Issue #6 – February 2003
Album
of the month:
Jello Biafra; Machine Gun In The Clown’s Hand (3 Spoken Word CD’s)
Alternative Tentacles
What? The album
of the month doesn’t even feature any music? Nope, and honestly, this is the
first time there has even been a review of a CD that hasn’t been a
music-release in one or the other way in Past and Present Music. Jello Biafra,
the man responsible for the words on these three disks, is, however, not quite
unrelated to music – if I can but it that way, because even though this might
have nothing to do with music (except for one track on the third CD, where he
pays tribute to Joey Ramone), Jello Biafra was once the lead-singer in one of
the most important punk-bands of all time, The Dead Kennedys. But he hasn’t
been afraid to take other challenges over the years, though. I mean, being the
lead-singer in a punk-band is one thing, but then running for mayor in San
Francisco as early as in 1979 is quite another, isn’t it. Well, now, other than
being involved with punk-label Alternative Tentacles, Jello travels the country
having lectures, speaks or whatever to call them, to political minded American
youngsters or other interested listeners, trying to get his points across about
various things, but mostly on the American government and its’ shortcomings. On
the three CD’s found on this release, Jello talks a lot about the possible war
America will lead against Iraq, and at one point pointing out that it’s not
always – or at least not only - because of the war against terrorism or
whatever that America wants to engage in warfare against other countries, but
also because of an American army that lacks combat-training, and with the whole
fight-against-terrorism-thing going on, America finally has an excuse for
leading a war against Iraq. Jello also addresses quite a lot of his speaks to
Gearge Bush as a president. It’s not a secret what Jello think of Bush as a
president, and who can blame him? I mean, come on, a president who, in 2002
(and probably also now in 2003), still sees the words as black and white, as
when stating this: “Either you’re with us (Bush and his followers, of course),
or you’re with the terrorists”, doesn’t really have a clue, does he? And I
think we’ll all agree with Jello, as he jokingly and yet seriously says: “Some
choice.” And a lot of times there’s a lot of humor going on in the speeches,
and mostly this is humor that borders on sarcastic or ironic statements, aimed
at one of Jello’s many targets. But whatever Jello says, it never seems to be
empty words. His claims are always backed up with little pieces from articles,
news-programs from radio or TV, or other evidence. You might not agree 100% with
everything Jello has to say, but I think you’ll agree with me, when I say, that
Jello is a gifted speaker that has a way to get his points across through
intelligent documentations and facts, as well as in a humoristic manner.
There’s a chance that some people will misunderstand Jello Biafra’s message.
Some will probably think that Jello is so anti-America, that he somehow
actually is on the terrorists’ side. Listen again, because he isn’t (he
actually claims to be patriotic, and also gives us his opinion on what being
patriotic really means). All he’s saying is; “why don’t we try and understand
where these people are coming from first”? And anyone who listens closely to
the words of Jello will find, that he distances himself from any kind of
religious fundamentalism. The bottom-line of this whole thing is that we’ve
seen enough war. There’s been enough killing. Stop the war, we’ve tried it
before, and it didn’t work, and it will never work. Something like that, I
guess. Do yourself a favor and check this out, because there’s a lot of
information. I just covered a little bit of it here, you know! (JJJJJJ)
Century
Media 2003 Kick-Off Feature:
Old Man’s Child; In Defiance Of Existence
Century
Media (Provided by Nordic Metal)
(JJJJJJ)
Yakuza; Way Of
The Dead
Century
Media (Provided by Nordic Metal)
(JJJJJJ)
Dream Evil;
Evilized
Century
Media (Provided by Nordic Metal)
(JJJJJJ)
Shadow’s
Fall; The Art Of Balance
Century
Media (Provided by Nordic Metal)
(JJJJJJ)
Even though Century Media released several great albums last year, only
one release made it to this reviewer’s 2002 album top 30. But it already seems
possible that Century Media wants a few more albums on that very list when this
year comes to an end. At least they start of 2003 like no other label with four
smashing releases that are likely the send shockwaves throughout the entire
metal-world, and some of them even further. Three of the albums were released
on the 27th January (Shadow’s Fall, Dream Evil and Yakuza), while
The Old Man’s Child album came out on the 20th January.
“in Defiance Of Existence” is the fifth
album by Norwegian black metal maestros Old Man’s Child. A band that
actually is one of the better black metal bands around these days. And isn’t it
funny that out of the few black metal bands around these today, most of them
actually come from Norway? Well, I think it is. Take for instance bands such as
Saturnus, Khold, Emperor (Ok, not exactly around anymore), Thorns, and Dimmu
Borgir with whom Old Man’s Child actually share some band-members. This time
around Old Man’s Child have gotten former Cradle Of Filth and the current Lock
Up/Dimmu Borgir drummer, Nicholas Barker, to slam the pig-skins, and man is he
the right man for this band. Supposedly he came into the line-up after becoming
a friend and a perfect music-match to Galder, who has been guitarist in Dimmu
Borgir for some time now. Even though I’ve mostly good things to say about
Dimmu Borgir, I am glad that Old Man’s Child went for a less symphonic and,
well, “safe” black metal approach. Their sound is a bit more extreme and
smashing, just the way black metal should be. Or at least the way it once was,
before it all ended up becoming a playground for ambient experiments. Overall
this is one of the better black metal albums of late, and a good way to start
the year for any black metal fan.
And while Old Man’s Child might not be the most original and
ground-breaking band in the metal-history, the new album by Yakuza “Way Of The Dead”, is just that: extremely original, but also
a bit weird at times. It will definitely take some time for traditional
metal-fans of any kind to get this one under their skins. Fans of other more
experimental and varied metal-groups such as Dillinger Escape Plan, Tool,
Meshuggah and Neurosis will probably find this right up their alley, though.
And with influences varying from early jazz ala Miles David to John Coltrane to
metal, hardcore, post rock and alternative rock from the early 90’s, this is
bound to become one of the most trippy and psychedelic releases of the year.
Words can barely describe what’s going on as the band goes from metal to
free-jazz in seconds, while dropping of saxophone solos in various places.
Heck, there’s even a 43 minutes long instrumental track at the end that is called
“O1000011110011.” I mean, come on, what is up with that (???!?!?!??!). Looking
for a different way to start the year, at least with what music you listen too
then Yakuza’s weird-core might very well be the right path to take.
Man does the music flow out off the guys in Dream
Evil. With the very convincing debut-album “DragonSlayer” released in April
last year, it was a pleasant surprise to see that they already have a new album
out, and the fact that it is actually even better than the previous one is full
proof that these guys are fast becoming the new hope of traditional heavy
metal. Every single song on this album rocks, as there isn’t even the slightest
shadow of a bad moment to find anywhere on the CD. However, they might get a
little to close to clichés from the past when in the Judas Priest sounding
“Made Of Metal” they raise their fists and share with us what they believe
they’re made of. For the most part though, this is just great melodic music,
with stunning musicianship and extremely well organized vocal-arrangements, and
for a melodic metal album this is way beyond what has become the standard these
days.
But even though all the albums mentioned above are stunning releases, and
absolutely worth your hard-earned money, my favorite of the four is probably
the new album “The Art Of Balance” by Shadow’s Fall. And balance, that’s what Shadow’s Fall do as they
rock their way through 11 tracks of pure genius, showing no interest in sticking
with one formula, but rather changing musical-styles just like that throughout
the entire CD. Last year saw the re-release of the 2000 Century Media release
“Of One Blood” with the addition of the Japanese only EP “Deadworld” (2001),
only this time released under the name “Fear Will Drag You Down.” Supposedly,
this was because Shadow’s Fall was about to break to the masses, while touring
with some of the biggest names in rock and metal, and Century Media realized
they hadn’t pushed this band, while having a chance. Somewhere though, Century
Media must have seen the potential in these guys, otherwise they wouldn’t have
signed them, right? Well, Shadow’s Fall are back, and they’re better than ever
before. At times they’re straight-up death metal, at others they’re as hardcore
as can be, while still at other times they sounds like early Metalica-style
thrash, even with the singer sounding like James Hetfield and shit. There’s
also a lot of melodic guitar-soloing going that wouldn’t at all shy away next to
a Iron Maiden song. Sometimes there are even hints of modern metal, for
instance in the title-track and “Welcome To The Machine,” and if I were to
choose two favorite tracks on this disk, it would have to be these two songs.
