer
generated dance music. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Lewis seems comfortable
spinning tracks that are quite basic (a good reference point would be DJ
Hooligan's "Eichelruck"). Other artists featured include Alpha
Project, Timo Maas, Base Twelve, and Future Cast.
If you either don't have the money or don't feel like flying around the
world to discover other places and be exposed to some ass whipping music,
this CD series may just be your ticket to enjoying the sights and sounds
of the world in the privacy of your very own living room. And there's nothing
wrong with that...because that's exactly what we'll be using this
disc for... (Rating: 4+)
Linus
of Hollywood - Let Yourself Be Happy
(CD, Franklin Castle/Oglio, Totally pure and happy pop)
If you don't like happy music, you'll want to completely avoid this artist.
Our first reaction was...Linus of Hollywood? What is this, some kind
of a joke band? Not only is this an incredibly upbeat and happy artist,
but you can be quite certain that Linus is no joke...despite the fact that
he does an amazingly pleasant and preppy cover of Ozzy Osbourne's
"Goodbye to Romance" (?!?). To make matters even stranger, Linus
has also been involved in records put out by Smashing Pumpkins, Puff
Daddy, and Lil' Kim. Still confused? We are definitely confused...but
we are also mighty impressed. Being very much into breaking traditional
boundaries regarding who hangs out with who, we can identify with where
Linus of Hollywood is coming from. Why distance yourself from groups on
the other side of the pond when you can merge with them and everyone comes
out ahead? Variety is the spice of life, and this artist is a case in point.
One thing you can almost bet your dandy britches on...folks in "hip
underground circles" are going to HATE this guy. Not because he's not
good...but because his music is so purely and amazingly upbeat, melodic,
and happy. If it weren't for the fact that many of these tunes are actually
quite complicated, we would categorize this as bubblegum music. Here in
this thumpy little rotunda, we like happy bubblegummy stuff just as much
as we like the loud and violent brands. Accordingly, this Linus fellow gets
the thumbs up from us. His songwriting is well above average, his vocals
are as clean as Polident, and the man's got a sense of humor as well. This
one doesn't seem to fit in anywhere...and for that reason alone, we dig
it. (Rating: 4)
LN
- Plum Brook EP (CD EP, Velvet
Blue Music, Pop)
Subtle and abstract heady soft pop. LN is the trio of Gary Murray
(vocals, guitars), Denny Kopp (bass), and Nathan Abel (drums)
who live in Bowling Green, Ohio. The band was originally titled Love
Neptune but later decided to shorten the name (?). The tunes on this
EP are slow, soft, droning, and atmospheric. In a way, these tunes are almost
jazz-like because of the abstract instrumentation. The vocals are as subtle
and odd as the guitars...making each of these tunes something that would
be very easy to fall asleep to. Because we are always so nervous and uptight,
we can certainly appreciate anything that calms us down. This does it. Easy
does it. Does it...easy? Why certainly, dearie... Five tunes. "Le Sabre,"
"Could This Be True?," "Goodbye Rain Song," "L'Avenir,"
and "The Plum Brook Station." Those groovy people at Velvet Blue
Music sure know how to pick 'em... (Rating: 4+)
The
Lucksmiths - Why That Doesn't Surprise Me
(CD, Clover / Drive-In,
Pop)
Intelligent low-key pop music that reminds us of Cinematic (David
Gedge's current band). The Lucksmiths hail from Melbourne, Australia...but
from the sound of this disc you'd swear the band was British (that's not
a cut...we have always admired English style pop). The band writes extremely
melodic yet complicated mellow pop music. Not only are the tunes strong,
but the arrangements are impeccable. This is a very lushly produced CD with
a nice thick sound and wonderfully clear vocals (we can understand almost
every word, which is a feather in this band's hat). Even though this is
an "indie" release, we would bet that with the proper marketing
and promotion this band could become HUGE in the world of commercial music.
These tunes bop along so nicely that before you even realize it you will
find yourself tapping your toesies and humming happily along. Our top fave
here is the slightly strange "Broken Bones," which features some
really clever lyrics. Quite good indeed... (Rating: 4+)
Lunachicks - Babysitters On Acid (CD, Go-Kart,
Rock)
For those who are familiar with Lunachicks, this reissue of the band's
debut album will come as a welcome surprise. For those who have never heard
of the band, Lunachicks are five gals with image and attitude to spare.
