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April 2004 Reviews by
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April 2004 Reviews by
RATING SYSTEM:
= GODDAMN!!!
= EXCELLENT
= VERY GOOD
= GOOD
= FAIR
= SHITTY
April 2004 Comment
Piece:
The Grotesque Nature of Big Cities
Funny how people idolize and worship big cities, isn't it? We must admit that when we were younger we, too, fell for the familiar trappings. We remember once marveling at skyscrapers...thinking how exciting it was to be around so many people in one place...having so many restaurants, stores, and clubs to choose from...but that was long, long ago. As we began to open our eyes wider over the years we finally came to realize that big cities are anything but beautiful. They are nothing more than hideous filth ruining the true landscapes of the world. The true beauty of the world lies in its natural surroundings...NOT in the pathetic creations man has strewn about in his never ending attempt to dominate everything around him. Let us now consider a partial list of what is BEAUTIFUL...and what is truly UGLY:
THINGS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL
The Sky
Water
Trees
Animals
Plants
Rocks
Other Planets
THINGS THAT ARE UGLY
Roads
Art
Skyscrapers
Manmade Parks
Shopping Centers
Subdivisions
Mansions
People
Now...you may very well be saying to yourself something stupid like "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If so, discard that dumb thought IMMEDIATELY. Beauty is whatever WE decide it is...and if you think differently, then you are AN IDIOT SCUM SUCKER. If you don't like being wrong, then you should consider changing the way you think. What does it feel like being retarded? That's easy. It feels like just like US do. You and us has one thing in common though. We is both total RETARDS. (And don't you go thinking we can't use right sounding words. We CAN, we just ain't WANTING to.)
Askeleton - Angry Album -or- Psychic Songs (CD, Goodnight,
Obtuse pop)
The world is so full of so-so artists and folks with no imagination...it's
no wonder an act like Askeleton stands out like a difficult thumb-like
thing. Of course the world is also full of so-so artists with so
much imagination that their creativity virtually renders their music unlistenable...and
that is even worse. While the folks in Askeleton display a healthy imagination,
they have enough common sense to temper their creativity with restraint...coming
up with tunes that are not only unique, but also quite easy on the ears.
After spinning Angry Album -or- Psychic Songs a few times, we found
that we simply could not force ourselves to take it out of the player.
This band's music is addictive in a very surreal sort of way. The obtuse
pop tunes are not only hummable...but also extremely catchy. We don't hear
many bands with a sound as distinct as these folks. Superb cuts include
"Queenie," "Ghosts," "Your Big Mouth Will Get You
In Trouble," and "A Secret." Great stuff...! (Rating: 5+++)
Astropop
3 - Allies and Stepping Stones (CD,
Planting Seeds, Fuzzy
pop)
Using only the bare essentials to get their point across, the folks in Astropop
3 seem to get along just fine without using excessive overdubs, busy
arrangements, and dumb studio tricks. The band's simple and direct approach
works...making their hummable pop both memorable and unique. And without
unnecessary clutter getting in the way, the listener is apt to take note
of just how good the band's melodies really are. The band consists of Dan
Villanueva, Keith Vanetta, Wendell Nicholes, and Angelique
Everett. Villanueva, the main songwriter, has a great knack for writing
smooth melodies and his vocals are perfectly suited for indie pop. Ten collectible
cuts including "Forget Tomorrow," "Fade On Your Own,"
and "Bubble Gum Breakup." Good stuff! (Rating: 4+++)
Badawi - Clones and False Prophets (CD, ROIR,
Electronic/dub/world)
Thick and extremely mental electronic music for the body. Band leader/creator
Raz Mesinai's music combines elements from a wild variety of sources,
giving his listeners plenty of food for thought. Clones and False Prophets
is a highly produced endeavor, with many cuts featuring a mind-boggling
display of technology. Middle Eastern sounds collide with dub beats and
classical influences...creating a confusing and somewhat dreamy sound that
is difficult to describe. Mesinai seems obsessed with arrangements, seemingly
tweaking and mixing his music to infinity and beyond. Interestingly, some
of these cuts even harken back to the progressive acid music of the 1970s
(some of the guitar work would make Steve Hillage proud). Badawi
is a clever jolt of smart electronics. Choice cuts include "Enter the
Tom Raider" and "The Circle." Amazing stuff. (Rating: 5)
The
Beeps - Music for Awkward Situations
(CD, Ilegalia, Pop)
The Beeps are a seven piece outfit from New York City: six guys and
one platinum blond female vocalist. The band's music sounds something like
a combination of lounge music and British pop...somewhat reminiscent of
the band Ivy. The band has garnered a good bit of attention based
on the attention their tune "Tell Me" has received on the garageband.com web site. Music
for Awkward Situations has some great tracks on it. "Wonderland"
and the previously mentioned "Tell Me" are obvious standouts.
