Issue #13 – September 2003

 

Album of the month:

 

Ephel Duath; The Painter’s Palette

Earache

Ok, first off, this one was released in May, so it’s a little late for being “album of the month” in the September issue. The thing is that I didn’t receive the promo until July, but in July I was on vacation and didn’t get back until early August, which explains the late review (the same goes some of the other reviews in this issue too). Anyway, all month I’ve been thinking about which album to pick as album of the month and none of them really hit me as “The One.” However, a few days before deadline I started listening to this one (because my computer, my stereo and disc-man simply had refused to play the promo all month), and it didn’t take me many minutes to realize that this was it: The “Album of the Month.” Italian Ephel Duath is one of the most original and fresh-sounding extreme metal bands to come along in quite some time. But why? Well, for starters they hired a 47-year-old jazz-drummer who knew nothing about metal to be a member of the band, and a bassist with a background in the prog-fusion scene that knew just as little about metal. It sounds strange, but that’s exactly what has made Ephel Duath the highly abstract band that they are, combining extreme metal with jazz and progrock. OK, it’s not like this is the first time metal, jazz and progrock are fused together, but this is the first time in years it has sounded so exciting.

 

The Rest of this month’s albums

 

Anatomy of a Ghost; Evanesce

Fearless Records

At first, when the hardcore meets emo meets punk meets metal trend started, it was all really refreshing and exciting, but with time, as it has been with any other trend so far, thing started to get watered down. The copycats and the bandwagon-jumpers started coming in from anywhere, and all of a sudden things weren’t cool anymore. Anatomy of a Ghost is a band that combines all the things mentioned above, and they’re also a band that really isn’t pushing the envelope. Still, they’re not bad. It’s just that we’ve heard this a thousand times before, and when a band can’t do anything new and slightly more interesting than the majority, it can easily get overlooked. Besides, that singer sounds too much like a girl to make a lasting impression.

 

Backfire; Change The Game

I Scream Records

I have never really listened to Backfire before, although they’ve been around since 1994 and have released albums on labels like Kingfisher and Victory Records. Now on I Scream Records, these Dutch guys are still as hardcore as possibly imaginable. Actually, they sound a whole lot like some of the other I Scream bands you’ve heard in the past. Yeah, that’s right, they’re fast, angry and Agnostic Front inspired - and pretty good at all that too. 

 

Beloved; Failure On

Solid State Records

The EP Beloved released on the Vindicated From Deep Water label a few years back was awesome. I just knew someone would pick them up after that one. I am not quite sure, but I think it was the re-release of that EP that was released by Solid State some time ago. Anyway, they’re back with a full-length and by any means they’ve grown as a band and become better players, but for some reason I liked their debut-EP better than this one. Still, this is kind of the same “melodic hardcore meets emo” thing as before.

 

Big Baby Satan; Big Baby Satan

Self-released

Extreme satanic death metal, right? Surprisingly no. Big Baby Satan is really just another groovy, down-tuned heavy metal band with songs that never last longer than three minutes. They’re not overly original. In fact, they’re kind of dated, but not in a bad way as you might expect. But when these guys start to mess around with Dio’s “Holy Diver” (titled “Holy Dio” here) towards the end, they, they, ah, forget it – even words can’t describe how bad it gets.

 

Billy Paul Williams; Miles To Go

Kriztal Entertainment

With an album-title like “Miles To Go” and a saxophone solo like the one in the title-track, it comes as no surprise that this guy is inspired by Miles Davis. Still there is a lot more to gain from Billy Paul Williams than just jazz. Here’s a little bit of everything, really: Chill-out, lounge, R&B, adult contemporary, world-beat and the list goes on. Not really what I listen to on a daily basis, but still pretty cool for one of those chill-out evenings in the living room.   

 

Blue Sandcastle; If You Only Knew…

Self-released

I think this pretty much sounded like what I expected when I read that there were cover-versions of songs by Willie Nelson (“Crazy”) and George Harrison (“Art of Dying”), although we aren’t talking country versus beatlesque pop. Instead we’re getting a more raw and rocking set of singer/songwriter-type of stuff from this duo. If you like Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, John Hiatt and stuff like that, then chances are that you’ll like Blue Sandcastle too.