Hard to believe that these ladies have been at it now for over a decade.
Hearing the band's first album, it sounds even better the second time around.
The music is stark, loud, snotty, and raw. The Lunachick chicks have always
had a rather masculine sound, but this is particular true on Babysitters
On Acid. Theo's vocals sound particularly nasty. For us, the
lyrics have always been the big draw with this band. So few people seem
to be able to write really good lyrics that are also funny. The lines on
this album remind us very much of early Redd Kross. If you never
picked up on the band, this is an excellent place to start. If you already
know them, well then...you probably already have this then, don't
you? (Rating: 4+)
Masters of Reality - Welcome to the Western Lodge (CD, Spitfire,
Rock/pop)
For some silly reason we were expecting Masters of Reality to be
a heavy metal band. Boy were we wrong, as this band has virtually nothing
in common with the disappointing world of those who are overly loud, usually
drunk, and almost always overweight and hairy. Instead what we have is a
very heady and thickly produced batch of tunes that border on pop...but
they're a bit more adventurous than the term would lead you to believe.
The band is headed by Chris Goss who many may know for his production
work with bands such as Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss.
So, as you might expect, the sound quality KICKS PANCAKE NUTS. But even
more importantly the songs are slightly seductive and creepy and feature
very inventive vocals that suck you in like banana putty. Cool atmospheric
guitars creep around each and every bend, and the rhythm section is superb
(and somewhat unpredictable). If you're looking for catchy material, you
won't find it here. There are no singalong choruses. But if you're looking
for something intelligent and challenging, then you may have just found
your long lost baby. Studio tricks abound throughout, making Welcome
to the Western Lodge a disc that will hold up to many repeated listenings.
This disc reminds us very much of Reeves Gabrels. Damn good stuff.
(Rating: 5)
The Mercury Program - All the Suits Began to Fall Off (CD, Tiger
Style, Instrumental)
Something like a cross between labelmates Tristeza (who we love)
and vibraphone kings The Dylan Group (who we also love), The Mercury
Program play a heady sort of instrumental music that borders on jazz.
There seems to have been an increasingly varied appreciation of music over
the past decade in the world of underground rock and pop. Whereas fans once
grasped one style of music and were loyal until the end, nowadays a great
many folks (including ourselves) appreciate a wide spectrum of musical styles
from the present as well as the past. This sort of mind expansion almost
gives us hope for the human race...but not quite. By its title, All the
Suits Began To Fall Off seems to even suggest this new and more varied
ideal of music appreciation. Though only an EP, there's a lot to love about
this CD. The songs are atmospheric, heady, and just slightly obtuse...and
yet there is also a definite calming quality to the music. This is the sort
of thing that won't clobber you over the head...but if you have the patience
to listen for two, three, or four times...you will be greatly rewarded.
Those damn folks at Tiger Style really have their act together...great
label name, killer tiger logo (who DREW that anyway?), and GREAT music to
boot. We hope we have adequately conveyed the point in this band's music,
as we are most impressed...yes indeedy doo. To make the point concise and
simple...GET IT. (Rating: 5)
Midtown - Save the World, Lose the Girl (CD, Drive-Thru,
Rock/pop)
Loud and fast punchy pop with smart hooks and clever guitars. A lot of people
will probably compare Midtown to Green Day, but the similarities
are actually few and far between. What initially caught our attention about
the four guys in this band is that they look normal. Refreshing...because
virtually every day of the year our mailbox is inundated with photos of
self-conscious freaks. Midtown tunes are reminiscent of California power
pop/punk bands from the 1990s. The songs are very melodic, but they are
also just as powerful. The loud crunchy guitars sound great against the
throbbing bass lines. The vocals are up front in the mix (with lots of harmonies
happening), and in most cases you can understand the words. While some may
immediately mistake Midtown as just another bunch of pretty faces, in actuality
these guys are smart and right on target. Big upbeat fun. Our top picks
here are "Just Rock and Roll," "Another Boy," and "Knew
It All Along." (Rating: 4+)
Monster
Magnet - God Says No (CD, A&M, Hard rock)
Rough rockers Monster Magnet have caught on in a big way with the
music buying public...as well as with those sick faggots in the plush and
hostile offices of the babysue empire (and believe us, them's two
trains what don't hardly NEVER meet one another NO day, NO way). This is
a band that not only has raw and groovy hard rock tunes...but they have
a killer image that compliments the music perfectly. Just as is the case
with Marilyn Manson, the band photographs on the CD inserts (courtesy
of photographer Joseph Cultice) probably have a great deal to do
with this band's popularity (which is not to say that their music isn't
also cool). This band rocks hard and they play loud...but unlike other hard
rock monsters on the horizon, their songs actually have structure and (gasp)
you can even SING ALONG. The tunes on God Says No have some definite
seventies influences...but the overall sound is very modern. All the components
of this band are well above average...from the throbbing rhythms to the
fluid and tripped out guitars...to the terrific vocals of John Kay
lookalike frontman Dave Wyndorf. Cool cock rock for jocks with long
locks and black socks. (Rating: 5)
Moods For Moderns - Loud & Clear (CD, Doghouse,
Rock/pop)
Mmmmmmm...ZESTY! This CD is one big shot of FUN. Big, big, BIG fun.
