A brief note about the reviews: Each selection is reviewed on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, and I've picked two favorite songs for each disc. This is how the ratings are classified.
|
0 stars - worthless even as a Frisbee |
|
* - good only for a coaster |
|
** - slightly redeeming...don't go out of your way to find it |
|
*** - worth having, with just a few low points |
|
**** - definitely recommended, even if you have to pay full price for it |
|
***** - recorded perfection, from actual musical content down to production values (a virtually unattainable rating) |
my rating: ****
favorite songs: "Open Up", "Afro-Left"
I first heard of Leftfield from the Hackers2 CD compilation. They had a song called "Original" with vocals from Toni Halliday from Curve, and that song got me interested. Then I saw this little movie, by the guy who made Trainspotting, called Shallow Grave. There were several songs from Leftfield throughout the movie, and that got me hooked.
I picked up "Leftism" a few years ago, before they released their new one. It was hard to find, but worth the search. Their music is a little hard to classify; they manage to change styles pretty easily. "Original" is on this disc, and is one of the more subdued songs here. Halliday's vocals slide through the music, yet the song maintains a pretty up-front beat. "Afro-Left" is much more up-beat and club-friendly, very ethnic sounding. "Inspection (Check One)" has also appeared on other compilations before, but it works well here, thumping beats and reggae-styled vocals. And, for anyone who hasn't heard it before, "Open Up" features the vocal talents of John Lydon. The song is full of energy, as he alternately croons and yells his way through the track. A very solid disc all around.
^ back to index ^
my rating: ****
favorite songs: "Risingson", "Dissolved Girl"
Massive Attack is setting themselves up as the project band of the late 90's. This disc features a number of guest vocalists, which offers a wide range of styles even within their brand of trip-hop. Most of the material here is very restrained yet ethereal. "Angel", the opening track, beautifully sets the mood of the disc, with a slow, steady beat, and lush, soft female vocals crooning into the listener's ear, "you're my angel". Marvelous.
"Risingson" is the real standout here, though, as vocal duties are taken by two of the three Massive Attack members, alternating. This song in particular has a very dark and foreboding tone to it, perfect for listening in bed late at night, with all the lights off. Put this one and Hooverphonic's first release in your CD player, and set it on random play, lay back and relax...
^ back to index ^
Megadeth..."Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?"
my rating: **** 1/2
favorite songs: "Black Friday", "My Last Words"
This is THE seminal thrash album from the 80's. Megadeth set the standard with this release, one that they were fated never to quite reach again. Sure, "Rust in Peace" was a good album, but it was no "Peace Sells". And Megadeth has since fallen into corporate oblivion, along with Metallica, but that's for another column.
This album is simply amazing, from the thunderous opening of "Wake Up Dead" to the haunting opening strains of "My Last Words". Great recording quality (about as good as anything else released from that era), Ellefson's bass comes through surprisingly clear. Unparalleled musicianship as well, with some of the most complex rhythms in this genre, or most any other. Dave Mustaine's vocal slurring is a bit hard to get used to, however, but it's uniquely Megadeth. I deducted half a star from the rating for the bizarre inclusion of their cover of "I Ain't Superstitious", an old blues tune. Megadeth seemed to be trying something back then, as each of their first three albums contained somewhat unusual cover songs (Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots" off the first album and The Sex Pistol's "Anarchy in the UK" on the third album), but I never thought any of them worked especially well. Other than that selection, this disc is musical excellence.
Lyrically, some of the writing is a bit typical of that period. Many of the bands were trying to project this controversial image of the occult and so on, which accounts for "The Conjuring". Yet they show a little more maturity in their writing, even on the subject of serial killers ("Black Friday"). Probably the most lyrically interesting songs are "Devil's Island", about the island prison, and "My Last Words", about a game of Russian Roulette. And David Ellefson proves himself to be one of the most talented bassists around. His playing is quite clear through most of the songs, and he's not just mimicking what the guitars are playing, he's playing his own separate rhythm. At the beginning of "My Last Words", he's even harmonizing with the guitar playing solo. This album is a classic of the genre.
^ back to index ^
Mephiskapheles..."Maximum Perversion"
my rating: ****
favorite songs: "Yellow
Passion", "Attack of the Geniuses"
Mephiskapheles, how I love thee! And why don't they have more CD's out? These guys are great! Besides being amazingly good musicians and composers, they have a very unique flavor. Some traditional jazz can be heard here, a very subtle hint of, well, Mephiskapheles. Some influences are slightly noticeable, but the music that comes out of the speakers is uniquely Mephistopheles...ska with a twist, a shake, and just a little spindled. And what's the deal with all the Satanic stuff? Are they? Is it a joke? Maybe half the fun is not really knowing.
