 |
On Musiques naives, Canadian electro-acoustic composer Yves Daoust
presents an interesting assortment of concert tape music. "Impromptu" is
made of a flurry of MIDI messages triggering musical motives drawn from the
works of Chopin. It is frenzied and saturated, meant to capture the
"feverishness" of Chopin's work. "Il était une fois" is a highly
fanciful soundscape inspired by bedtime stories the composer once told his
daughter. "Water Music" celebrates nature by focussing on the sound of
water dripping for 13 minutes. "Fantasie" commemorates 50 years of French
national radio and draws its sonic material from archival recordings, very
nostalgic I'm sure. All in all the stuff on MN is evocative and
imaginative, and it's electro-acoustic! -- nw
|
 |
Les Savy Fav / Our Coastal Hymn/ DeSoto (7")
Always the musical equivalent of a Grand Mal seizure, Les Savy Fav
fires off two tracks which exemplify the barely contained zeal of these
art students gone awry. This quintet manages to emit five distinct
musical voices, yet somehow incorporate them into a powerful thrust
that becomes a unified tune. This vinyl platter has an A-side that
sports tightly wound bass and skittish guitar accentuations and a
B-side that showcases the trademarked lyrical rantings of everyone's
favourite lunatic-on-stage vocalist. What more could a hungry music fan
ask for? -- am
|
 |
If you believe the rhetoric of packaging, Joi are "the original
Asian breakbeat fusionists." In other words, they spot-weld traditional
Eastern chanting and instrumentation to the trappings of conventional
electronica. The results are heady stuff -- lush orchestrations seething
with upbeat, celebratory energy -- but fall inexplicably short of their
potential. While the tunes on One and One is One will more than likely
set dance floors aflame, they don't burn quite brightly enough to stand out to an individual listener. -- gz
|
 |
Ross Beach / Ride Theory Sampler / Chicken Ranch (CD)
This sampler from the forthcoming full-length reveals Ross Beach to be
Chicken Ranch's most appealing artist yet. With a jangly country-folk bent
and
lilting vocals that sound like a less indulgent Poi Dog Pondering, Beach
creates quirkily hummable tunes that don't wear out their welcome with
repeat listening. Titles like "Acts of Extraterrestrial Vandalism" hint that
Beach isn't just another stuffed t-shirt Stipe-type with a humorless agenda,
which is always pleasant. I hope Chicken Ranch ships us the full-length some
time soon. -- gz
|
 |
Spear of Destiny / Religion / Amsterdamned (CD)
80s punk rock type Kirk Brandon has dredged up his old band name and stuck
it on this new album, the first Spear of Destiny release in 10 years. He's
the only old band member in the reincarnated group and is clearly its main
creative force. Religion is 10 tracks of intelligent, unpostured
and distinctive power punk. It reminds me of old Nick Cave stuff
to some extent and also of The Cult a little bit. Though the album started
off slowly for me, by track 5, "Mile in My Shoes" -- and certainly by track
6, "X" -- I was getting into it. I think it takes a certain mood to dig it
completely, however...Maybe if I were drowning my sorrows in an isolated
roadside tavern somewhere, it'd really be the thing. -- nw
|
 |
Wreck's Progress / Catalogue (Vol. 1) / DAME (CD)
This improvisational ensemble, led by Michel Ratte, will either
thrill you with the intellectual issues it raises or cause you to tear
out your hair in utter frustration. According to the liner notes, Ratte
"discusses the problem of finding a diversity that has aesthetic
significance". If you're in an academic frame of mind, you'll be throughly intrigued by
Ratte's discussion of irrevocability and spontaneity and their effect on
the huge decision-tree-diagram of modern music. If none of this interests
you, however, you're more likely to think Wreck's Progress sound like an
infinite number of monkeys set loose in a roomful of instruments while
taking a break from working on their Hamlet script. -- gz
|
 |
Peace Corp. / self-titled / Salih (CD)
While "mediocre at best" aptly describes the CD's packaging, this
trio of pop-punksters are definitely high class with the songwriting.
Saucy, snotty and petulant vocals are accompanied by healthy doses of
three-chord punk and occasional guest appearances by ska, acoustic
accompaniment and general tomfoolery. Peace Corp. journey back to the days
of classic Bad Religion or early Agent Orange with a resolute affinity for
openly displaying their dislike for items ranging from Oasis to talk shows
-- the signature of a true punk band! -- am
|
 |
Slow Smile / Fluffy Handbag / Rice Pudding (CD)
This UK outfit presents three short tracks for your enjoyment and edification.
The title cut is a quirky, syncopated pop song with a hummable
"doo-dit-doo-doo-doo" refrain and rather muffled vocal delivery. "Don't Believe the
Hyp(ocrites)" compresses Dave Edmunds-style bassline action (always a good thing)
into a stripped-down package -- very catchy. "One Small Step
For Man; One Giant Leap For A Slug" scored highest with me --
it's a longer, more ethereal track that drones a la Wire circa 1986.
Overall production quality for the EP seems a bit weak (or perhaps
it's the CD-R medium), but the songs themselves are very promising. -- gz
|