Especially “Welcome To The Machine” has hit-single potential written all over
it. Ah, I have a feeling… This is going to be a good year.
Other
cool albums this month
The Confusions; Trompoline
Massproduktion/MNW
Having been around for years, it finally seems like The Confusions might
break to the mainstream. They might’ve had their share of Swedish radio-airplay
(have they?), but with this album and first single “The Pilot” they’ve managed
to get both Danish and Finnish as well as Swedish radio on their side. That
very single also vent straight to the top of MTV’s “Up North Chart”, which is a
chart with all the biggest new hits in Scandinavia. But that isn’t even the
best song on the album. Take a song like “Tonight” for instance, it’s so
delicious that even those melancholic Suede-ballads seem to loose their powers
when hearing it, and there’s more of the same to find throughout the album too.
Imagine taking some of the better moments from The Beatles, Suede and The
Cardigans and putting them all into a blender, and you just might end up with
“Trompoline” in your hands. This one’s a keeper. (JJJJJJ)
Luke Geraty; The Before I Sold Out EP
Syntax/Junkyard
Although the CD-title implies that this is an EP, I would much rather
pile this as a full-length album, as it features nine tracks + an intro and an
outro. For an artist of underground-status Like Luke Geraty it’s pretty ironic
and yet very cool to title an album “The Before I Sold Out EP,” especially
considering that there’s a track on here called “Success.” A track that is
about how people always chase the success: you know the fancy things, the money
– instead of just be happy about what they already have. The lyrics of Luke
Geraty are really well written; they rhyme well, but above all the content is
good, as they’re educating, intelligent and thought-provoking. And really,
there’s not every day you hear a hip hop and rap artist who’s’ music flows as
well as it does on “The Before I Sold Out EP.” My favorite track on this thing
by far is the song “Success” that I’ve already mentioned. In many ways it’s
just another hip hop song, but the distant operatic vocals in the back-ground
create a really good atmosphere for the song and lift it from being a good hip
hop song to becoming an amazingly great hip hop song. And while this album
doesn’t feature any other obvious ear-biters like “Success” it’s still a pretty
good album overall. (JJJJJJ)
Helms; McCarthy
Kimchee Records
With a bassist
named Tina Helms, a drummer named Dan McCarthy and a guitarist/singer named
Sean McCarthy, all bases seem to be covered, both with the fact that this,
their second album is titled “McCarthy”, and with the band-name being Helms.
Pretty clever, isn’t it? Sure, but not nearly as clever as their music, though.
We’re talking real complex and innovative post-rock here. Post-rock that goes a
little beyond what’s normally heard these days. And post-rock that above all is
passionate, emotional and extremely well-played with noisy and at times almost
jazzy drums, complex bass-lines that are all over the place, and loud, dreamy
and messy guitars, all topped by the mostly passionately spoken, but also
passionately sung and yelled vocals of Sean McCarthy. This might take a while
to grow on you, but when it does, then you’re going to have a hard time letting
this go. (JJJJJJ)
Judas Priest; Live In London
SPV (Provided by Nordic Metal)
Those of you
who already have invested in the “Live In London” DVD-release, do not really
have to invest in this as well. That is if you’re not a fanatic Judas Priest
fan who just has to get your hands on everything they release. But let’s face
it, this double live-album and the DVD-release of late are more or less the
same package, only this one features a few extra songs, but of course this is
without the all the fancy visuals of the DVD, but if it helps this does feature
some cool video-enhancement. 25 more or less classic Judas Priest tracks are
what is in store, if you get your dirty little hands on the “Live In London”
album-release, and I am sure that older fans will be glad to hear that there
are favorites such as “Turbo Lover”, “Painkiller”, “Hell Bent For Leather”,
“Living After Midnight”, “Metal Gods”, and “Breaking The Law” – at least those
were the ones this reviewer was most delighted to hear again, since the old
Judas Priests albums for some reason haven’t been out of the shelves in some
time. However, I must admit that a song like “Turbo Lover” didn’t exactly
deliver as it used to when Rob Halford sang it, but most of the time Ripper
Owens does a good job, as he overall actually has done ever since he joined the
mighty Priests. This might not be the best live-album the world has ever seen,
but it sure is one of the few live-albums I have heard in a while that made me
go: “Wow, I wish I was there”, and really I do believe any fan of old-school
heavy metal will get a kick out of this. Maybe not from each and every track,
but for the most part I really do believe that any metal-fan will, and the ones
that don’t get feel the rush when songs as “Hell Bent For Leather” and
“Breaking The Law” get going should buy some Westlife records and give up on
metal altogether. (JJJJJJ)
Too Bad Eugene; Moonlighting
Tooth and Nail Records
You’ve probably seen an advertisement
for this album for some time on this page, but there hasn’t been a review up
until now, because I just recently got the CD. And it was worth the wait, so
you can all now go out and buy it. Why? Because I said so, that’s why! No,
really, it’s a good album. It surprised me a little actually, because I heard
their debut-album when it came out on Rock City, and wasn’t impressed by it. I
mean, it wasn’t particularly bad or anything, it just didn’t go anywhere beyond
what was being played at pop/punk radio at the time, and years prior to that
actually. The new album “Moonlighting” might not offer anything new or
groundbreaking to this ever-growing scene, but at least it shows a band that is
evolving and maturing, and a band that simply writes better songs. They’re not
so overly poppy this time around, and a bunch of well-varied rock-songs crafted
by intelligent and spiritual lyrics that go beyond the typical
girl-meats-boy/girl-leaves-boy lyrics and a lot of tempo-changes in the
song-structures, shows what the previous album didn’t, namely that Too Bad
Eugene do have other things in their record-collections than MxPx and Green
Day. It is only logical that Too Bad Eugene has evolved and matured during the
years, but it is funny that they’re this much better, as they are now spending
less time playing music than ever before. I don’t know if they played music
fulltime when they released their debut-album, but I am pretty sure they played
music fulltime while being apart of the pop/punk band Craig’s Brother. Now primarily
focusing on family, school and work, and only playing music on the side, these
musicians are actually better than ever before, and man do we like it. (JJJJJJ)
The
Rest of this month’s albums
Danny Blitz; Hollywood
Doorslammer Records
This guy hammers
the nail on every new-punk cliché in the book with songs about dating
supermodels and typical speedy pop-punk melodies. And even though it usually
gets boring and old rather quickly when bands do this, Danny Blitz has created
some very memorable and funny songs that just won’t leave you after you’ve
heard them. For starters there is the title-track, ”Hollywood”, that hits all
the way home with its really appealing chorus, and then there’s this really
funny and radio-friendly song, “If Ozzy Was My Dad (That Would Rock)”, which is
actually this bands first single, and probably the song that will push these
guys into stardom, as it has already been licensed to the second season of The
Osbournes, where a lot of people will hear it. Anyways, as the ten tracks go by
the fun-factor kinda starts to wear off, but hey, that’s how it goes, when you
do the same thing over and over again. As a whole though, this is a pretty good
album, at least if you’re looking for some entertainment. If you’re longing to
be educated though, I’ advice you to go library or just to freakin’ show up at
school every once in a while, you miserable piece of shit, you. (JJJJJJ)
Mark Boals; The Edge Of The World
Frontiers Records (Provided by Nordic Metal)
Another Frontiers
artist who has a nice resume, fronting both Ted Nugent’s Band Yngwie
Malmsteen’s Risin Force at some point in his carrier, but who is fairly unknown
in the modern music-world. If you asked a regular music-fan in Denmark if
they’d ever heard of Mark Boals, I am pretty sure that most of them would say
no, and if any at all, the only ones to answer yes would probably be the ones
who’ve been fans of Yngwie Malmsteen over the years. In Japan however, this guy
is pretty popular, at least within melodic rock and metal circles, and BURRN!