But the album suffers from some lesser material ("Surf's Up!",
"The Jesus Song")...making the disc an uneven listen. Thus, if
you don't mind skipping a few tracks, you'll find some great stuff in the
cracks here. With a bit of fine tuning, these folks would be capable of
coming up with a really kickass album next go 'round... (Rating: 4++)
Ceiling
Fan - Hot Streets (CD, Imperial
Fuzz, Pop/rock)
How many cool bands can co-exist in one small city....? That may be impossible
to determine, but we have found Athens, Georgia to be one of the greatest
hotbeds of talent in the world over the past decade or so. Gone are the
days when ho-hum bands in the 1980s gave the city a bad reputation. Those
deadend bands have now been replaced by some truly credible and incredible
artists that seem to sprout from the woodwork like smooth mother ducklings.
Ceiling Fan is a great little power trio with a decidedly cool sense
of humor. The band's songs are direct, punchy, to-the-point, and extraordinarily
catchy. The tunes on Hot Streets are simply infectious...delivered
with taste, integrity, and style. These three guys aren't trying to be different.
Instead, they simply play and sing pure pop the way they know it ought
to be played. Cool steady rhythms support some absolutely killer guitar
licks. Upbeat fun numbers include "Get Shallow," "Grow Up,"
"Kill This Bug For Me," and "Dog With Flea." Recommended.
(Rating: 5+)
Kilowatthours & The Rum Diary - Killowatthours & The Rum Diary (Split CD, Springman, Progressive pop)
Killowatthours & The Rum Diary is a different sort of split CD
featuring, of course, the bands Killowatthours and The Rum Diary.
The disc is a sort of East meets West experience, as Kilowatthours is an
up and coming progressive pop band from the East (Brooklyn) and The Rum
Diary is an up and coming progressive pop band from the West (Cotati, CA).
What is most unusual about this disc is the sequence of the tunes. Instead
of the first half being by one band and the second half by the other, the
songs are all blended together nicely...with one tune ("(Ex)Change")
even featuring both. Considering the sequence of the tracks, it is amazing
indeed that this disc flows so well. This could be due to the fact that
both bands obviously share a similar state of mind. Neither band plays commonplace
predictable music...preferring instead to execute their own heady brand
of complex pop in a highly stylized manner. The question that may plague
many listeners is...which band is best? In this particular instance, that
might be difficult to determine...as both deliver quality material that
holds up to many repeated spins. Cool cuts include "Letting Go,"
"The Electroencephalograph," "Halos," and "In Attempt
To Reach the Shore." (Rating: 5)
Bill Laswell - ROIR Dub Sessions (CD, ROIR,
Dub/electronic)
This is not a new album, but rather a collection of tracks from Bill
Laswell albums that have thus far been released on the ROIR label. As
such, Laswell fans are most likely already familiar with these juicy tracks.
But for the uninitiated, ROIR Dub Sessions is a tasty trip into the
mind of the King of Dub. The album features four lengthy cuts: "Dread
Iternal," "Thunupa," "Cybotron," and "Ethiopia/The
Lower Ground." If you're not familiar with Laswell's music, this disc
serves as an excellent introduction. To our knowledge, Bill has never released
anything that is less than exceptionally mind expanding. (Rating: 5+++)
Manual
with Jess Kahr - The North Shore (CD, Darla, Ambient)
Wonderfully smooth, calming, and clear ambient mood music. Like some of
Eno's more obtuse ambient albums, The North Shore can either
be listened to...or played in the background as a sedative. Manual
(Jonas Munk Jensen) teamed up with collaborator Jess Kahr
to record an album that is as soothing as a mountain stream or ocean waves.
