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The Metalunas / X-Minus-One / AmPop (CD)
A sixties sci-fi surf rock treat, X-Minus-One features the guitar
stylings
of Mark Brodie, who can always be counted on to nail that fifties/sixties
sound to
the wall. The recipe is simple: heavily reverbed guitars paired with
atmospheric organ
melodies and driving basslines. There's a storyline here, sort of,
complete with
occasional sci-fi serial-style interludes detailing the Metalunas' struggle
against the
evil alien Zooites, though it's all really just an extension of the
packaging. It doesn't
matter -- you still get killer surf tunes. -- gz
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The Bonaduces / The
Democracy of Sleep / The Bonaduces (CD)
The Bonaduces' The Democracy
of Sleep is sensitive-yet-powerful modern rock. In the tradition of other fine power-pop bands, The
Bonaduces blend big, riffy guitars with sugar-coated melodies and
bittersweet lyrics. Take "Sara's Black Pyjamas" for example -- besides the
cool orthography of its title, the song paints a picture, in poignant
prose, of what it's like to have a friend who shows the warning signs of
suicide. This is truly moving, but what's particularly laudable is the way
the bright-eyed music screams "But life still goes on!" without minimizing
the impact of the song. While dealing serious issues
common to kids these days, the Bonaduces also maintain a sense of glee that
epitomizes youthful resiliance. What a fine band the Bonaduces are! -- nw
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Roots Manuva / Juggle Tings Proper / Big Dada/Ninja Tune (CD)
UK Hip-hop with heavy ragga flavor, these two tracks gave my subwoofer
an unexpected and intensive workout. You get five cuts -- three mixes
of the title cut and two of "Strange Behaviour". For some reason, the
bass on this EP was custom-tuned to the resonant frequency of my
skull, resulting in a screaming, pounding headache of the variety that
makes you put pressure on the bridge of your nose and beg the pain
to go away. Eventually, I had to turn the disc off. It's good, though -- very good. Just keep the aspirin handy. -- gz
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Jeff Aug / Before Then After / Corrosive Media
(CD)
Clearly deserving of the title "exceptionally skilled guitar player,"
Jeff Aug offers Before Then After, a solo guitar effort
that lets the pick do the talking. With a variety of styles ranging
from soothing, trance-inducing long-players to reverb soaked,
multi-rhythmic fret-board busters, fans of Joe Satriani or Ian Moore
should appreciate Mr. Aug. In its entirety, the CD is a bit difficult
to digest (15 tracks) but small doses aptly display the stylings, skill
and compositional capability of Aug. -- am
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Plastikman / Artifakts (bc) / Novamute (CD)
Artifacts (bc) rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the
unfinished
third Plastikman LP, Klinik, to become an intellectual bridge between Richie Hawtin's Musik and Consumed albums. None of this information should matter to
the casual listener -- it simply serves to place the disc in historical context. Said casual
listener is more likely to be put off by Artifakts (bc)'s minimalist trance techno sound -- the tracks are long
and linear,
the recording level is relatively low and the mood is subtle, even by Hawtin's
standards.
That's not to say that the disc is flat-out dull, but it's definitely a
low-key affair -- certainly not the best starting point for electronic music newbies. -- gz
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Bliss / Chasing the Mad Rabbit / J-Bird (CD)
Bliss are two metalheads, Michael Trapp and Matt Wells, whose aim is to
make the "ultimate rock CD". Both have extensive resumés as members of
various now-defunct rock groups and as backup musicians for bigger-name
acts. Experience isn't what's lacking on this CD -- the missing element is contemporary relevence. The songs on Chasing
the Mad Rabbit reflect a strong grounding in classic rock. The
opening, "Karmic Wheel" leads you to wonder if '80s metal has made a
comeback. "Sick" goes in the catagory of songs that try to break the mold
(sounds kind of like Peter Gabriel) but the album spills all the beans with
the power ballad "Once Upon A Time" (hey, is that a lighter you're waving?
O.K. it does sound like Journey!). I recommend this one to anyone that
yearns for the days of big, hairy cock rock! Mad Rabbit isn't a bad
album, but it definitely sounds out of place among today's music. -- nw
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Velocette / Fourfold Remedy / Beggars Banquet (CD)
When they're not busy being UK music press darlings, Velocette make
sophisticated girly-pop -- Lush and Saint Etienne (for whom they've
opened) are the most obvious reference points, with a touch of Stereolab
thrown in for good measure. With her breathily emotive vocals, Sarah
Bleach joins the short list of women who can hypnotize men with a
microphone and a spot of reverb. However, while Fourfold Remedy
is an accomplished and enjoyable effort, there's nothing here quite as
attention-grabbing as Velocette's earlier material -- or perhaps I just know what to expect from them now. -- gz
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On the Double / Day One / On the Double
(CD-R)
These North Texans try their hand at the punk/ska revival thing. While
you may be sick to death of this rehashed genre by now (may be? -- ed.), you've gotta
give this young band credit for writing some high powered, energetic
tunes that show some promising songwriting. General snottiness and
above average tunes (including the rude boy anthem "Two Tone")
guarantee at least a few spins on your CD player. -- am
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