Cathy, loud, direct, and totally terrific, Moods For Moderns recreate
a sound and style so well that you'd swear this disc was a reissue of some
great material from the mid-1970s that you somehow never heard the first
time around. But don't get 'em wrong...these three boys are very current
and their material is very timely. The band is based in Detroit, but their
sound is different from what you would normally associate with that city.
These gentlemen dispense pure pop ditties with ease and style. The album
was recorded entirely on analog equipment, which may help to explain how
the band got such an authentic 1970s sound. Moods For Moderns have a cool
upbeat bubblegummy sound so uplifting that we haven't had such a positive
pop reaction since we heard the last Pooh Sticks album. (Hey...whatever
happened to the wonderfully under appreciated Pooh Sticks anyway?). If you
ever dug The Raspberries or even the aforementioned Pooh Sticks,
then you're going to want to check out Loud & Clear. This band
takes a wonderfully sincere approach to making music, injecting it with
excitement and energy that is sadly missing in many of today's current acts.
Tracks like "Lust for Luster," Popstar," "Two Tracks
Left," and "So Long Canada" will stick in your head for years
to come... Beautiful packaging completes the picture, making this CD a MUST
HAVE for pop fans worldwide. This is GREAT. (Rating: 5)
The
Multiple Cat - The Golden Apple Hits
(CD, Plow City Record Company, Pop)
With most musical artist it like..."thank GOD they gone now."
But when you' talk to The Multiple Cat...the response is "YES
and HAPPY for RETURN." Happy because is band what for is producing
very genuine wonderful thing from couple of years back. In actual, prior
and several CD still have home in permanent collection. See, Multiple Cat
always obscure and with delight because no one has familiarity with. But
unfamiliar not because of lacking, for Pat Stolley of total remarkable
yet remain to be obscured. All would be taking fame for is some super hip
to suddenly say, "What is Multiple Cat but for being My Number One
Favorite Band of Ever!" And although while we try saying this, those
word of own not hold enough water in big picture for swaying of large number.
