T
Teenage Fanclub- "Songs from Northern Britain" (Creation UK, Columbia
US)
This band is kind of like Domino's.
You know exactly what you're getting before you even open the box.
Which, when you've got the winning formula the Fannies do, isn't a
bad thing. It's poppy, sounds like Big Star and the Byrds, won't win
over fans who despised them in the past and will delight those who've
found the past 2 LPs a bit dodgey. (TW)
Travis- "Good Feeling" (Independiente UK, Epic US)
Scotland's Travis derive from the
same school as Radiohead. By this, I mean the band incorporate a
similar urgency and fervour found with Radiohead's earlier
efforts-classic rock songs, no wank, no pretention. And it is no
surprise why Oasis love this band either. Sans the bullshit and bad
behavior, Travis work with a similar formula to that which made Oasis
incredibly successful. "Good Feeling" the band's debut LP, is a
goldmine waiting to be discovered. They've earned a fair amount of
success in the UK, but America just hasn't figured it out yet.
Perhaps by drilling "Tied to the 90s" into the country's head, the US
will cop on and give Travis the same respect they've already given to
the Manchester bad boys. (DW)
V
V/A- "belFEST '97 - A Sampler" (Creeping Herb
Records)
The CD to go along with belFEST '97,
a week of gigs, seminars and A&R men at the bar held recently to
showcase some of Northern Ireland's up-and-coming talent. Like most
of these things, it's a bit of a mixed bag. By far the strongest
tracks on the album go to Backwater ("Electricity"), who continue to
turn out great pop songs (will somebody sign these boys already!),
those crazy boys and girls in Tunic with the wonderfully wacky
"Wizzard", and Belfast's favorite drainpipe players, the eccentric
Watercress ("Imaginary Love"); all of whom, not surprisingly, are old
hands at this sort of stuff. Also worth checking out are the racket
known as Roo ("World Is Drinking Cactus Juice"), who although not
quite there yet in the together stakes, have a lot of interesting
ideas floating around and are certainly ones to watch. Barney, not
surprisingly, opened for Stiff Little Fingers, while Cain also go for
the uh, older crowd, although these ones probably listen to Counting
Crows. co.uk sound like the Senseless Things although one song
featured in their live set that week, the rather charmingly titled "I
Like Sex Better Than a Rapist", would probably see the aforementioned
band's fans deservedly whipping them to death with their dreadlocks.
Dude from Parker wants to be Axl Rose. Raindog deliver their own
brand of atmospheric, sit in the bar and drink whiskey, sort of
stuff. She does have a lovely voice but this band just annoys me.
Still, it's quite good for what it is, which just isn't my kind of
thing. But it could be yours. As for the rest, like I said it's a bit
of a mixed bag, some of it's ok, some truly sucks. Still, this is a
CD that's well worth a listen. Besides some great tracks, it's a good
indication of the musical diversity that's around at the moment.
(TW)
V/A- "KAOS Theory" (Cottleston Pie/ Mayonnaise Records,
US)
A mishmash of bands indeed, KAOS
Theory is a cross-section of some of the artists that have appeared
on KAOS (Olympia, WA) over the years. Cutsie rock from Cub, Theremin
hell/heaven with Malaise, cacphonous noise from Harry Pussy and
Rrope... It's really got something from everyone. And it benefits a
great radio station. Good music, good reason. What else do you need?
(DW)
V/A- "Twin Town Soundrack" (Inner State UK, London
US)
A brilliant soundtrack to an even
better film that centers around two stoner cuties from Wales and
their call of duty to seek revenge for their father's death. And
where else could you find Petula Clark intertwined with Super Furry
Animals and DJ Shadow? It really makes me want to go back and visit
Portmerion...(DW)
V/A- "What's Up Matador" (Matador)
A collection of one of the hippest
label's bread and butter. Pavement cover my favorite Echo and the
Bunnymen song, "Killing Moon", which is why I bought the damn thing
in the first place. But getting tracks from Railroad Jerk, Jon
Spencer Blues Explosion, and Helium was another lovely plus. Worth
the investment indeed...(DW)
Verve- "Urban Hymns" (Hut UK, Virgin US)
"Urban Hymns" has to have been the
most highly anticipated album of the year. (Next to "Vanishing Point"
in my book.) But it's to be expected really. When The Verve broke up
in 1995, the music world was left with its mouth agape. How could a
band so talented, so promising, and so close to global stardom
disband? It was too much for anyone to take. "A Northern Soul" was
the record that finally earned the band some well-deserved
recognition - and a perfect album to end their brief career with. But
no one could believe they decided to end it all. Internal conflicts
and drug abuse are just two of many factors that accounted for their
demise. But for a band that appeared so strong and so confident, they
were truly a fragile lot. It just seems that everyone was so totally
immersed in the strength of the music that they ignored the band's
tender vulnerability.
That two year respite however proved
to be most beneficial for The Verve. They worked out differences,
matured, and experienced a whole new realm of life. And that
coming-of-age of sorts resulted in a most dynamic effort. And when
you listen you'll see why "Urban Hymns" is being as highly lauded as
it is.
We've all heard "Bitter Sweet
Symphony" to death. But the cuts such as "Come On," "Space And Time,"
and "Neon Wilderness" make this album for me. And perhaps it's the
urgency found with all the tracks that make this album so
mind-blowingly fantastic. And okay, I've been a fan of Verve's for
ages (I've seen the band around England and the US too many times to
keep track), but I know a slew of people who've never been fans
previously that love this album on the merit of its pure ingenuity
alone.
So next to "Tellin' Stories," "Young
Team," and "Vanishing Point," I'm rating "Urban Hymns" as one of the
best of the year. I always knew The Verve wouldn't say good-bye
forever. The music meant far too much to them to stay silent for
good. (DW)
W
Wannadies- S/T (Indolent UK, RCA US)
Fact: The Wannadies are from Sweden.
Fact: They sound nothing like The
Cardigans.
Well now that I've gotten that out of
the way, I want to assure you that The Wannadies have a delectable
knack for writing edgy pop ditties that put a number of those mundane
British bands to shame. Their recent lp is nothing short of catchy
and with any luck, they'll amass a large following on these shores, a
country that desperately needs to hear a ingle from a Nordic band
other than "Lovefool." So come on Sweden, show us what you're made
of. (DW)
Wheat- S/T (Sugar Free)
Perhaps it's just me, but "Death Car"
sounds like a spacier Guided By Voices song. And that's not to be
construed as criticism either (GBV are a most brilliant band...) The
rest of the album doesn't sound like Dayton's pride and joy though;
Wheat just have a nice little mellow pop thing going on, coupled with
a lo-fi slant. It's a nice little effort from a band I'm quite
curious to hear more from indeed. (DW)
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