There are no rhythms...no lyrics...no conventional instruments...only cool,
serene, and meticulously crafted subtle sounds. This music is to be absorbed
and taken internally...like medicine. Beautiful music...that breezes by...like
cool organic waves... (Rating: 5)
The
Means - The Divine Right of Means (CD,
Doubleplusgood,
Rock)
Columbus, Ohio's The Means follow up their debut album (Vil/Viol)
with an even stronger release. Recorded on and off during 2002 and 2003,
The Divine Right of Means is a heavy dose of smart and intense rock.
While the band's harsh assault may initially sound like a thousand others,
upon closer inspection it becomes clear that these guys are playing some
rather complicated and unusual material. And while the vocalist is a screamer
(and man, what a screamer he is), he actually manages to carry a
tune while tearing his vocal chords to shreds. In addition to the loud stuff,
The Means also include some unexpected twists this time around...most notably
the unnamed seventh track...which has a spooky, moody sound (musically not
unlike The Residents). Obviously destined for obscurity, The Means
are playing for a small, select crowd. Most folks will hate 'em...but their
diehard fans will most likely remain loyal for many years to come. Strange
out-of-control rockers include "Dear Hendrie," "Australians,"
and "Campaign Blvd." (Rating: 5)
Decomposure - Taking Things Apart (CD, Unschooled,
Electronic/experimental)
Decomposure is a different kind of electronic entity. Rather than
taking the usual approach of deadening the listener's senses with minute
after minute of repetitive movements...the approach here is to keep repetition
to a minimum...while challenging the listener with familiar and unfamiliar
sounds. Sound confusing? It is. The music of Caleb Mueller
(the man who is Decomposure) is mostly unstructured and follows no familiar
paths. His creative approach is reminiscent of bands like PanSonic
without being derivative. Mueller seems quite fond of cutting and pasting
sounds together in random order...but doing so in such a way that it actually
seems to makes sense. This man is playing for a very small audience. Most
folks will probably want to tune his music out because it sounds so unfamiliar.
Taking risks is a very important thing, however, and as a result Taking
Things Apart succeeds. This strangely compelling album isn't likely
to sell that many copies...but the reviews are bound to be entertaining.
An exceptional cut is the heavenly "Piano/Toy Electronic Drumsticks,"
which effectively combines the abrasive with the serene. (Rating: 4+++)
Doro
- Fur Immer (Double DVD, SPV
USA, Live concert/rock)
This double DVD features hard rocking beauty queen Doro and her associates
rocking out BIG TIME for a theater full of enthusiastic fans in Germany
(two entire concerts)...plus extra footage and twelve of Doro's studio videos.
Doro and company are serious head slingers...but their act isn't a mere
act or gimmick. Doro's band plays with intense precision...hammering out
her tunes with exacting ferocity...while Doro pleases the fans with her
masculine persona and intensely platinum hair. This lady is much more than
just a pretty face. She is truly magnetic...igniting the stage with her
presence. Doro truly knows how to get an audience worked up. By mid concert,
she literally has her fans bashing to the music in a sweaty writhing ball
of excitement. The studio videos on these discs are entertaining...but they
don't come near to the intensity of the band in concert. This lady is no
diva, as is evidenced by the documentary. Doro comes across as just one
of the guys. Doro fans will go APE over this double DVD set. Folks who have
never experienced the real thing...will find this to be a curious introduction
to one of the true female legends of hard rock. Fans of Judas Priest
should find this particularly appealing. The audio and video quality of
the concert footage is fantastic. (Rating: 5)
Guys With Nose Rings (Goddamn Poem Kind of Thing)
Guys with nose rings are
Terrible things.
Thinking they are unique
They strut around like freaks...
Making sensible adults
Shudder in disgust.Guys with nose rings are
Manipulated like strings.
