The Blue Noise Band / Multi-Purpose / Aerosol The Blue Noise Band reminds of a more tightly knit Albert Ayler-led group that refuses to take the final plunge into absolute freak-out free jazz. The first two tracks on Multi-Purpose are incredible in that they both retain a chorus that bashful newcomers can sink their teeth into, yet also inspire thrill-seeking jazz fans with their unique approach to free form musical release, mixing relaxation with flooring bombastics. "DBD" takes a simple major guitar scale and hooks a clean and smooth melody through your cheek...more» FEATURED ON THE BOOMBOX!
		Jurassic 5 / Quality Control / Interscope Listening to Quality Control, I was repeatedly flabbergasted and amazed. Jurassic 5's four MCs, Marc 7, Akil, Chali 2NA and Zaakir, are adept, deft lyricists. Jurassic 5's lyrics are not political tracts or stories; instead, each lyricist turns words around on themselves and against one another to create a sort of sound-based architecture. Imagine if Rakim had loosened up after making Follow the Leader and cut an album with the Jungle Brothers...more» FEATURED ON THE BOOMBOX!
		Adventures in Stereo / Monomania / Bobsled From the breathy vocals to the gentle, jangled guitar, this album is a sonic trip to the beach. You can almost hear the seagulls behind the gentle toe-tapping of "International," a song that combines a banjo and strummed guitar with vocals dripping with ocean spray. Despite their obvious influences, the band avoids simple tribute by virtue of Judith Boyle (formerly of Spirea-X), whose gossamer vocals bring new feeling to the familiar musical approach. The overall effect is something like the Primitives covering Pet Sounds...more»
		Careless Carliss and the Cantelope Girls / The Ballad of Dr. Fell / Jargon You may have heard Carliss and the Girls through the Comedy Radio Hour on the internet (where they're a big hit), or else through radio programs like Dr Demento. For the most part, the radio attention centers around their obvious single, "REM", as it boasts a nice melody and is 4 minutes of genuine hoot. Rick Carliss, the guitarist and guy singer, dishes out these Eleda-penned lyrics in a nice, casual manner, and it's great when the whole song culminates in a beautiful chorus of "Sorry!"...more»
		Jack Drag / Soft Songs LP: Aviating / Sugar Free "Aviating", the opening (and semi-titular) track, is a mellow, liquid affair reminiscent of latter-day Chills. It is a gentle, dreamy love song that's more than a little mournful, punctuated by subtle strings. "We Could've Been Big" follows, and let's face it -- it's impossible, knowing Jack Drag's recent history, not to interpret the song as a sort of career post-mortem. Rueful lyrics hint at a bright future thwarted by sheer chance...more»
		Yuji Oniki / Orange / Future Farmer Nothing about Orange is jarring. Oniki's vocals are straightforward; bereft of vocal trickery or surprises, he comes across as honest and conversational, and listening to him is like chatting with a friend. Musical accompaniment, courtesy of Guided by Voices' Doug Gillard and Beulah's Bill Swan and Steve St. Cin, veers from quintessential pop to jazzy experimentalism, though Beach Boys-styled harmonies are never more than a measure away...more»
		Saint Etienne / The Sound of Water / Sub Pop Why take prozac when "Late Morning" can lull you insensate far more gracefully by way of Sarah Cracknell's breathy, honeyed tones? Repeat the track until you're thoroughly soothed, because "Heart Failed (In the Back of a Taxi)", perhaps the album's most striking song, is pretty grim -- albeit grim in the same almost-bouncy way that Depeche Mode used to be grim. If this was Belle & Sebastian, we'd be due for half an hour of moody reminiscence, but Saint Etienne view events from a more distant, more optimistic plain...more»
		The Salteens / Short-Term Memories / Endearing The Salteens' press kit calls them "an indy (sic) rock Partridge Family", but the feeling I get from Short-Term Memories is definitely more Brady, cut with doses of the early Byrds and a bit of goofy Bacharach-inspired trumpet. "Bubba Da" is a good example of the Salteens’ craft: tight harmonies and a catchy melody, with plenty of "yeah!"s from lead singer Scott Walker and "bah bah bah"s from the backing vocalists. "Bubba Da" sounds fairly modern, but there are songs on Short-Term Memories that could have been on the radio in 1966 just as easily as now...more»
		Starlight Mints / The Dream That Stuff Was Made Of / SeeThru Broadcasting In the middle of the first song I’m already excited: I’ve found my new favorite pop band! The songs are quirky. People are whistling. Background cheers weave into choruses. Sometimes you’re at a wild and stoned carnival. Other times you’re walking a tightrope in space. Attention: Starlight Mints sound weird! On paper, the band’s your basic set-up with guitars, drums and keyboards. On the record, the basics are accompanied by all sorts of accompaniment. Sometimes cellos, sometimes violins, sometimes horns, sometimes harps...more»
		Rokia Traoré / Wanita / Indigo At 25 years of age, Malian folk singer Rokia Traoré has already positioned herself as an important voice in a new generation of African musicians. Her music combines aspects of the Griot (Malian hereditary singer/storytellers) tradition with modern sensibilities. A protegée of the influential singer/guitarist Ali Farka Touré, Traoré's music possesses the same subtle sophistication found in his work. It is powerful and communicative but held close to the chest and controlled carefully...more»