Magazine’s readers awarded him as the “Best Overall Singer” in 1999. This, his
third solo-recording kind of took me of guard with it’s dance-friendly sounds
in the intro. However, it didn’t take too long until Mark & Co. broke into
some serious neo-classical and melodic hard rock, which is pretty much what
this record overall has to offer. (JJJJJJ)
Seana Carmody; Struts & Shocks
Kimchee Records
Seana Carmody
is no stranger to the international rock-scene. She has previously tried out
her vocal-abilities in the noise-pop outfit Swirlies and later in Syrup USA,
but now after a few years of silence she’s back. Only now it is time for her
debut-album as a solo-artist. Traces of the noise-pop and shoegazer-sound Seana
Carmody has flirted with in the past are evident on “Struts & Shocks”, but
even though it’s noise-pop and shoegazer that have been shaping Seana as an
artist, those are not all that she can do, and those are not really all that
she is anymore either. Let’s just say that on “Struts & Shocks” she has
created a great indie-pop album heavy on dreamy passages, shifting tempos and
quiet arrangements with the addition of an occasional wall of distortion, and
that it rocks. (JJJJJJ)
Thomas DiMuzio; Mono:Poly
Asphodel Ltd. (Provided by Rooftop
Promotion)
Now, normally, as I’ve stated before as
reviewing some pretty cutting-edge industrial releases in the past, I see my
self as a person having an open mind towards music in all its shapes and forms,
and I would be the last person on earth to tell you, that you only get music if
you combine guitars, basses and drums, or cellos and violas, or a whole new set
of instruments for that matter. Music can be a lot of things, and while some
conservative minds wouldn’t even wanna call this music, it truly is. I mean,
really, who has the definite definition of music? Music can be the rain hitting
the roof on a rainy night. Music can be the sounds of the river, the birds
singing, and who’s to say that the thunder isn’t music too? Anyways, Thomas
DiMuzio has made a career out of creating electro-acoustic soundcapes that, at
least this time around, will test your patience. We’re talking abstract
sound-pictures all done in an intelligent manner, but just like with abstract
paintings, most people are likely not to get this. People will see this as
noise, and while it’s true that there are lots of noises floating around in the
overall sound-pictures, there are also relaxing elements of ambience to come
across. I really do like some of the elements in Thomas DiMuzio’s music,
especially the relaxing parts, but, really, it goes on for too freakin’ long,
man. We’re talking two hours here, spanning over to whole CD’s, and with sounds
that seem to repeat themselves even after 40 minutes, this is bound to be a
long ride, even for the most open-minded of listeners. (JJJJJJ)
Dogwood; Seismic
Tooth and Nail Records
I’ve been a fan of the Tooth and Nail
label for years and years. Actually, I’ve been with them practically all along -
first as a fan and then later on as a reviewer - and with the early artists as
varied and well playing as Starflyer 59, Sometime Sunday and MxPx, I knew I
would be in it for the long run. And so I was, but the funny thing is that even
though Dogwood have been on Tooth and Nail for quite a while now, and before
that on other labels that I’ve also found to be important for the growing
independent music-scene, I’ve never checked them out before, even though
reviewers have been going on and on about how freaking good they were… Well,
the new release, “Seismic”, was finally an opportunity for me to get into this
band and find out what the buzz was all about, and while I expected something
else, I agree with other reviewers when they say that Dogwood is a good rock-band.
I’ve always heard them compared to other Tooth and Nail pop/punk artists such
as MxPx and the likes, but if that has been the case up until now, then Dogwood
have changed their sound quite a bit lately. While still pop/punk in nature,
there’s still some distance between the speedy bubble-gum pop/punk of New Found
Glory to this. Dogwood have managed to grace their punk-rock songs with
thought, power and emotion instead of just doing it safe, and that’s what in
the end makes this record stick out of the crowd a bit. (JJJJJJ)
DragonForce; Valley of the Damned
Noise Records (Provided by Nordic Metal)
With a drummer from France, a
keyboard-player from Ukraine, a singer from South Africa, a guitarist from
England, and yet another guitarist from Hong Kong, this indeed is an as
multi-national band as possibly can be, and while this might sound cliché, I
also think it’s a perfect testimony that people from all over the world can
join forces in order to create something positive together while living together
in harmony. But no matter how good that might sound on paper, the truth is that
this gifted and young band, counting members that are born as late as in 1982,
have not quite found their own sound yet, and as the
standard-power-metal-formula songs on “Valley of the Damned” pass by,
DragonForce seem get more and more repetitive and predictable, while sounding
too much like any other power metal band you could possibly imagine, which is
ok, as long as you are not dreaming about becoming the new Hammerfall. “Evening
Star” however, is a class-example how a good speed/power metal song should be
played. (JJJJJJ)
Edenbridge; Aphelion
Massacre Records (Provided by Nordic
Metal)
Power metal
reviewers have stood in line to praise this Austrian band, and I just can’t
understand why? I mean, yeah sure, everything on here is played to an A, and
the vocals of the their female vocalist also reach the highest notes, but
really do they fit this bands style? If you ask me, then they don’t. I’ve been
listening to this album a few times these last couple of days, and I must say
that I just can’t get into it, and yeah, it’s mostly because of Sabine
Edelsbacher’s vocals, because even though she actually has a great voice, as
the lead-singer in Edenbridge she really doesn’t do much else than to annoy me.
Austria is famous for producing a lot of classical music; maybe Sabine should
consider a career within this kind of music instead. I wasn’t too fond of
Edenbridge’s album “Arcana”, which was released last year, but this release excites
me even less. But hey, that’s just me: one reviewer against the world, really?
(JJJJJJ)
Exmortem; Pestilence Empire
Osmose Productions (Provided by Nordic
Metal)
There has been a bit of a buzz in the
Danish metal-underground regarding this band ever since they signed with
Hammerheart and released their previous album “Berzerker Legions” in 2001.
However, I do not have the slightest idea if metal-fans outside of Denmark are
taking the death metal of Exmortem to heart. All I know is, that Exmortem are
not with Hammerheart anymore, and that they’ve already signed a new deal, this
time with the just as extreme oriented metal-label Osmose Productions. The band
started way back in 1992 under the name Mordor, and even though I have no idea
why they decided to change the name, I keep wondering if it wouldn’t be a great
name to be carrying in these ever so popular Tolkien/“Lord Of The Rings” times
we’re in right now? Anyways, I can’t say that I am overly impressed with the
music found on “Pestilene Empire.” It’s not all that bad really, it’s just that
it has been done and heard before, and in many cases even much better that
this. There isn’t even anything this band hasn’t tried out before on there, and
because of that it just seems like Exmortem are repeating them-selves. It’s
cool to see more and more metal-labels signing Danish bands though, and
hopefully Exmortem will follow the example of Hatesphere next time around with
an a bit more inspiring album. (JJJJJJ)
Fabulous Disaster; Panty Raid
Pink & Black Records
After their great debut-album from 2001
“Put Out Or Get Out”, the all-girl punk-outfit Fabulous Disaster are now ready
to release their sophomore record, and from what I hear modern rock radio has
already been all over opener and one of this records best cuts “Next Big
Joyride”, and that was only in a rough mix. I’ll probably get all smacked up
for saying this, but when I looked at the inlay-card pictures of the four
band-members of Fabulous Disaster, I though to myself; “they must be lesbians.”