Thinking they are exceptional
They all really look identical...
Instead of showing their masculinity
In reality they display
Their faggot sensibilities.Guys with nose rings are just like
Girls with nose rings are just like
Guys with nose rings are just like
Girls with nose rings.
They're all scum sucking generic freaks.
Jem - Finally Woken (CD, ATO
/ BMG, Pop)
Jem Griffiths is one of the most unique voices in modern pop. Although
much has been made of the fact that Madonna recorded one of her tunes...in
reality, Ms. Griffiths has even more to offer the world than the material
girl herself. Jem has a voice that is so smooth and inviting that virtually
everything she sings sounds absolutely perfect. Unlike Madonna (who is to
be greatly admired as an individual and as a marketing genius), Jem is a
truly gifted artist whose music has depth, substance, and a truly unique
flair. Above all, however, Ms. Griffiths (along with her songwriting partners)
writes absolutely magnetic and magnificent pop tunes that feature gliding
melodies, intriguing arrangements, and an overall spectacular vibe. In addition
to five tracks that were featured on her last EP (It All Starts Here...),
Finally Woken presents six additional juicy cuts. It is rare indeed
when an artist comes along whose music has artistic integrity and
has the potential to appeal to a large audience. Smooth modern pop doesn't
get much better than this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Rating: 6++)
Miles_Gurtu - Miles_Gurtu (CD, Shakti,
Moody instrumental modern jazz)
Miles_Gurtu is the collaborative effort consisting of Robert Miles
and Trilok Gurtu. The album is a wonderfully dreamy trip into the
world of modern electronic jazz. The compositions float by like clouds...presenting
a variety of moods and emotions along the way. Miles and Gurtu enlisted
the support of some top notch players here...including Jon Thorne,
Mike Patto, Nitin Sawhney, and more. Miles handles keys, sounds,
and production while Gurtu displays a most impressive command of various
percussion instruments. The production on this album is flawless. While
the overall sound is slick and well produced, the compositions are not overproduced.
A great deal of space was intentionally left in these pieces...allowing
the listener to be able to grasp exactly what is going on in most cases.
Sultry, seductive, calming, and slightly trippy...the tunes on Miles_Gurtu
offer proof that these two artists (and their associates) are perfectly
suited for each other. Excellent. (Rating: 5+)
Mus
- Divina Lluz (CD, Darla,
Soft pop)
True to the claim of the press release that accompanied this disc, Divina
Lluz truly is the best release yet from Spain's Mus. Considering
the quality of the duo's previous releases, that is really saying
something. Fran Gayo and Monica Vacas have a distinct and
identifiable sound. Their music is moody and subtle...yet strangely powerful
despite their soft and subdued approach. Most of the lyrics on Divina
Lluz (translated as "Divine Light") are sung in Asturian,
an exotic language spoken in the northwestern part of Spain. Gayo and Vacas
write tunes that are very personal, very moving, and very effective in terms
of communication. Some great guest artists lend their talents to the proceedings,
including Iker Gonzalez, Manuel Molina, Pedro Vigil,
and Jose Luis Garcia. Because we don't comprehend Spanish, we have
no idea what most of these tracks are about. But when tunes are delivered
with this much class and passion...who cares? Mus continue to entertain
and amaze their listeners with their confidence and sheer command over their
music. Divina Lluz is a classic. Highly recommended. (Rating: 5+++)
New Radiant Storm King - Leftover Blues 1991-2003 (CD, Contraphonic,
Pop/rock)
While big time fame seemed to allude New Radiant Storm King during
their twelve year career, they still managed to garner a rather intense
and dedicated fan base along the way. Leftover Blues 1991-2003 presents
lost singles, hidden tracks, alternative takes, and b-sides from the band's
illustrious career. As such, it provides ample evidence that this band should
have made it to the major leagues. These tunes present a duo with a hefty
imagination that--combined with a great ability to write superb melodies--was
able to record memorable tunes that weather the test of time. Matt Hunter
and Peyton Pinkerton's tunes are uniquely different in subtle ways.