 

Chris Katris; Chris Katris

Self-released

Chris Katris; Songs From The Basement

Self-released

Judging from these two releases, Chris Katris is a pretty good singer/songwriter. However, production and good sound quality isn’t his specialty. Still there’s nothing wrong with his singing, playing and songwriting, and given the fact that he has released these two released in two following years suggests that he isn’t having a writers-block just yet. Chris sounds like a cross between Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. Of course, he’s nowhere near tipping the previously mentioned off their thrones, but if you like Tom and Bob and don’t mind a rather raw production, you’re most likely to find something to enjoy on these releases. As I said there’s nothing wrong with the songs. 

 

Condition Red; II

Lion Music

Last time we heard from Condition Red (in 2000) they had Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Platypus, x-Dream Theater) to help with the keyboards, alongside Alexander King, the bands original keyboard-player. Some three years down the line, the band is on their own. Or at least without Sherinian. But Condition Red is still very much an all-star progmetal band, featuring the likes of Lars Eric Mattsson and Alex Masi in the line-up. “II” is actually a pretty good follow-up album to 2000’s debut. In fact, I think I like “II” better than the debut. The players are excellent, the production nearly perfect, but what really wins me over this time around are the vocals and violin playing of Ella Grussner.

 

Cool Hand Luke; Wake Up, O Sleeper

Floodgate Records/Wea

I remember reviewing the self-released debut-album by this band when it came out in 2001, and really liking it. I remember thinking that someone has got to pick up these guys, and two years later on, respectable, Tim Taber owned Floodgate Records have signed them. And with Steve Hindalong (The Choir) behind the producer-chair, it seems like Cool Hand Luke just might be one of the biggest emo/indie surprises of the year, and actually better than on their debut-album. One thing that I noticed about Cool Hand Luke is that they haven’t watered down their Christian lyrics, like so many other so-called Christian bands have in order to break thought to the mainstream. I know that some of you don’t like Christianity in your rock-music, but at least the fact that it is still there shows that this band is real, right – that they won’t sell out? Besides, they aren’t overly preachy either, but definitely not afraid of showing their faith.  

 

Corky McClerkin; Island of Dreams

WinCor

Corky McClerkin is independent, colored piano-player and songwriter that, with “Island of Dreams”, has created twelve tracks of pure soulful piano-music. Of course, you’ll have to be into jazz to be a fan of Corky’s, and if you are, chances are that you’ll like his music pretty much. Sure, twelve tracks of the same jazzy piano playing could become a little repetitive after a while, so Corky has also added some African “world music” rhythms, as to make things more accessible alongside some almost gospel-like vocals. Overall, “Island of Dreams” won’t change the world, but it’ll probably lighten it up a bit for those piano-loving jazz-fans. Cheers.

 

Cult of Luna; Cult of Luna

Earache Records

Some of you probably already own this album, as Rage of Achilles originally released it in 2001. It didn’t get the attention it deserved back then, or at least it seems like it didn’t, and considering the success Cult of Luna has had with their new album released in February, it’s really a fitting move from Earache to re-release this album, because it’s actually really good. Anyways, like a lot of other metal bands these days Cult of Luna are from Sweden, but unlike most Swedish metal bands they don’t do the melodic death metal-thing. Instead they nail the sludgy noisecore-genre right on the head, sounding like a raw mix of Neurosis, Charger and Crowbar. And frankly, fans of bands like those that still haven’t checked out this CD will not regret it if they choose to do so now. If you think stuff like that is noise, though, you better stay well away.  

 

Davide Balula; Pellicule

Active Suspension

(Provided by Dense Promotion)

I remember hearing this guy on the Active Suspension v/ Clapping Music sampler. As most of the other stuff on that sampler, Davide didn’t really get under my skin at that point. I am not even saying that I am becoming his biggest fan or anything after this, his debut-album, although I am certainly enjoying his compositions more this time around. Like a lot of Active Suspension artists, Davide Balula must sound really alternative to people only listening to mainstream music, but that’s ok, he should. Davide Balula is another artist in the long series of singer/songwriters taking their post-folk songs through minimalist electronic soundscapes. He doesn’t really compare all that much to artists like Sufjan Stevens or Rusty Santos, but he’ll definitely appeal to people listening to that sort of music.   

 

Deceivers; Third Machine

53HC

It seems like every time I hear a Brazilian band these days, it’s either a tribal-metal thing a la Soulfly and Sepultura or some nu-metal kind of thing. Deceivers is an example of the latter. Of course, everything Deceivers bring to the table has been tasted before, but it’s not bad actually. If this was as two or three years Roadrunner would’ve signed them in a heartbeat. For fans of bands like Ill Nino. 