I honestly I didn’t know, but it turns out that three of them actually are
lesbians. I don’t know, perhaps it was a guess, but sometimes you just can
tell, like when looking at half of the Danish women’s handball team. See what I
mean? Well, lesbians or not, Fabulous Disaster once more prove that women
definitely know how to rock and roll, and even more importantly that women know
how to play punk-rock. And they don’t even have to take their clothes off in
order to please the male crowds either. Thank God for that. Would someone
please tell those ugly girls in Rockbitch that they shouldn’t either? Ok, I’ve
said enough already. This is great, entertaining and catchy punk-rock. Get. (JJJJJJ)
Good Clean Fun; Positively Positive 1997-2002
Equal Vision (Provided by Nordic Metal)
Apparently,
this band has been an underground classic for years, and it hasn’t passed the
eyes and ears of Equal Vision, that now have released most of what the band released
from 1997 to 2002, as well as a few unreleased tracks. And with 29 songs + an
interview that all clock in less than an hour, I think you can say that this is
in the true punk- rock spirit. And yet it isn’t. Good Clean Fun’s straight edge
hardcore-stylings are much more about having fun that any other thing,
and there really isn’t much anger to find on this thing, and why should there
be – I mean, there should be someone out there who has gotten somewhat
satisfied through the first area of life, right? “Positively Positive” is a
good record, but, honestly, I think it could’ve been cut with about ten songs,
in order to get even better, because it tends to get a little repetitive after
a while, but at least, when that happens, they add some humor to it all, saving
the listener from being completely unsatisfied. Favorite cut: “Last Night I
Dreamt An Emo Kid Loved Me.” (JJJJJJ)
Ron House; Obsessed
Moses Carryout Records
First off, you gotta give it to any
songwriter who’s as honest as Ron House, because honest that’s exactly what Ron
House is – and honest to the bone, at that too, and even though you probably
don’t care if he had a seven year long relationship with a lady that, as he
says it himself, fucked like a beast, you otherwise can’t help but noticing
that Ron is pouring out details of his life, most other people much rather
would keep to themselves. Apparently Ron House is normally treading his shoes
in American punk-bands, but here he has chosen to let his punk-side rest, while
just depending on his voice, his acoustic guitar, and a guest-appearance every
once in a while, but no matter how well-meant this might be, you can’t help but
noticing that Ron House just isn’t the best singer out there, and while his
voice may be fitted for punk-rock in general, singer-songwriter type stuff,
just doesn’t seem to be his thing – not while sounding like any other American
singer-songwriter with a guitar, anyway. Perhaps the story could’ve been
different, if Ron had chosen to add a little more of the Danielson Family
weirdness of “My Heart” to the overall sound of the album, as that one, even
though it might unveil a terrible voice, is right up there with the
singer-songwriter stuff labels like SoundsFamilyre and Ashmatic Kitty are known
for releasing. Mostly though, it seems like this guy should stick with loud
guitars and shouty vocals. (JJJJJJ)
Jesse James; Punk, Soul, Brothers
Golf Records (Provided by Nordic Metal)
Having toured with the likes of Bowling
For Soup, Spunge, Pogues and Brian Setzer, and having videos in heavy rotation
on Kerrang TV! these guys just might become youth-favorites before they know
it. However, that doesn’t change the fact, that these guys pretty much sound
like any ska band you’d come across in 1996, which probably, for some people,
will be enough reason to avoid them like the plague. Anyways, from where I am
sitting they, at least, should get a pat on the back for sticking with ska even
after the genre, commercially speaking, came crashing. But, really, your life
won’t change after listening to Jesse James, even though it, if only for a few
minutes, might bring you back to your prom night, where some local ska-band
played “your” song for you and your high-school sweetheart, which made you walk
on clouds that whole night, the night after, and perhaps even the whole week,
or at least until she dumped you for the next guy. But hey, let’s just forget
about that. Let’s just party like it’s 1996… (JJJJJJ)
Katafalk; Storm Of The Horde
Coldblood Industries
Ok, here’s another death metal band
that, quite frankly, do not intend to bring anything new to the genre of death
metal. I know, I keep saying this, but if the new bands want to stand out of
the crowd of, well, any overcrowded music-genre, they have to create something
fresh and something unique, or else the music-buyer can just as well stick to
the records he already has in his collection – records he knows deliver. Dutch
death metallers Katafalk have not come up with something overly original on
this, their debut-disk, and, really, it’s also therefore that they probably
won’t become one of the hot-shots within this genre anytime soon. They’re good
musicians, though, and especially “Blind Envy” shows a band that is capable of
much more than evident throughout most of this disk. If you, however, only want
your death metal to be nothing but brutal and well played at that, then this
might be worth getting, but otherwise it probably won’t. (JJJJJJ)
Kaspar Hauser; The Tin Can Gong
Spacesuit Records
When seeing the name Kaspar Hauser, I
though to myself that this was another one of those typical American
singer/songwriter projects, done by some dude called Kaspar Hauser, and while
outfit doesn’t feature any member whose name is either Kaspar or Hauser, this
is pretty much your average American singer/songwriter stuff. Of course, with
an album-title like “The Tin Can Gong” it’s bound to differ a little in the
overall sound from time to time, and so it does, as it features healthy doses
of rock and pop, as well as folk, alt-country and even lo-fi indie. Fans of
everyone from Johnny Cash to Sixteen Horsepower might find something to chew on
here, but don’t expect Kaspar Hauser to be quite up their with the previously
mentioned artists just yet. This is alright stuff though, even though it
perhaps might come across a little too depressive at times, but it definitely
has its’ moments. (JJJJJJ)
Elaine Lachica; 9
Self-released
According to Elaine Lachica herself her
music is best described as “Alternative-Soul Ethereal Electro-Acoustic Soundscapes”
– whatever that means? Elaine has both studied music and acting in her time,
and if she combines the two of those, I bet her live-shows are more than worth
seing, as you’d be getting the whole package at once, which isn’t always what
is in store for concert goers in these “get-up-there-everyone-who-has-a-guitar”
times. I also think that the music of Elaine probably is more suitable for
litening to in concert rather than hearing at home on the couch, but this is
all guessing, of course, which isn’t t say that this can’t be enjoyed at home.
It can. It’s just that sometimes it can lull you to sleep before it manages to
capture your attention, which means that you’ll have to focus on the music, or
else it can quickly become nothing but distant sounds somewhere in background.
You’ll have to be in the mood for it when hearing. And what will you have to be
in the mood for then? Well, you’ll have to be in the mood for some minimalist
electro-acoustic singer-songwriter stuff that is filled with electronic
noise-patterns and ambient sound-structures, which at times makes one think
about Radiohead’s funnier moments only fronted by Tori Amos instead of Thom
Yorke. (JJJJJJ)
The Larch; Pouters, Rollers and Runts
Self-released
While hearing
the first song on this album, I imagined that I was about to hear an album on
the lighter side of the ska/reggae fence. And, well, after listening through
the nine tracks, I am still holding on to, at least, that we’re on the lighter
side of the fence, even though I am not quite sure which fence we’re talking
about, because as the songs roll by, the ska-sound of “Sushi Habit” becomes
less and less apparent. In stead we’re going down the road of simplistic and
melodic pop/rock, which actually turns out to be quite pleasant, even when
running into a country song somewhere along the way. The Larch was until
recently a trio, but shortly before this release Liza Garelik was added to the
line-up as a back-ground singer, and while that might not sound of much, it is
certainly hard to imagine this band going anywhere without her, as she simply
lifts the simple pop-songs to a whole other level. (JJJJJJ)
The Maybellines; Chatfield Holiday
Best Friends Records
When seeing the
cartoon-ish cover to this album, I was pretty much getting ready for another
pop/punk album by another American newcomer band, and while there certainly are
pop/punk influences somewhere in there, The Maybellines find themselves much
more on the indie-side of things with simple and laid-back sound-structures
fuelled by the sweet female-vocals of their lead-singer, whose name is nowhere
to be found in the liner-notes. “Chatfield Holiday” could go either way or no
way at all, really. It could appeal to both indie and pop/punk kids, as it has
both the slower indie-like songs as well as a few up-tempo pop/punk songs. On
the other hand, there just might be too little of either things for either
indie or pop/punk fans to get into it. Me, I don’t care. To me music is music,
and I don’t care what kind of music it is, just as long as it’s good, and while
this isn’t the best things I’ve ever heard, it’s quite pleasant most of the
time. For more info check out: www.bestfriendsrecords.com.