^ back to index ^
my rating: *****
(believe it! FIVE stars!)
favorite songs:
"Quote Unquote", "Slowly Growing Deaf", "Egg",
"Carnival", "Dead Goon"...nevermind, they are ALL favorites
For the uninitiated, Mr. Bungle has been around for quite some time, but this is their debut release, and it excels in every aspect. Containing members from various other bands (including Mike Patton from the now defunct Faith No More on vocals), each member using a pseudonym, the band surrounds itself in absurdity and surrealism. The songs range a variety of subjects, from "Egg" (about...guess what?), "Stubb - a Dub" (about someone's pet dog), and "Slowly Growing Deaf" (about Beethoven), and some other subjects that can't really be printed here. Patton's vocal abilities are really allowed to stretch and shine here, as he does everything from whisper, sing (with impressive range), and scream. The music itself is surreality recorded. The opening song, "Quote Unquote", smoothly slides from quiet calmness to frantic panic, while "Slowing Growing Deaf" hops between bouncy pop and noisy thrash metal, and "Carnival" takes on a polka tone. Surprisingly enough, the musicianship is excellent. The band as a unit is extremely tight, and are equally adept at any style they happen to play. Interesting to note as well is producer John Zorn, of various improvisational noise-jazz bands...his style is certainly evident here, though it's definitely way in the background. The music on this disc is wildly diverse, and it's impossible to put it into any one genre.
Now then, why the five-star rating? Besides the fact that musically, vocally, and lyrically, this disc is amazing, it excels on other necessary levels as well. The production values are excellent, the sound on this disc is the best I have ever heard, which is really saying something, considering the changing styles and instruments represented here. Not just "crisp" or clear sound, because the "Nothingface" release from French-Canadian quartet Voivod is remarkably clear as well (that one was one of the first albums recorded completely digitally), but the sound on "Mr. Bungle" has all the necessary range and depth to really make these songs come alive and work their way into your head.
And finally, the artwork is beautiful. The cover is done by David Louapre and Dan Sweetman, from "A Cotton Candy Autopsy", and the inside of the liner notes also features three other pieces by him, as well as marginal artwork interspersed among the lyrics and credits. Overall, this disc is a MUST-have for anyone with an open mind and an adventurous spirit!
^ back to index ^
No Use For A Name...”Leche Con Carne”
my rating: ****
favorite songs:
“Justified Black Eye”, “Couch Boy”
If you've never heard
anything by this awesome punk band, check them out now. This isn't another
cheesy Green Day wannabe band, this is just good old catchy punk. The themes of
the songs are pretty deep too, ranging from wife-beating to the generally
apathetic view of so many people these days. This release is from 1995, but
doesn't sound dated at all.
The vocals aren't quite what you'd expect, either. Tony Sly's approach is a genuine one; you know he's got some personal stake in every one of these songs. Energetic and honest, the vocals weave through the thick curtain of sound...you won't be able to resist drumming on the steering wheel to this CD. It's rare to find heavy music like this with integrity, with the overwhelming musical trend today being this metal-rap-core Limpkornkidroach Xerox cookie-cutter stuff. But I digress...I loved No Use For A Name, and you should too.
^ back to index ^
my rating: *** 1/2
favorite songs:
"plasiticity", "plasticine"
Okay, this is definitely not a "new" CD, but I felt I had to say something about it. This is Richie Hawtin's first full-length offering as Plastikman, and it is phenomenal. Forget what you might have heard, forget anything you might have seen, this is techno in its purest form. "Plasticity" is probably one of the more familiar tracks on this disc, and that one clocks in around eleven minutes. This is pretty typical of the genre as a whole, and also why seeing a live techno show (like the one Richie just threw in Pontiac last month to kick off his new CD) is on such a higher level than hearing it on a CD. But Richie does an excellent job of bridging that gap.
The songs span such a great depth, too...tracks like the aforementioned "plasticity" and "gak" induce such a dark, ethereal feel in the listener. Especially "gak"...it is so spare and condensed. Richie doesn't use anything more than he has to in order to convey a mood or feeling or emotion, and he knows exactly how to tweak those "inner buttons" that we all have. On the surface, most of the material sounds like someone playing with a couple 303's, an 808, and a 909, but the result is definitely more. This disc is a must-have for anyone interested in the "original, authentic Detroit techno sound."