But thinking about The Golden Apple Hits. No, is not collection of
what is greatest. Is rather new continuation of most wonderful and rare
Multiple Cat sound...although obvious surprise is to happen all along this
way ("My Country" for this example). Great "who cares"
vocal style that we go crazy about, and many tune for making of excited
response. "Julliet," "Canvassed and Spent," "King
Me." What IS this man for singing about? THIS VERY VERY GOOD THING
YES. Yes, yes, YES. (Rating: 5+)
Nasty and the Haters - We're All Bent Out Of Shape and Confused (Enhanced CD,
Lorto, Tribal)
Ho hum and la dee da. Another band of stupid looking retards spewing out
anger and hate. Though it may be difficult to remember, once upon a time
when a band spewed out intense venom it actually MEANT something. But alas,
that was long ago. And whereas once upon a time it was novel and different,
in these modern times hateful bands are a DIME A DOZEN. Nasty and the
Haters are the lastest dime in the gutter, and they're not even worth
the metal they're printed on. Nasty is a three-butted groaner, prone to
throwing temper tantrums and throwing up on the audience. The backup band
consists of some nameless high school dropouts that Nasty met at an underage
drinking party. Song titles like "I'm Going To Rape Your Banana Windshield"
and "Tore My Hole Out With Your Granny's Rib Cage" do nothing
to stir any emotion whatsoever. Poor Nasty and the Haters. They probably
think they're being very cool and different with all of their tatoos and
body piercings...but in the end, they actually end up looking...and sounding...just
like MILLIONS of others... (Rating: 2)
NatarajXT - Tandava (CD, Nutone,
Dance)
Strange...yet not so strange. The music of NatarajXT (unlike a great
many musical artists of late) can be summed up easily. This band combines
traditional Indian music with electronic dance music. The hybrid is slightly
exotic in nature as well as somewhat of a bizarre mental trip. The group
consists of Rishi on sarod and esraj, Moltram on sitar, and
Kpi on the Rm1x and octapad. To be honest, we're not even sure what
some of these instruments are...? What we find most interesting is how effectively
these three individuals have managed to merge these two distinctly different
styles of music. What ought to sound foreign and awkward sounds about as
natural as warm cow juice in the sunshine (and things don't get much more
natural than that). If you have the same reaction we did to this music,
you will most likely find yourself dancing around the room with the phone
book...trying to decide which Indian restaurant you want to head off to
for dinner. This is cool, creative, and well executed. Readers may want
to take note that Nutone is a new dance label started by the always
pleasing and clever folks at Nettwerk...
(Rating: 4++)
No
Motiv - Diagram For Healing (CD, Vagrant, Power pop/punk)
These guys have come a long way since their inception in 1995. Over the
past few years the band has gained a sizable following and has also played
with many solid acts like Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World, The
Get Up Kids, and others. Diagram For Healing is the most pop-oriented
release that we have heard from No Motiv. Oh now don't go getting
upset that the band has "lost their edge" (God how we HATE that
goddamn phrase!!!). The music is still loud and the guitars are still turned
up all the way...but the tunes on this CD are built around solid melodies.
And the vocals are surprisingly restrained, which actually works in the
band's favor. In all honestly, we prefer the more subtle side of this band's
music. "Broken and Burned" and "Only You," both mid-tempo
tunes, are our favorites on this album...although the entire damn thing
rocks in a rather studious kinda way. Don't be misled by folks who lump
No Motiv in the punk category. This band's music is much too intelligent
and varied to be thrown into the briar patch. Another cool release from
a band that refuses to give up... (Rating: 4)
People With Kids (A directed message)
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids. People With
Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should not have kids.
People With Kids should not have kids. People With Kids should
not have kids. (Rating: 1)
Placebo - Black Market Music (CD, Virgin,
Pop)
Hmmmm... Imagine mixing vocals from the Bee Gees with the songwriting
style of the Chainsaw Kittens...add in the undivided support of David
Bowie...and then blend it all together with abstract guitars from the
twenty-first century. What do you get? Well...you get a band that is becoming
very successful in terms of units sold (at least). Actually, there are some
rather engaging tunes on Black Market Music...and the band is obviously
at their best when they do mid-tempo stuff. The more aggressive, loud tunes
tend to sound somewhat awkward and forced (although perhaps that is the
point...?). As much as we love the Bee Gees, the biggest problem we have
with this band are the vocals. The singer's voice isn't bad...but it just
does nothing to draw us into the music. This is a band with potential, and
they've obviously already garnered a great deal of attention doing things
their way. (And besides...who are we to be telling others what to do? Our
top favorite bands are usually the ones who seem to flop on all commercial
levels.) So perhaps we should just shut up and say that this is light but
listenable stuff... (Rating: 3+)
Joey Ramone (Tribute to the world's most unlikely rock star)
We haven't been this bummed by a rock star's death since the death of Marc
Bolan. The Ramones will always be at the top of our list of favorite
bands. Who could ever forget Joey Ramone adopting that awkward backward-knees
stance center stage at a Ramones concert and then proceed to yelp out lyrics
promoting child abuse, drug abuse, and spouse abuse? Never has there been
or will there be a more unlikely candidate for the position of rock star.
The odd part was that even though Joey sang about such odd topics, one always
had the feeling that he was actually a genuinely nice and cool guy who just
happened to have an odd sense of humor. Sure, the band lost their center
of gravity as years went by...and sure, the last few albums weren't so good...but
in their prime, there was no band on the planet that could match the pure
intensity of The Ramones (particularly the Leave Home and Rocket
To Russia tours...we highly recommend the Ramones Alive album,
currently available as a British import CD). And so...hats off to you Joey.