(JJJJJJ)
Nemesis; Eden
Sensory Records
(Provided by Intromental Management)
Hungarian music is not exactly something
that is piling up on our “CD’s that need to reviewed” desk, but there does come
an Hungarian CD along every once in a while, and, well, “Eden” by progressive
metal act Nemesis is one of the more enjoyable ones of the kind. Apparently,
this band released two CD’s that were sung in their own language, which quickly
made them become one of the most popular progressive metal acts in Hungary, but
after a while the band realized that the progressive metal world outside of
Hungary wasn’t going to get as crazy about them as they were at home, which
made them call their quite for a while. Later on, though, they got back together,
deciding to rewrite their whole back-catalogue, and while at it, changing the
lyrics into English as well, which lead to the release of “Eden” and another
album that will see a release sometime this year. Just as much as the two
previous recordings didn’t put Nemesis on the international progressive metal
map, I am hoping that this one will, as it’s actually a quite good collection
of complex metal songs, and for whatever it’s worth, it is original too, as it
has a Hungarian folk-touch to it as well. Overall this might not blow
influences such as Dream Theater out in the water, but then again who does? (JJJJJJ)
The New
Christs; We Got This!
Laughing
Outlaw Records
You’ve got you Hives, You’ve got your
Strokes and you’ve got your White Stripes riding the retro-wave these days, but
if you want something that’s a little closer to the original sound of the 70’s,
something that’s a little closer to the real
deal, you’ve got to check out The New Christs. At least these guys are old
enough to remember the 70’s, even though The New Christs first started playing
in the early 80’s some 20 years ago. However, Rob Younger who fronts this band
was also the front man of the Australian 70’s band Radio Birdman. The New
Christs, however, still burst out down-right dirty 70’s garage-rock n’ roll
that brings bands such as MC5 and The Stooges to mind, and even though The New
Christs bring a modern touch to the table, as well as a few songs that are a
little less furious and little more varied than the ones of the previously mentioned
bands, I don’t see The New Christs following The strokes or The Datsuns in
radio-airplay nor in album-sales, but I bet a song like “Split It Out” will
keep the any of those new retro-bands awake at night, because they didn’t think
of writing a song like that. It rips. (JJJJJJ)
Seventh Avenue;
Between The Words
Massacre Records
(Provided by Nordic Metal)
Even though Massacre Records in no way
can be accused off being a religious record-label, more and more bands that are
in some way connected to Christian music or Christian faith get signed to the
label. First we had Veni Domine, then Saviour Machine, then the new and reborn
Eva O, Wisdom Call, Virgin Black, as well as bands like Antithesis, Balance Of
Power and Rob Rock, that aren’t necessarily Christian artists, but bands where
one or more band-members are Christians – and bands that have been seen playing
gigs at Christian live-venues. Well, you can add Seventh Avenue to the list.
Having been a popular act within Christian underground metal-circles for years,
it now seems that these guys are finally getting ready for a jump into the big
leagues, and if you’re into classic or melodic metal you might just as well
check Seventh Avenue out, as it is fairy good, but even “Between The Words”
kicks the living shit out of all their previous releases, it’s not too likely
that it’ll lead them into heavy metal stardom. (JJJJJJ)
Somehow Hollow; Busted Wings and Rusted Halos
Victory Records (Provided by Nordic Metal)
It seems like Victory Records have been putting
out quite a bit of poppy stuff lately, and while I am totally into the
hardcore-stuff the label made a name for itself releasing, I am also a sucker
for a good, hook-filled chorus, and those are a specialty for new modern rock
sensations Somehow Hollow, who quickly are rising from the ashes of former
punk-rock favorites Grade. While Somehow Hollow’s delicious melodic rock-tunes
have punk-leanings and an occasional emo-feel, they’re style can be described
as nothing but pure modern rock, and with strong melodic guitar-leads and
choruses that go straight to the heart, as well as songs like “Busted Stereos
And Myself” and “The Witch Of Glen Gedar Gate” these guys should have an
audience for themselves in no time, as well as being all over American modern
rock radio. But no matter how good that may sounds, somebody’s gotta tell the
lead-singer of theirs, that he’s not fronting Blink 182 or MxPx. (JJJJJJ)
Spiv; Don’tcha Know
Pop Sweatshop
The guy on the cover of this album, who
I assume is the guy referred to as Spiv in this context, really looks a whole
lot like Elvis Presley. Yeah, he does, with the hair-style and everything. On
the other side of the cover, he even does a real Elvis move while holding en
electric guitar, while the whole atmosphere drips of the 60’s. This guy seems
to know and love his Elvis, and it even shows a little in his music. I mean,
this is not totally 50’s rock n’ roll, but it definitely has a 50/60’s vibe to
it, though. We’re talking really entertaining and catchy rock music here with
memorable sing-a-long choruses and the whole package. Unfortunately, though, it
seems like several of the 10 songs featured here, were also featured on an EP
released earlier, which by no means will please the people who bought the EP
and liked it, and therefore also intend by this one. However, I never got that
CD, so I won’t get all irritated here. I just wanted to let you know, just so
you could think twice before spending money on just a few new tracks. Anyway,
move on shall we. People who have no knowledge of the previous EP can all
gladly invest in this one. Don’t believe me? Check out the fabulous
“Everybody’s A Rock Star Tonight”, which also was the title-track on the
previously mentioned EP. That song on its’ own is worth getting the whole CD
for, even if you think the rest of it sucks. Yeah, it’s that good. Truth is
though, that the rest of the CD doesn’t suck, and even though none of the other
tracks may hit you as hard as “Everybody’s A Rock Star Tonight”, there are
still quite a few enjoyable pop songs to get into here. (JJJJJJ)
SupaRed; SupaRed
Noise Records (Provided by Nordic Metal)
Last month I
reviewed the band Masterplan, a band consisting of Helloween members, and now
we’re introduced to yet another Helloween-member fronted band, this time in
shape of the former Helloween-singer Michael Kiske. Helloween and SupaRed do
not have many things in common though, and why should they? SupaRed is strictly
a catchy and extremely ear-friendly rock-band, that has a way of getting all
the chouses to become those ever so popular sing-a-longs. Take track six
(“Hey”) for instance. Who can say that they didn’t want to jump up and down the
couch when hearing it, while shouting out the words of the song as soon as
getting them memorized? Or even sooner, it doesn’t matter? The first time I was
half-way through this record, I thought to myself, “Oh, my God, this has to be
the album of the month”, but then, unfortunately, a few rather dull and
imaginable ballads came along and took a little from the otherwise so excellent
presentation this band had placed before my feet. But if you can look beyond a
few totally unnecessary ballads, this just might become one of your favorite
jump-up-and-down-the-couch-album of late. (JJJJJJ)
Stairway; On
Hallowed Ground
Self-released
In my review of this bands previous
album I said that they’d been around since the early 90’s, but now I’ve read
elsewhere that they’ve actually been around for 25 years, and it turns out that
this is only their third release in all this time, which kind of makes you
wonder what the heck these guys have been doing with their time. Playing old
Iron Maiden covers? Probably not, since this is a christian band, but they do
sound a bit like Iron Maiden, though. They also sound a bit like old christian
heavy metal bands such as Barren Cross, Leviticus and Sacred Warrior. So as you
probably already have guessed these guys never got out of the 80’s, and that
they never bothered to update their sound in order to be cool. And cool they’re
not! But hey, why should they, they’re like in their 40’s or something. These
guys should just stick their guns and do what they do best, and that is to play
their traditional heavy metal. But it turns out that they also manage to play
some smokin’ blues just fine (In “Foolish Heart”), so perhaps they should also
continue to do a bit of that too. So how do I like it? Well, this wouldn’t be
on the top of my purchase list or anything (that is, if I hadn’t gotten it for
free already), but it’s pretty good for those days when you’re in the mood for
some traditional heavy metal, though. (JJJJJJ)
30 Day Warranty; Together We Stand…
Self-released
Here’s another
hopeful American pop/punk trio that, even though they sounds much like most of
the big-shot skate-punk bands out there, probably won’t make it into the big
leagues. The thing with this band, however, is that they are desperately in
need of songs that stick with you after you’ve turned the CD off, and while
that may sound like a big problem on its’ own, there are actually bigger issues
at risk. It’s quite common within the current pop-punk scene to have singers
that aren’t exactly good, well, singers. A lot of them have problems with
reaching the right notes, and 30 Day Warranty defiantly is one of them. You
won’t always care in the faster songs that have enough of power and energy
going to make you forget about things as actually hitting the right
