As with the album reviews, most of
these singles are pretty out of date. But we're working on some new
ones and will be sure to let you know when they're up and running. In
the meantime, here's what we looked at for the last
issue:
Sonic Youth- "Perspective Musicales" (SYR)
All instrumental tracks far off the
beaten path, "Perspectives Musicales" is not for those looking for a
"Kool Thing" or "100%". But it's also four of the greatest tracks
they've ever recorded. The songs that clock in at over 20 minutes are
slightly experimental, yet not so completely discordant that they'll
lose people. Should suit most everyone's whims and fancies.
(DW)
The Lilys- "Services (For The Soon To Be Departed)" (Che/Primary
US)
I've been a Lilys fan from the very
start - I've seen Mr Heasley through every move, every line-up
change, and every musical tendency. And honestly, I think he's found
his calling with this one - a Monkeesian blend of The Kinks, The
Beatles, and, especially on the first track, The Beach Boys. I think
it's about time the world caught on to the Lilys - because you never
know how much longer they'll sound like this. And if you need an
introduction to the band, you need no better one than this.
(DW)
Lo-Fidelity Allstars- "Kool Rok Bass"/"Disco Machine Gun" (Skint
UK)
This is a combo that challenges you
to find a pigeonhole for 'em. Obviously they fit quite nicely into
the electronica niche, but they also incorporate their enthusiasm for
hiphop, r&b, etc. all the while looking like your friendly indie
band from next door. It's an incredible ep that even the jaded should
seek out. The second single from these innovate techno groovesters
features a sample from the Breeders' "Cannonball" coupled with a
heavy bass-driven strike at a dance-attacking beat. It's more
in-your-face techno that "Kool Rok Bass", yet it's still not
straight-by-the-book "electronica". I'll be singing Lo-Fidelity
Allstars' praises for a long time indeed. Cant wait for that albumÉ
(DW)
Comet Gain--"Strength"/ Velocette--"Get
Yourself Together" (Wiiija UK)
Before 4/5 of the members of Comet
Gain walked to form their new outfit, Velocette, they recorded their
best single ever - the poppiest of pop in all it's ShangriLas
influenced glory. But still, it's nothing in comparison to "Get
Yourself Together." It's p-o-p, POP. It's a perfect example of how
pop songs should be written. And with a French translation too, it's
surely will be welcome in the stereos of Francoise and Brigitte fans.
(DW)
Elliott Smith--"Division Day" (Suicide Squeeze)
Although "Division Day" hints at
Elliott's apparent fondness for Motown, sounding as if it's had a
run-in with a few Temptations tunes, the flipside "No Name #6", on
the other hand, is a more traditional Elliott track, laid-back and
comfortable in its acoustic brilliance. Fans of the lyrical
mastermind won't want to miss out on this one for sure.
(DW)
Plasticene--S/T (Mojo US)
Mark my word, these boys are going to
be superstars. "Sometimes I See" is a radio hit that the Britpoppers
across the US of A are going to eat up. Could they be just as popular
as Oasis? Quite possibly. Only time will tell...(DW)
Secret Stars- "Sanity Assassins"/ Ida- "Truxton Park"
(R.W.)
Secret Stars' frontman Geoff Farina
is just a big sap isn't he? He always seems to be the guy with the
broken heart, the one who incessantly gets the short end of the love
stick. And on "Sanity Assassins", Geoff's strong, albeit vulnerable,
vocals backed by an unobtrusive acoustical twang makes The Secret
Stars' track a surefire favorite for the lovelorn and wistful. And
although Ida's never really been my cup of tea (they're just a little
too mellow for my liking), I can't help admiring Elizabeth Mitchell's
voice, which sounds incredibly beautiful on "Truxton Park". It's a
great split single, yet it's just that all these romantic sentiments
can be a little too much for me sometimes. (DW)
The Project- "Celluloid Dreams of Superman"
(Teenbeat)
Melissa Farris and Phil Satlof of
Tuscadero have teamed up with the man about town, Mark Robinson, to
release a single that contains both sweet pop and sassy disco.
"Celluloid Dreams" is precisely what one would expect from a
collaboration such as this--an inoffensive, relatively innocuous tune
that finds the saccharin sweet Melissa taking the mic. However, "In
The Drink" threw me for quite a loop with its vivacious
strobe-lighted, platform-heeled disco style. Prepare yourself
--disco's not dead yet. It's not even close. (DW)
Ash- "A Life Less Ordinary" (Infectious, UK)
Even though I love 'em, I know that
Ash may not be the most mind-blowingly phenomenal band out there. But
one thing's for certain: they sure know how to charm the pants off of
you. Their newest single (the first in about a year) is the title
track to the latest but rather bland Trainspotting-team film. And
although this isn't the band's finest moment ("Goldfinger" holds that
title), "A Life Less Ordinary" comes pretty darn close. It's a single
that should keep fans more than satiated until their sophomore
long-player is released in '98...(DW)
Starry Eyes--"Disappearer" 7" (Radiopaque)
Starry Eyes' debut single isn't as
jingly jangly, make you feel dandy as Velocity Girl, but the three
members that went on to form Starry Eyes didn't abandon their earlier
melodic pop stylings entirely either (although their new sound isn't
nearly as enjoyable for me). The guitars by VG drummer Jim Spellman
are more straightforward rock than fuzzy or twee and Sarah Shannon
doesn't fall on her operatic training for these tracks. Perhaps my
heart lies solely with Velocity Girl. Or perhaps Starry Eyes need to
release a few more singles before I decide whether or not I truly
love this new outfit. It's just that this single doesn't sit well
with me for the time being. (DW) (Note: Apparently Starry Eyes have
broken up. I'm certainly not crying over that one.
Sorry)
Hum- "Comin' Home 7" (RCA)
Former Hey, Hullabaloo! cover stars
are back with their first single in two years. They still sound the
same - guitars wail, drums pound, and the vocals still waver back and
forth from brightly melodic to gut-wrenching angst - but if they ever
changed, it just wouldn't work. (DW)
have a look at diana's picks and
pans yeah! or
nea!
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