While the songs have punch, they also possess definite threads of humanity
and real emotion. Their music transcended the genre in which it was created,
giving their fans and listeners some very meaty treats to munch on. This
rarities collection is unique in that it does not present "junk"...but
rather collects some wonderful treasures that just happened to get lost
along the way. Cool cuts include "Quicksand Under Carpet," "Mercy,"
"Untenable," and "Phonecall." Excellent. (Rating: 5+)
Salim
Nourallah - Polaroid (CD, Western Vinyl, Soft pop)
Possibly the most talented pair of musical brothers on earth, Faris
and Salim Nourallah are most definitely two of the most gifted songwriters
around. They began as The Nourallah Brothers and have now each begun
solo careers. Both brothers write classic soft pop that harkens back to
the golden era of bands like The Beatles and The Kinks...without
ever sounding too much like either. It would be impossible to pick a favorite,
because both Faris and Salim are so exceptional and original...that comparisons
are not even necessary. Polaroid is an exercise in subtle melodic
pop music. The tunes are simple...featuring sparse arrangements...and sporting
vocals that are absolutely out of this world. The beauty of this
music is that you don't get it immediately. Instead of clobbering you over
the head, Salim's music has wonderful, distinct qualities that only become
apparent after many repeated spins. In an era where so many artists rely
on technology and gimmicks, it is truly refreshing to hear someone like
Salim...whose tunes are so genuinely and sincerely tasteful and real that
the listener falls helplessly in love with the music. Killer cuts include
"Everybody Wants To Be Loved," "Nothing Ever Goes Right,"
"A Family Disease," and "Christmas Eve." Fantastic and
addictive. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (Rating: 6+)
Pagoda
- Dearly Departed (CD, Lazyline
Media, Soft progressive pop)
If you're looking for a quick fix, this is not the band for you. If you
have some patience, however, you will be deeply rewarded by the music of
Washington, D.C.'s Pagoda. Dearly Departed is a wonderfully
varied experience...featuring strange progressive pop music that is subtle
and full of unusual arrangements. Coming up with influences and comparisons
is difficult, as these fellows' music stands squarely on its own as a unique
entity. One thing is certain...the more you listen to this album...the more
you get out of it. With so many albums, the exact opposite is true...you
listen a few times and then you're bored. With the music of Pagoda, the
more you spin it...the more you dig it. Highly effective tracks include
"Cajun Prairie," "Ham On White," "Mesa Verde,"
and "Paper Fingers." Consistent...and rather excellent indeed...
(Rating: 5+)
Pleasant Grove - The Art of Leaving (CD, Badman,
Progressive pop)
Texas-based Pleasant Grove play an organic brand of easy going rock
music that is soothing to the mind and the ears. After spinning The Art
of Leaving over a dozen times...we are still somewhat confused about
this band. Some of the tunes on this album are absolutely absorbing and
incredible...but there are a few throwaway tunes shuffled into the deck.
When these guys are good, however, they are really, REALLY good...so it
makes it easy to put up with a few clunkers. In the "keepers"
stack are "Elaborate Man," "Calculated Approaches,"
and "Commander Whatever" (this, the last track, is incredible).
In the throwaway stack are some so-so tunes like "Impossible"
and "Tug of War (Twenty Arms)." With a bit of fine tuning, these
would be capable of turning out a magnificent album. With the ups and downs
of this collection, we'd still recommend it...as long as you don't mind
skipping around a bit to get to the good stuff. (Rating: 4++)
Pussy Magic (Goddamm poem kind of thing)
Stretch the wrong thing
Until the witch crowns.
Watch the wrong fawn
With magazine hounds.We all fall for
Pussy magic.
Just like the kings
And the cheese dogs of old.Pass the wrong side dish
And kick the wrong dog hole.
Wax the wrong sassy-poo
And pluck off the stove porch.We all smell for
Mussy pagic.
Just like the magic
We cracked in our corn.
Just like the magic
We raped when we stacked it.
Just like the pussy
That made magic Mary.