Thank you for making us laugh, scream, and go completely nuts on so many
occasions... (Rating: 6)
Heidi Saperstein - The Devil I Once Knew (CD, Kimchee,
Pop)
Possessing slight similarities to a wide range of other artists...and yet
not sounding quite like any other...Heidi Saperstein is approaching
music from her own cool perspective. Prior to her solo career, Ms. Saperstein
was the singer/guitarist in the Boston band Shiva Speedway (a band
we were not familiar with). The songs on The Devil I Once Knew go
all over the place. Some tunes are fairly straightforward pop while others
have a slight skewed quality that give the listener the feeling that something
awkward is going on behind the scenes. Heidi has a vocal style that could
very easily be applied to the commercial world of computer generated digital
crap that the public seems so hungry for these days. But instead of going
the easy route and giving the morons what they want, this young lady is
opting to provide music that requires more effort from her listeners. (We
always love it when an artist could easily alter their sound to gain more
listeners but instead chooses artistic integrity over commercial success.)
A word of caution. This disc takes a few listens to sink in, so don't expect
to be blown away immediately. With a little patience, however, you will
find that there are lots of cool and inviting tracks here. "Away,"
"Lady Killer," and "The Night" are tops with us. Great
stuff. (Rating: 4+)
Silver
Scooter (Live performance
at the Forty Watt Club in Athens, GA, April 14, 2001)
If there is one CD that has really made an impression on us this year, it
most surely is The Blue Law by Austin's Silver Scooter.
While we would normally never drive to another city just to hear a band
play, when we heard that the band's latest tour did not include Atlanta
(smart decision...Atlanta SUCKS), we packed up our patio furniture and headed
off to Athens to see the band play. Because Athens is a college town
and it was Easter weekend, most students had left for the weekend (which
was a plus for us since we hate crowds). We ran into the four band
members outside the club before the show and found them to be genuine, friendly,
and polite (note that they displayed these traits BEFORE we told them that
we were writers...a BIG PLUS for Silver Scooter!). Fortunate for us,
the majority of this show consisted of material from The Blue Law...which
was just what we were hoping for. The band line up for this tour was
Scott Garred (vocals/guitar), Shaun Camp (keyboards/guitar),
Tyler Mallory (bass), and Tom Hudson (drums). (Shaun
and Tyler also play in another band called The
Bright and Hollow Sky which is stylistically similar to SS.)
Seeing the band play their material live, it became obvious to us that the
new songs aren't quite as simple as they sound on the CD. There are
a great many slight twists and turns in the band's material that is probably
anything but simple to play, particularly in a concert setting where it
isn't always easy to hear what one is playing. As the band played on,
more and more folks made their way into the club and to the front of the
stage. By mid-show, there was a decent-sized crowd who seemed pleasantly
mesmerized by the band's haunting and beautiful tunes. For us, the
highlight of this particular show was the slow and succinct "Dirty
Little Bar," a tune that seemed particularly fitting on this particular
evening. In our humble opinion, there are few bands out there right
now who can match the pure melodic highs of Silver Scooter. This show
was easily the highlight of April 2001 for us, and we felt lucky indeed
that we were able to witness this particular event... (Rating: 5+)
David Singer - The Cost of Living (CD, Deep
Elm, Experimental pop)
Unpretentious music from an unpretentious one man band. David Singer
played and sang virtually every track on The Cost of Living (although
a few friends did lend a hand or two). But what we find most interesting
is that this doesn't sound anything like one man bands usually do. This
could be because instead of overdubbing everything to death (as one would
expect), Mr. Singer leaves tons of wide open space in his tunes. His songs
are very honest. David's voice ranges from extremely soft and plaintive
to somewhat of an aching yelp. Overall, this album is so subtle and understated
that it is likely to go unrecognized by most folks. Unfortunate, as there
is something about the undercurrents of this music that we find both arresting
and bewitching. We can't really come up with any comparisons for this one.