^ back to index ^
Porn Family..."A Little Louder, A Little Faster, A Little Elvis!"
my rating: *** 3/4
favorite songs: "Dying Again", "El Camino"
Steve Kapo, Scott Lull, and Karl Crafton are the masterminds behind Porn Family. One of the few local bands to appear on the Markophone, and not a moment too soon. This release, NOT their first, is a charming little change of pace from Kapo's other musical project, "Electro Musketeers", a sort of disco-country-Krishna blend. Porn Family, on the other hand, is a good rock band, the way rock was meant to be played: loud, wet, and sloppy.
Seriously, though, I like these kids. At times, their music reminds me a little of early Soundgarden (that's a compliment, boys), but the rest of the time it's pure Porn Family. Scott and Steve share the vocal duties on these tracks, providing a nice contrast between Scott's sweet crooning (reminiscent of Robert Gulet) and Steve's nasal whining. The CD does a good job of capturing the energy of the songs, and if you have a chance to see them live, don't pass it up. These kids know how to rock, and their enthusiasm (not to mention cheap insults) really shine in their live performances.
One song in particular, "Perfect Hate Song", really shows some unexpected maturity, proving they're not just another sloppy local garage band. They're a sloppy local garage band with hooks in their songs, snarls on their faces, and glitter on their shoes.
^ back to index ^
Propellerheads..."decksandrumsandrockandroll"
my rating: *** 1/2
favorite songs:
"Velvet Pants", "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"
Propellerheads are what most are calling "big beat". Like the Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, it's a harder-edged electronic mix than "traditional" techno, such as Plasticman, Keoki, Mark Verbos, or Orbital. Sometimes, as is the case with these two English lads, they will even use live instruments. Will White plays drums on most of the tracks, in addition to Alex Gifford's programming, mixing, and looping.
This disc explores quite a range of styles, more so than is typical for this type of music. And Propellerheads pull it all off with a surprising mastery, considering this is their first full-length effort. A few of the songs will even catch the listener by surprise, such as "History Repeating". Shirley Bassey, who did the vocals for "Goldfinger" from the James Bond movie of the same name, was an excellent choice for the vocals on this track, and they all have fun with it. It has such a distinctly "retro" feel, with the big fat pipe organ sound, and her vocals, but there's something original buried in there, too. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" is another one of those original-yet-reverent sounds, and is probably one of my fave tracks here. "Bang On!" is the almost-typical frantic-paced-get-on-the-dance-floor crossover tune, but their execution is effortless, and you can't help but get lost in the mix. Overall it's a strong disc...admittedly a few weak points, but they get up and keep fighting.
^ back to index ^
Skankin' Pickle..."Sing Along with Skankin' Pickle"
my rating: ***
favorite songs: "Thick
Ass Stout", "Take A Look"
Skankin' Pickle would probably be considered a ska band, and they definitely have the horns to back it up, but they lean heavily toward the "punk" side of the coin. Which isn't bad at all. Their songs showcase a great energy and sense of humor ("Smorgasborgnine" and "Margaret Cho"), and you can't help but get up and skank along with this disc. They also feature a pretty rockin' remake of "Turning Japanese", and the have a female vocalist who takes the lead on a few songs. A fair effort, if it's used don't let it go by. Most of these songs rate very high on the "catchy stick-in-your-head" scale.
^ back to index ^
my rating: *** 1/2
favorite songs:
"Rollin'", "St. Louise is Listening"
This is the sophomore release from Soul Coughing, but the first to really see any mainstream attention. Their first single off this disc was "Circles" (the unavoidably catchy chorus, "I don't need to walk around in circles, walk around in circles, walk around in circles..."), and it is pretty representative of the majority of the songs here. Their musical style is difficult to describe, with most of the emphasis on the drums and bass. The songs might almost be considered repetitive, especially lyrically, but the band has a talent for coming up with some very catchy material. Pop music with hooks, and certainly recommended for those looking for a change from the ordinary.
^ back to index ^
my rating: ***
favorite songs:
"Hell", "Memphis Exorcism"
Squirrel Nut Zippers are a very distinct band. I have a difficult time pigeon-holing them as strictly "swing", because I really wouldn't consider them swing. A few songs have that feel to them, but for the most part, they're got an almost southern flavor. A relatively small horn section, and prominent banjos and guitars set them apart from other bands like Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. This doesn't lessen the impact of the music, however.