Raising
the Fawn - The North Sea (CD, Sonic Unyon Recording Company,
Pop/progressive)
This is not a new album but rather the second album from Raising the
Fawn that was shelved after it was recorded, as the band members opted
at the time to concentrate on an EP instead (By the Warmth of Your Flame).
After months and months of sitting around, the band members then gave the
album another spin and decided they felt good about the sound of the album.
Canada's Sonic Unyon label then released it. The North Sea is a cool
treasure that truly warranted release. The album features heavenly progressive
pop that is soothing and highly melodic. The tunes are not obvious and the
beauty of the music is hidden in the subtleties. As such, the album gets
increasingly better the more you spin it. These cool heady tracks are well
thought out and memorable...presenting a band at their peak (although they
may have not known it at the time). Great progressive pop cuts include "The
News," "July 23rd," "Top to Bottom," and "Eta."
Excellent stuff. (Rating: 5)
The
Rasmus - Dead Letters (CD, Interscope, Rock/pop)
Reviewers, like most people, generally make hasty and rash decisions. Because
of the volume of music literally thrown at them every day of the year, most
reviewers tend to throw discs in the player and then promptly rip them out...basing
their decision NOT to review the band based simply upon the fact that either
(a) they themselves are in a bad mood or (b) they don't have the time to
give the band a reasonable chance to make an impression upon them. When
we first slammed Dead Letters into our player our first reaction
was Oh no...another generic twenty-first century loud rock band.
Instead of going onto the next disc, however, something caused us to hit
repeat...and we gave The Rasmus a second listen. This time they sounded
better...so we hit return again. By the fourth or fifth spin, we realized
that this band is actually credible and impressive. While their tunes may
at first sound very similar to a thousand others, the reason these guys
stand out is simply because they write some very good songs. The melodies
are far above and beyond what you normally get from a major label band.
Dead Letters contains smart, concise, and catchy tunes that are delivered
with integrity and style. Even though this band has a sound that may very
well appeal to millions...their music is still credible and real. The vocals
are exceptional throughout. Cool rockers include "In The Shadows,"
"In My Life," "Back In The Picture," and "Video:
In The Shadows." Really good stuff...! (Rating: 4+++)
Carina
Round - The Disconnection (CD, Interscope, Pop/rock/industrial)
Britain's Carina Round sounds exactly like so many other artists...that
it is rather difficult to determine exactly who she really does
sound like (!)...and that just may be her main appeal. The Disconnection
is the second release from this seductive young lady. Her voice is so smooth
and precise that listeners won't be able to resist her appeal. Combining
elements of pop and rock music with hints of industrial technology, Ms.
Round is seemingly influenced by a wealth of artists from the past right
on through to the present. What we most impressive about Carina's music
are the highs and lows. She can be seductive and kittenish...but she can
also be wild and intense. Despite the fact that The Disconnection
is a decidedly slick affair...the songs are strong enough to cut through
the sometimes thick production. The rockers are cool...but even cooler are
the more subdued pieces. "Paris" and "Elegy" are particularly
appealing compositions. Few artists seem to be able to effectively break
into the U.S. market. This lady may be one of the few exceptions. A grand
album full of unexpected leaps and triggers. (Rating: 4+++)
Les Savy Fav - Inches (CD, French
Kiss, Pop/rock)
Punchy post-punk pop. Inches is the album Les Savy Fav have
been working on since 1996...releasing tunes from this album as separate
7" vinyl releases during the course of their career. For folks who
missed out on the original releases, they are now all conveniently combined
onto one easily accessible CD. These eighteen tracks present a band with
a clear and identifiable sound. Considering the fact that these recordings
were originally released at different times, the overall sound is incredibly
consistent. Steady rhythms support jagged guitars while spirited vocals
are the glue that tie everything together. The band's tunes recall a variety
of other sources including (but not limited to) The Buzzcocks, early
Gang of Four, and Brainiac. Inches is a quick trip
through the smart world of Les Savy Fav's intelligent art rock. Despite
the band's artistic leanings, the music is surprisingly unpretentious. Classy
cuts include "Meet Me In The Dollar Bin," "Obsessed With
The Excess," "Bringing Us Down," and "Rodeo." Cool
stuff. (Rating: 5+)
Shit On A Pig (Goddamn poem kind of thing)
I shit on a pig.