Our top faves here are "The Accident," "I Need To Be Able
To See You," and "Madonna Complex." Very different, yet very
pleasing... (Rating: 5)
Super
Model - It Ain't Pretty (CD, Magic City, Pure pop)
Clean, loud, melodic, energetic, and extremely hummable punchy pop. We're
honestly not sure if it is this particular band that is affecting us this
week...or if we're just in such a fantastic frame of mind that almost everything
sounds good...?!? But in any case, after giving Super Model a few
spins we finally decided...that we LOVE it. Oh sure, on the first or second
listen we were thinking "Oh no...not ANOTHER upbeat and hummable POP
BAND!" But you know, you have to attempt to have an open mind...particularly
when you're being hit with thousands and thousands of new bands each year.
And as most of us already realize, there are so many great acts nowadays
that there is really no way to take them all in. But back to It Ain't
Pretty. Well, they may call it that...but this here is one damn PRETTY
collection of tunes. Our favorites include "The Drink Song," "Do
You Believe?," "Caitlin," and "Timmy Dugan" (this
last track absolutely ROCKS our SOCKS off). This band's music has a super
killer bubblegummy feel to it that is MOST appealing...and addicting. Excellent
soaring vocals throughout. Recommended. (Rating: 4++)
Theselah - No Sleep, More Fun (CD, K.O.A.,
Pop/rock)
This is a very different sounding CD for a variety reasons. It is also difficult
to describe. Theselah is a four piece New York-based band that is
not taking a conventional approach to making music. The songs on No Sleep,
More Fun were all recorded on a four-track cassette deck. Considering
this fact, the recording quality of this CD is not only impressive...but
appropriate as well. The band's soft pensive vocal tracks are particularly
appealing, and blow us away both in terms of melodies as well as lyrics.
The understated beauty of tracks like "Nothing Special," "Lazy
Dresser," and "Little Song To Self" are extremely subtle.
Other tracks are somewhat experimental instrumentals that are interesting...but
not nearly as intriguing as the band's soft vocal material. The louder stuff
("Take It Fast or Take It Slow," "Anthem of K.O.A.")
seems almost out of place here, unless the idea was to add variety (?).
In any case, despite the fact that this disc contains hits and misses...we
still recommend it because the hits are great little obscure gems that will
most likely slip through everyone's hands (except yours, supposing you get
your hands on a copy). If this band can latch onto the best aspects of their
music and focus on them, they could easily score a higher rating in this
campground with their next release. An obscure oddity that you'll probably
NEVER find in stores, so we suggest visiting the label's web site (link
above). (Rating: 4)
Toothless Tina (Poor old homeless bitch)
Walk, walk, walk on down the sidewalk. Just mind your own business and enjoy
the sunshine. Then out from under the side of a cardboard swag comes that
torn up old nothing, Toothless Tina. There ain't no bar of soap on
the planet what can clean up a mess like hers is, so she just goes on about
trailing her stink in and out of anyone's point of view. With a dress that
could frighten game show hosts, Tina tinkers back and forth, back and forth...barely
able to stand up at times and always thirsty for something. The only thing
nice about Tina is that she is good to kick. You can kick her hard and you
can kick her silly, you can kick her ribs in, and you can kick her willy.
Teeth come first, and without them...nuthin' ain't nuthin. (Rating: 2)
John
Vanderslice - Time Travel Is Lonely
(CD, Barsuk, Pop)
Some folks may remember John Vanderslice as a member of the band
MK Ultra. We did not, although we certainly dig the band name. Even
though this is his second solo release, this disc serves as our introduction
to the music of Mr. Vanderslice. This guy is damn GOOD. His vocals and his
style of songwriting remind us of David Bowie and Guided By Voices
(more the former than the latter, although his overall sound isn't that
familiar to either). The songs are basically pop music, but there are odd
little audio snippets zipping in and out of the speakers that keep them
from sounding normal or familiar. This is a disc that we're going to have
to play many, many times to fully appreciate and "catch" all the
intricacies and nuances. Our top favorite here is "Emma Pearl"...although
we haven't quite "gotten" what the lyrics mean. Another keeper
in this camp is "Gainesville, Fla" (probably the most Bowie-influenced).