ending-notes, but in the slower songs like “Farewell”, however, you’ll probably
be wishing these guys took some song-lessons when they were in school. If you
ask me, Id say that these guys need to stick to the faster and energetic songs,
while letting those awful semi-ballads slide, but really, there’ve been seen
worse cases than this, and some of those have even become rock-stars. (JJJJJJ)
Tipsy; Remix Party
Asphodel Ltd. (Provided by Rooftop Promotion)
It’s always hard for a reviewer to find
anything to write about a remix or tribute album when one has never heard the
artist that’s being remixed, or the artist that’s being paid tribute to. Well,
so is the case with this release, where 14 artists pay tribute to Tipsy, the
electronica duo from San Francisko. When you’ve never heard any of the previous
Tipsy albums, you can’t tell if these remix-versions have improved upon the
original songs or if they’ve fallen flat on their asses. So instead of drawing
lines between this, and the actual Tipsy stuff from the past, I’ll just have to
tell you what is to be found on this recording, and if I like it. Well, if this
is anything to go by, it seems that Tipsy might be the band to check out, and
it seems like they’ve been quite influential too, as the artists paying tribute
to them here, actually hail from all over the world, from Liverpool and London,
to Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Brussels, Zurich, Vienna, Los Angeles, Las Vegas etc.
Matmos, another band that, like Tipsy, come from San Francisco, start this
thing with a killer track (“Schatzi A Go Go”) that’s only topped by St.
Petersburg’s Messer Chups and their version of “Hey!”. There are a few tracks
that don’t do much for this reviewer, but most of them are actually quite
charming in their own way, and overall, I’d say, that this is a fine
electronica album that gives us a taste of the electronical music-scene almost
worldwide. Favorite cuts besides the ones I’ve already mentioned are “Reverse
Cowgirl” by People Like Us, and “Sweet Cinnamon Punch” by High Llamas. (JJJJJJ)
Unruly Child; UC III
Frontiers Records (Provided by Nordic Metal)
Unruly Child is
yet another melodic hard rock and AOR band that had to head down into the
underground for a living, after Nirvana and the whole grunge-thing shaped the
rock-industry in the early 90’ties. Once signed to majors Interscope, Unruly
Child found themselves fired and without a label after the self-titled
debut-release in 1992, but they’ve stuck to the dream and to their love for
music ever since whatsoever. Here some 10 years later the band is still at it
and releases another album that not surprisingly and in fact does sound a
little out of date, at least if you turn on the modern rock radio. It sounds
like these guys got stuck back in the 80’ties, and even though they didn’t even
start until 1990, and even though they probably could’ve been big if it wasn’t
for the whole alternative rock scene in the 90’s, it sounds like grunge never
happened when Unruly Child lay down their melodic and catchy AOR-songs that are
not short of good and ear-friendly choruses. But even though this for the most
part is fairly good, these guys loose some credibility when they choose to do
some extremely bad, almost boyband-ish ballad-thing in “Bring Me Home.” Sorry
guys, but that is utter crap. Stick to what you’re good at, and leave those
awful lighter-ballads to Westlife and the likes. (JJJJJJ)
The User; Symphony #2 for Dot Matrix Printers (Vinyl Edition)
Asphodel Ltd. (Provided by Rooftop Promotion)
Ever wondered what happens when an
architect and a composer join forces to create some sonic noise together? Well,
I haven’t, but those of you who have, can, at least, hear one example in this
duet named The User. But let me first tell you that this is weird. This doesn’t
even qualify as music in a lot of people’s minds, as this doesn’t feature any
instruments or any vocals. It doesn’t even features computer made rhythms and
beats, as we know them from most of the dance/techno music that fills the
airwaves today. What is it then? Well, this is the closest you’ll ever come to
hear a choir of printers singing together, or at least a big band of printers
jamming together. Yeah, you heard me: Printers. Emmanuel Madan and Thomas
McIntosh have actually done a completely different and previously unheard
experiment, namely to sample and play back the sounds of vintage dot matrix
printers using customized midi controllers that were specially made for turning
vintage dot matrix printers into sound modules. And how was the result? Well,
for starters it was different, but also a little too much of the same ting,
considering that this goes on for 41 minutes, because really, there are only so
many sounds that can come out of an old printer, right? Don’t know, really, but
I know that this record has its share of dullness as well as its share of
excitement. This was a terrific idea, a strange one, but still a good one, even
though all of what came out of it didn’t turn into gold. I believe this will
appeal just as much to fans of the original industrial/noise music as it will
to the typical fans of the electronic music the Asphodel label is known for
putting out, even though most of that is quite cutting edge, really. All in all
this is extremely original and very interesting, but it is also a little
repetitive. It brings back the memories of my first printer, though. Geez, did
they really sound like that? We’ve come a long way for sure. (JJJJJJ)
Various Artists; Another Round Of Golf Vol. 4
Golf Records
(Provided by Nordic Metal)
This compilation is a good opportunity
to get an idea of what’s going on with British Golf Records. The previous three
label-samplers of the kind were pretty popular, and from the content on this
one, I can’t see why this one shouldn’t be too. 17 tracks from 10 of the bands
that are currently on Golf Records, and some of the stuff hasn’t even been
released before. The best song on this thing, though, has been out for quite a
while - two, almost three years, actually. I’m talking about the Less Than Jake
son “Look What Happened” from the “Borders and Boundaries” album, which simply
is a classic happy punk-song that’s so freakin’ good, that is almost impossible
not to like, and while there certainly aren’t songs on here that are that good,
there still is some good punk and ska-sounds to please your ears. Ska-kings
Mighty Mighty Bosstones start things off with two of their tracks, and while
not their best tunes altogether, they set a great mood for the rest of this
sampler. Newcomers Jesse James try out a little ska too, but fail to get under
your skin, while newcomer female pop/punk outfit, Tuuli, do exactly that. The most
pleasant surprise, though, - besides the Less Than Jake track, that is – is
Thrice, that with a good blend of melodic punk and shouty post-hardcore seem to
be the band with the brightest future ahead of them. (JJJJJJ)
Various
Artists; Better Undead Than Alive
Code666
There are quite a few compilations in
this issue, aren’t there? Well, here’s another one… Italian record-label
Code666 have been bursting out some of the most seriously ill black metal
around for years now, and here’s a chance to catch a wave and see what the fuzz
is all about. “Better Undead Than Alive” is a collection of some of the music
you might expect to be released by Code666. Some of the tracks on this
compilation have been released before, but they’re all re-mastered for the occasion,
and then there are quite a few tracks that have never been released before,
making this a release fans of the label will not want to pass by. There are 24
tracks on this double-album thing, and while most of it is in the typical black
metal style the label has made themselves a name in releasing, there’s also an
occasional moment of death metal, classical, opera, industrial, ambient and
even a little techno-ish beats at one point, which is all adding a little
variation to the album as a whole and that way also making it better. This
reviewers favorite cuts are as follows: Atrox; “Lay”, Manes; “Redeemer” and
Thee Maddoror Kollektive; “Xaos DNA Released.” (JJJJJJ)
Various
Artists; First Blood Denmark
Alphalota
Music (Provided by Nordic Metal)
I’ve said this before, but having
reviewed and written about music in Danish e-zines since 1998, I must say that
extremely little Danish material has seen its way into my mail-box, and having
read music-magazines from foreign countries for years, I must also say, that
Danish music, or at least metal, isn’t widely know among metal-fans throughout
the world. A few Danish bands have signed good deals the last few years,
though, and with this sampler that features some of the best metal from the
Danish underground hopefully a few more will too. Anyways, “First Blood
Denmark” kicks off with a band (Mercenary) that is already signed to
Hammerheart Records, and still a band that I’ve never really listened to. I
must admit from what I am hearing here, that I’ve made a mistake never checking
them out, because if the track featured on this compilation (“Seize The Night”)
is anything to go by, then they’ve proven themselves to be one of the better
bands in Danish metal-history. Another already signed Danish band, Exmortem,
isn’t exactly that good. We’ve already reviewed their new album on Osmose
Productions in this issue, and even though this track is from their previous
album on Hammerheart Records, there isn’t much to add. Past and Present Music
has also dealt with bands like Corpus Mortale, Urkraft, Spine and Blindfault
before, and the metallic hardcore-stylings of the tracks featured by Spine and
Blindfault are sure to please metal-fans around the world. The same can be said
about the featured tracks by like-minded bands such as Mugshot and Mindlock.