A few of the tracks here are truly great..."Hell", of course, which saw some radio play back in 1997. "Memphis Exorcism" is a classic instrumental that really captures the SNZ attitude. "Put A Lid On It" really showcases Katharine Whalen's vocal talents, standing in stark contrast to the aforementioned male-vocal bands. She shines again on "It Ain't You", proving that they can just as easily slow down the rhythm and darken the mood. And on "Prince Nez" she alternates vocals, providing an interesting male-female counterpoint. Kind of a hit-and-miss effort overall, but they never fall too far from the mark.
^ back to index ^
Static X...”Push It” (CD maxi-single)
my rating: ****
favorite songs: take a guess
Okay, when I saw this
used, I HAD to buy it. There's not a lot to it: "Push It", plus two
remixes of the same song, "Bled For Days" live, and "Down".
The real reason I bought it was for the video. If you're ever seen Wayne
Static, you'll understand why.
Musically, "Push
It" is a good heavy song. Static X blends the metal-core stylings of bands
like Powerman5000 and Godsmack with some electronic/industrial sounds. Not
great, sometimes downright bad, but worth a listen. The vocals on "Push
It", however, are almost laughable. If you have either of Deicide's first
two CD's (self-titled, and "Legion"), you've heard this type of vocal
before, and Glen Benton does it much better in Deicide. Alternating from deep
growling to grating screams, the first time I saw a video clip and heard the
song, I almost wet myself laughing so hard.
The CD also has two videos, one for "Push It" and one for the live cut of "Bled For Days". "Push It" is the real gem here...all the other songs and the other video can be thrown out. The video for "Push It" is a cool little piece, cutting between shots of the band playing and Wayne Static posing for the camera with a weird robot/alien guy running around a factory or something. Pick it up if you find it, it's a good novelty disc to have around.
^ back to index ^
my rating: *** 5/7
favorite songs: "Hello", "Can't Decide"
Another local band, and another band you shouldn't miss. Steve Kapo from Porn Family did the design and layout for Super TC's disc, and Mike Elgert from Super TC produced (among other duties) the Porn Family disc. These youngsters really embody the spirit of helping the local music community.
Seriously, though, I like these kids (where have I said that before?). Every once in a while, something in their music reminds me just a little of Sloan, but the rest of the time they're pure Super TC. Energetic rock (pop?) with some really catchy music and melodies...you will definitely come away from one of their shows humming a song or two. The songs go from up-beat jump along anthems ("You'll Never Know", "Turn You Down") to moodier stuff ("Hello"). The two guitarists in the band, Mike Elgert and Steve Vickers, split the lead vocal duties, and all four members sing in parts. They harmonize pretty well, and they fit well together also; their live shows are very tight. Pick this disc up...you'll also be surprised by the great quality of the recording...you can't tell by listening that it's a local band's first CD.
^ back to index ^
Switchblade Symphony...”Bread and Jam for Frances”
my rating: ****
favorite songs: “Witches”,
“Sleep”
Are they goth? Are they industrial? I have no idea what to call this music, but it's cool and pretty creepy. The songs on this disc have a dark, barely subdued feel to them, and Tina Root's vocals twist through the music like an otherwordly snake looking for prey. At times it almost sounds like she's sneering through the vocals; she definitely has her own style. "Your dreams are filled with blood and gore/ now they're right outside your door/ they're gonna get you". This music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you like Christian Death and that vein of despair, you'll probably enjoy this too.
^ back to index ^
my rating: ****
favorite songs: There
are only 6 tracks here! They're all favorites.
Tool also helped start a move in musical style, towards a very distinct sound. Bottom-heavy, you might call it...very up-front bass...more "rhythm-oriented" than "riff-oriented" (try to figure that one out!). At any rate, Tool's first release from several years back, this six-song EP, is an excellent debut offering. The opening track breaks into an almost dreamlike chorus. Taken as a whole, this disc is a little different from the more well-known "Undertow" release, but not too far removed. A must-have for any Tool fan!
By the way, as with "Undertow", there's more here after the last song is done. Not an extra track, but stuck in the last track after a period of silence. The music for this "bonus song", which is very short, is quiet and subdued, as are the vocals, but it's a must-hear..."I had a friend once, he took some acid, now he thinks he's a fire engine..."...very bizarre, very surreal, very Tool.
^ back to index ^