You shit on a pig.
We all shit on a pig.Shit on a pig.
Shit on a pig.
How grand it is
To shit on a pig.Shit on a goddamn pig today.
Then you will have some fun today.You shit on a pig.
I shit on a pig.
We all shit on a goddamn pig.Shit on a pig.
Shit on a pig.
Pigs are just like life.We shit on that too.
Some
Action - Some Action EP (CD, Gigantic, Rock)
A hot little EP from a hot little band. New York's Some Action get
down to business on this EP...delivering cocky loud rock that is something
like a cross between The Dead Boys and The Strokes. The band's
approach is simple. Play loud and fast...and add no unnecessary ingredients.
These fellows' stripped down approach works...mainly because their songs
are strong and they play with furious intensity. These five tunes set the
stage for what is sure to be a quick rise to fame. Killer cuts include "Drawing
Blood," "Hurt Tonight," and "Some Action." The
road is paved solid for some wild curves ahead. Great packaging on this
one. Cool stuff. (Rating: 5)
Sounds
Like Violence - The Pistol (CD EP, Deep Elm, Rock)
Rip-roaring loud aggressive and intense modern rock music with spastic tendencies.
This Swedish quartet plays with abrasive verocity...and yet their tunes
are surprisingly smart and inventive. In some ways, the tunes on The
Pistol sound like The Pixies at their most violent peaks. Sounds
Like Violence consists of Andreas Soderlund, Philip Hall,
Daniel Teodorsson, and Daniel Petersson. These four guys are
tearing down the preconceptions most folks have about Swedish bands. Obtuse
cocky rockers include "You Give Me Heart Attacks" and "Grow/Blow."
Good stuff. (Rating: 4+++)
Iggy and The Stooges - Live in Detroit (DVD, Music
Video Distributors, Live concert footage)
While some folks may balk at the idea of Iggy and the Stooges reuniting
to play their tunes at this late stage of the game, the main point may be
missed entirely. While this concert could never match the intensity
of these fellows in the early stages of their career, it proves one thing:
Iggy, Ron, and Scott have never sold out. Before watching this concert
footage, one must bear in mind that these guys are now old enough to be
grandfathers. As a result, one can forgive Scott and Ron
Ashton's seemingly bored state during the show. They play well...but
neither seem very interested. (After playing these songs as many times
as they have, it's no wonder!) Guest bassist Mike Watt,
on the other hand, adds plenty of excitement and energy to the proceedings.
Iggy is in fine form...still hashing out attitude like he was a teenager.
There are several priceless moments, not the least of which is the
segment where Iggy invites the entire audience on the stage and everything
turns into drunken chaos. By the end of the show, Iggy has almost
lost his pants (a performance trademark)...shaking his bare ass to
the delight of the audience. The real surprise here...and the true
draw of this disc...is the bonus "in store" performance...in which
the band (as a trio) plays stripped down versions of their hits. This
is by far much meatier than the "real" concert footage...and the
quality of the music is infinitely superior. Iggy's vocals are superb.
It would have been nice if the band had chosen to include some of
Iggy's solo material in these shows...but then that may have tarnished the
desired effect. If nothing else, this high quality DVD captures Iggy
and the boys while they're still alive...sticking it deep inside for one
last time. Chances are this is the last Stooges reunion ever. If
nothing else, that is reason alone to have this disc. (Rating: 4+++)
We Hate Us (Goddamn poem kind of thing)
We hate us
And we want us
To hate us too.Hate, hate, hate.
It's as cool as cool
Is cool.Don't hate others,
Hate yourself.
But don't hate yourself,
Hate others.Hate is love and
Love is hate and
Love is love and
Hate is hate.We want us to hate us too.
We want you to hate you too.
We want we to bleach and chew.
We want we want, snoo-snoo-snoo.Don't hate.
Hate is crummy.
Don't love.
Love is crummy.Don't anything.
Anything is nothing.
Don't nothing at all...because
Nothing is SNUNKY.
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