“Music Is Dead” by # 213 is another track to check out, as is the delicious
guitar soloing in “Solen Brænder Ihjel” by melodic death metal act Urkraft.
Other than that Iniquity is worth a mention. Their track “Bloodletting” is a furious
dose of grindcore that unlike most grindcore that has been reviewed in this
zine actually is quite varied and appealing. But, really, there’s never a
compilation without a few filler tracks, and out of the 16 tracks on this
thing, there are a few tracks that come across as a bit weak, and certainly not
as the best the Danish metal-underground has to offer, and at that the Danish
metallic pride and joy, Saturnus, come across as the weakest of them all.
However, if you’re looking for a good way to get into some of the music found
in the Danish metal-underground, this might be a as good place as any to start
digging. But please, won’t someone tell me why the by far best Danish
underground-act, Kloak, is nowhere to be found on this thing? (JJJJJJ)
Various Artists;
45 Seconds of:
Simballrec
(Provided by Rooftop promotion)
This is a bit of an odd one really,
showcasing 45 seconds of 99 different tracks made by 84 different artists.
Yeah, you heard me, 45 seconds of 99 different tracks, and we’re not dealing with
the most popular and radio-friendly pop-songs either. We’re talking all kinds
of weird and experimenting electronic-music, which only gets even more weird
when songs suddenly stop after 45 seconds without a fade-out, or when the
following track just starts right there without a fade-in or even a one
second-long break or something. I’ll tell you what this is: This is
interesting. This is original. This is trippy. But it’s also a bit too much to
swallow at times. But for people, like myself, who enjoy music that’s goes a
little beyond what’s being played on the radio these days, this just might turn
out to be a pleasant surprise. (JJJJJJ)
Various Artists; Music From And Inspired
By The Motion Picutre 8 Mile
Shady/Interscope Records
Eminem is just so hot right not. Not
only is he snapping all music-prices he can possibly be nominated for after
having released the perhaps best hip hop album of last year, but now he’s also
debuting as an actor. The film “8 Mile” had premier in Europe in January. The story
is about a hard-working young Detroit hip hopper who dreams about becoming a
star, and it easily reflects some things from Eminem’s own life, even though
the movie is not actually about Eminem and his life. But that’s not all. With
Eminem’s newest album “The Eminem Show” still running hot, he’s already ready
with new material for the movie’s soundtrack. 4 tracks actually, and after
hearing the rest of the soundtrack that includes big stars from the mainstream
hip hop scene as well as lesser known acts signed to Eminem’s own label Shady
Records, it’s quite obvious why he’s gotten so big. Practically no one within
the hip hop and rap scene of today can touch him, and no one does on this disk
either. I mean Jay-Z, Nas, Rakim, D12 and Macy Gray do it fairly well, but
nowhere near songs like Eminem’s own “Lose Yourself” and ”Rabbit Run”, and
while Eminem’s tracks are all top notch and a few others are well on their way,
this soundtrack just doesn’t seem to be showcasing all the best hip hop has to
offer or beyond. (JJJJJJ)
New
album: cheap!
Bon Jovi; Bounce
Island
This album
really hasn’t been out that long, but no matter what, it has already been seen
reduced with 66,6 % (oh no, there’s that number again. Could it be? Bon Jovi?
Satanic puddle-rockers? Maybe we should ask Jimmy Swaggart about it, I bet he’d
now) of the original price in big Danish chain stores. But why? Well, my guess
is that Danish people found out after the last album, that it isn’t worth keep
getting their albums, because there’s always just one good song on them. Or at
least it has been for the last couple of albums, and history repeats itself on
“Bounce.” Only this time there really isn’t any obvious “It’s My Life” or
“Living On A Prayer” to make your day. Instead you get more of the boring and
easily forgettable songs that have filled their latest albums. And, really,
what would you expect from a rock-singer whose artistic highlight last year was
to star in Ally McBeal? Honestly? Yeah, I know. Maybe Jon Bon should stick to
soap operas, while the rest of them could retire early. It wouldn’t be that
early, though, and, really, what do they care, they’ve got millions of dollars
on their bank accounts anyway? (JJJJJJ)
Album
“Round-Up”; Ten quick ones:
1. Michael Monroe used to rock in
Hanoi Rocks, and guess what? He still rocks – only now he does it on his own.
His newest album “Watcha Want” (SPV - Provided by Nordic
Metal) (JJJJJJ) features 13 mostly great and timeless rock n’ roll tunes that put fun,
saxophones and hair back into rock n’ roll. This probably won’t sell a million
copies, but it will leave a smile upon the listeners face for sure… / 2. And taken
that you’re into hip hop so will “up and coming” hip hop label Syntax Records’
new compilation “Night Owls 2 – Sleep Therapy” (Syntax
Records) (JJJJJJ). As any other
label-sampler out there it features a few loose ends, but mostly we’re talking
good stuff. Artists like LA Symphony, Future Shock and Luke Geraty show a lot
of promise and are definitely worth checking out. 3. And more
compilations... Frontiers Records spoil fans of AOR, hard rock and melodic
metal rotten with their newest compilation-CD titled “The Bones” (Frontiers Records – Provided by Nordic Metal) (JJJJJJ). We’re talking two CD’s and 34 tracks with bands like Giant, Tallisman,
Two Fires and Steve Walsh’s Khymera. Fans of the genre aren’t likely to find
this many good tracks anywhere else nowadays. Favorite track? Jeff Scott Soto’s
“Eyes Of Love.” / 4. I’ve seen this
new French metal-label, Diamond Productions, searching for bands to sign. Well,
the label has found their first band, and it’s one of the uglier ones, I tell
ya. Kabbal serves a fast,
brutal and still somewhat melodic death metal rounding on “Synthetically Revived” (Diamond Productions) (JJJJJJ), but unfortunately they do it unconvincingly, which, quite frankly,
means that they sound shit. / 5. Germany’s Toxic Virgin are actually
a lot better than I expected. They play hard rock with traditional heavy metal
influences, and they do it with class. All band members play their instruments
well, and the singer sings even better. The production on “Circle of Power” (Self-released) (JJJJJJ) is good, even though it might not take Dream Evil or Hammerfall down.