This guys is not only good...he's approaching things from his own distinct
viewpoint...and he has his own unique sound. IMPRESSIVE. (Rating: 5)
Violet Indiana - Roulette (CD, Instinct/Bella
Union, Atmostpheric pop)
Violet Indiana is the duo of Robin Guthrie and Siobhan
de Mare. Mr. Guthrie has worked with an amazing array of artists in
the past, including the Cocteau Twins, Wolfgang Press, Harold
Budd, Frente, and more. Ms. de Mare was previously in another
band called Mono. The combined talents of these two combine to create
heavily produced, thick, atmospheric pop soundscapes. The tunes on Roulette
are heavy on overdubs, but what makes the tunes really cook are the vocals.
Ms. de Mare has a nice heavenly way of turning a tune that is most inviting.
Add the impressive production courtesy of Mr. Guthrie and you have soft,
heady pop music that is not all that unlike the previously mentioned Cocteau
Twins. Our favorite compositions are "Air Kissing," "Sundance"
(top pick), and "Killer Eyes." In addition to twelve neat tracks,
this disc also contains a video of "Purr La Perla." Neat stuff,
very well executed... (Rating: 4++)
The
Weisstronauts - Featuring "Jaunty"
(CD, Stereorrific, Instrumental)
Absolutely and thoroughly entertaining.This is the debut full-length release
from The Weisstronauts...and we are proud to report that it is a
MINDBLOWER. If you were ever keen on guitar instrumentals, then this is
the new band that you are going to LOVE. Instead of sticking to one particular
genre of music, these five folks instead opt to whiz all over the place...playing
whatever strikes their fancy. The music has a nice simple open sound that
one would normally associate with music from the 1950s. Melodies are key
in this campground, and the guitar playing is about as sharp and sassy as
two dozen woodchuckers in Texas. The cool toe tapping rhythms are certain
to put you in a good mood, and that seems to be the main point here. In
all honesty, there ain't a loser in the bunch here...but our own particular
favorites are "Mornin' Ma," the title track, "Psychedelic
Whiplash" (this one's SUPER!), and "Topaz." Totally KILLER
stuff by a band that is anything BUT pretentious. We're always on a search
for the sincere and genuine...and in this case, that hits the nail on the
head. Extremely great music to drive by...YES!!! (Rating: 5+)
Rosa Chance Well - Rosa Chance Well (CD, Kimchee,
Pop)
Mmmmmm...tasty. Mighty tasty stuff. As much as we have tried, we cannot
come up with any appropriate comparisons. Rosa Chance Well is the
duo of Vanessa Downing (formerly a member of The Wicked Farleys)
and Dean Taormina. The duo possesses a great many traits that are
usually absent in modern pop acts. Specifically we find these elements to
be (1) a wonderful sense of melody, (2) great lyrics, (3) superb vocals,
and (4) an admirable lack of restraint. Regarding element #4, we have become
oh-so-tired indeed of all the unnecessarily overproduced crap that comes
down the pipeline lately. And it is always so obvious to us that all the
overproduction is usually to hide the fact that there is nothing inside.
There is a hearty meatball to be found hiding inside the juicy red center
of Rosa Chance Well. And if you are industrious enough to obtain a copy
of the CD and give it a spin you will see just what we mean. These folks
are genuinely and truly talented. But what makes them even more engaging
is the fact that they aren't trying too hard (another common stumbling block
for many new artists). Fabulous tunes like "A Wonderful Life"
and "And So Then Were We" make this disc a fantastic listen. Most
intriguing. (Rating: 5)
Wellwater Conspiracy - The Scroll and Its Combinations (CD, TVT,
Rock/pop)
TVT hits the jackpot...for the second time in 2001 (!). The latest Guided
By Voices was their first score...and now comes the SECOND HOME RUN.
We were already impressed by the first two CDs from Wellwater Conspiracy...but
they didn't really prepare us for this. The band has really gotten tight
and focused their style...to the point that they are now quite accessible
and (gasp) even marketable (usually a crummy word in this
office suite). We're not even going to bother to mention that the band features
former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and Monster Magnet
founding member John McBain...because there is no reason why you
would need to know this information anyway. And besides...the band's music
sounds like NEITHER ONE ANYWAY. This whole CD is one meaty chunk of munchy
nuggets...but the more obtuse and spacey tracks are the best ("What
Becomes of the Clock" is our top pick). Production is top notch, as
is the songwriting overall. This is an extremely satisfying and unique CD
from a band that just keeps getting BETTER... (Rating: 5+)
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