With a professional producer who knows what these guys would be capable off? / 6. Apparently Cordelia’s Dad has been
beaten a lot by this girl named Camille (“Camille’s Not Afraid Of The Bam”),
but it doesn’t keep them from pouring their hearts out throughout these 14
tracks (some of which have been recorded by Steve Albini) of folk meets
indie-rock with an occasional emo break-down. “What It Is”
(Kimchee Records) (JJJJJJ) is good stuff overall, but it won’t change your life or anything, even
though it might make it a little more pleasant every now and then. / 7. And if
Cordelia’s Dad won’t change your life, then Poor Luther’s Bones won’t either,
even though any Lutheran Church goers might tell you otherwise. The 10 songs on
“That The World May Sing Far Away Music,
Honky” (Self-released) (JJJJJJ) go along in sort of a mid-tempo that border on lazy, bluesy
sound-structures and weird surf-rock. At times it’s really original and
inventive, at others it’s just confusing. This one’s for the adventurous
listeners, for sure. / 8. And so is this. People with a passion for minimalist electronic music
probably will however, find Languis and their new
album “Untied” (Simballrec – Provided by
Rooftop Promotion) (JJJJJJ) to be nothing but noise. To me, though, the ten songs on the record are
great for those chill-out moments. They’re really relaxing too, you know, but
also slightly monotonous when listened to all the way through. / 9. Who would’ve
thought, that something as furious and fast as “Septic Regurgitant” (Zombieflesh Records) (JJJJJJ) by American grindcore-youngsters Ciribus would be this
boring. Luckily though, you won’t have to suffer for too long, coz the 9 tracks
found on the release clock in less than 15 minutes, which on the other hand is
plenty. Some reviewer wrote that this was one of the most brutal releases of
2002, and while that is true, it is also one of the most boring ones. / 10. So why don’t
we end this “Album round-up” thing with the best album of the bunch? Give it up
for Victory At Sea, then. Their
third album “The Good Night” (Kimchee Records) (JJJJJJ) features some
of the most beautiful, melancholic and emotional female-fronted indie-rock
imaginable, and if that wasn’t enough, then the song “Sunny Days” actually
might be the best song found on any of the releases reviewed this month. Now
there’s a reason to check this band out.
Single/EP
of the month:
Spiritfall; Without Words
Slackjaw Publishing
Having toured
with just about anybody who is anything with the modern rock, metal and
hardcore genres, and that way gaining themselves big and loyal fan-bases
throughout America, Spiritfall just might become the next big thing before you
know it. Wanna be cool? Get this 5-song EP before they do, then. But it’s not
just because Spiritfall have shared stage with the likes of Zao, Papa Rouch,
Taproot, Alien Ant Farm, Fenix TX, Will Haven, Dredg and The Juliana Theory
that I think this band will become bigger than they are today. You see, Spiritfall
actually has nailed down 5 tunes that blow half of the bands mentioned above
out in the water. I mean, did Papa Rouch or Alien Ant Farm sound this good when
they were unsigned? I highly doubt it. They don’t sound this good now for
crying out loud. I could go on and on about this, but truth is, whatever I
might say will not hold justice to this talented band and their emotional
music. Check them out. Every song on this EP has hit-single potential written
all over it. Labels: Sign them now. (JJJJJJ)
Other
singles/EP’s this month:
Calm Site; Deadweight
Self-released
I don’t know, I have mixed feelings
towards this 3-song demo from this Finnish death metal band. I mean, the songs
are fairly good and all, and especially the guitar-riffs do sounds as appealing
as could possibly be. After a while though - and this disk isn’t that long
either – even the riffs tend to get a little repetitive. The sound quality is
ok for a demo too, but the fade-out at the end of track two and the intro to
track 3 really suck. If you’re a death metal fan though, it’s quite possible
that you’ll be into this, but you’ll have to look beyond a fault or two in the
production. But hey, that’s how it goes, and that’s nothing these guys can’t
make up for on future releases. I think they’ll do ok. (JJJJJJ)
Liar’s Academy; Trading My Life
Equal Vision (Provided by Nordic Metal)
When hearing Deep Elm samplers in the
past, highlights were often provided by emo-band Cross My Heart. Well, Cross My
Heart are no more, but in the ashes of Cross My Heart Liar’s Academy arises
with what I think is their debut-EP, and while their sounds may be slightly
different from the Cross My Heart sound, Liar’s Academy certainly seem to be the
next step for Ryan Shelkett (vocalist), Even Turner (drummer) and co. And with
a convincing set of modern rock n’ roll-ish songs with a tad emo-feel to keep
them going, Liar’s Academy seem to be one of the bands to keep an eye for in
2003. Favorite cut: “Now Is The Time. (JJJJJJ)
Loaded Dreams; In It
But No Of It
Self-released
This is not the most original or
imaginative band you’re likely to come across these days, and I don’t think
they believe they are either. Luckily though, they do have six appealing,
well-played and dreamy songs that somehow set the right mood for a cold
winter-night. For the most part we’re talking light indie-rock or pop that
often passes by in a slowcore tempo, while being grazed by wonderful female
vocals that at times bring a jazzy-feel to the overall sound. Somehow however,
I find myself enjoying the up-tempo tracks a big more than I tend to enjoy the
laid-back, lazy and somewhat sad slowcore songs that also tend to fill the
sound-picture. Overall this is a good effort, though. (JJJJJJ)
Negura Bunget; ‘N
Crugu Bradului
Code666
In length this might be more of an album
than an EP, but let’s just pile it with the EP’s since “’N Crugu Bradului” only
features four songs. And through these four songs, titled “I”, “II”, “III, and
“IIII”, this Romanian band shows itself from various musical-sides. Mostly and
most importantly though, the band travels through the dark and chaotic universe
that is black metal. At times it sounds really hateful, evil and cold, but
that’s just me having a feeling about their music, I don’t actually understand
one word of the lyrics, since they’re sung in Romanian, and even though if I
understood Romanian, I highly doubt if I’d hear a word of what’s being said
anyway. I wouldn’t say that this is an essential listen in any way, but fans of
the cold and chaotic sound of the black metal genre might want to check this
out. People interested in Romanian myth-spirituality (why would anybody be,
really?) should also look a little further into world of Negura Bunget. This
might just be the one and only thing of the kind out there. (JJJJJJ)
Robot Monster
Weekend; Turn Down Your Sorrow It’s… Robot Monster Weekend
Self-released
So, it’s Robot Monster Weekend – then
what? We’ll have fun, but what else and why? Well, you see, we’ll have fun,
because Robot Monster Weekend is exactly that: Funny. And then we will rock,
because obviously Robot Monster Weekend Time are good at other things than just
being plain funny. Yeah, that’s right, they know how to rock too. And even though
I did expect something a little different than this when seeing the cover-art,
the band-name and the album-title (kind of imagined some ska-punk or
something), I must admit that I do enjoy what has been done here. The bands
cites bands such as Guided By Voices, The Replacements, and XTC as influences
for their very straightforward rock n’ roll, which in this case, with its’ two
day recording-schedule, perhaps sounds a bit too garage-like. They say their
live-shows sounds somewhat like this. Should be worth checking out. Will you
come to Denmark? (JJJJJJ)
Make sure you also check out the rest of
our archives here.