 

Denison Marrs; Then is the New Now

Floodgate Records/Wea

I’ve heard great things about this band ever since they released a CD on the now defunct label, 6x6 Records (I think that was its’ name). Well, now several years later I finally get a chance to hear them, and if the previous releases have been anywhere near as good as this one, I think I just might have been missing out. This is pretty modern sounding and guitar-heavy pop-rock, but it doesn’t really cash in on any of the most popular genres right now. Go figure. I could probably tell you a whole of other good things about this album, buy I think I’ll just leave it at that. This is a great record. Check it out.   

 

East West; Hope in Anguish

Floodgate Records/Wea

There’s a chance, while reading through the latest issues of this webzine, that you have noticed that I am getting a little bored with the whole nu-metal thing. But there are still bands that release an impressive album within this field, though, and “Hope in Anguish” the new release by East West is definitely one of them. I had a chance to review their previous album when it came out, and as some of you might have read, I really liked it. So is East West getting better with time? Or are they slowly fading away like so many of their contemporaries? Well, let me put it this way: East West are not likely to become the stars that P.O.D. and the likes have become, as this genre is starting to wear off by now, but unlike a lot of those popular nu-metal bands (P.O.D. is still great, though) East West is actually improving with time instead of being repetitive and boring. Sure, as a whole, East West isn’t the most original band in the world, and they are by no means breaking new ground on “Hope in Angish”, but there’s still enough kickin’ hard rock to keep fans of modern hard music happy, and I am not just talking about those trendy, baggy-pants wearing nu-metalers.

 

Ex Models; Zoo Psychology

Frenchkiss Records

I don’t know what to say about this record, except that it’s really cool. What can I say, it’s punky noise-rock and it’s not like everything else you hear every day. Oh, and did I mention that it’s cool? Well, it is. At least pretty cool.

 

Edenpark; Welcome To Edenpark

Nolo Records

Edenpark themselves believe that they’re what a modern rock band should sound like: like an insane mixture of musical talent, and the power and ability to push a super-different style. I don’t particularly agree that modern rock should sound like this, but it’s fine that there are bands that sound like this, though. Edenpark fuse a lot of different “hard-music” styles together and end up sounding like System of a Down playing Frank Zappa songs. This is original, has a lot of ideas, but at the same time it’s also a bit forgettable.

 

Farmakon; A Warm Glimpse

Elitist

The Earache sub-label, Elitist, is now ready with the debut-album by this Finnish metal band that has caused quite a stir within “weird metal-circles.” Of course, they’re not quite up there with the likes of Opeth, Yakuza and label-mates Ephel Duath just yet, but they’re definitely on the next shelf somewhere. Farmakon combine the melodic metal that is ever so popular in Scandinavia these days with 70’s-like progrock, thrash and jazz, and the result is great – not quite as progressive as Ephel Duath, not quite as jazzy as Yakuza and not quite as amazing as Opeth, but still great. This is a CD for people getting tired of all things traditional.   

 

Forest of Impaled; Forward the Spears

Red Stream

Having seen the album-title and band-name it comes as no surprise that this is Britney Spears fronting the gore-band Impaled, right? No, just kidding, Forest of Impaled is a totally different story altogether. They play top-energy death metal so fast and furious that, when hearing it, it’s almost war-like. From start to finish this is a fast, brutal and double bass kicking adrenaline-bomb. Personally, though, I’d like a little more variation in the mix.

 

Gargantua Soul; The First – The Last – The Tribe

Self-released

Gargantua Soul; Impact

Self-released

Gargantua Soul is yet another one of those bands that has opened for just about anybody important, while getting quite good press and decent radio airplay. Still they’re not exactly a band you’d say has had a commercial breakthrough. And therefore sending two albums – one released in 2000 and one in 2001 – for review in webzines can seem like one last shot at giving the music a push in that direction, especially when considering the style of music Gargantua Soul are playing. Yeah, you’ve guesses it, Gargantua Soul are combining rap-vocals, metal-guitars and turn-tables (at least on “The First – The Last – The Tribe”), but thinking Linkin Park is not entirely fair though, as the tribal percussion-playing adds another dimension to the overall sound. Still, with record-labels desperately trying to get rid off their nu-metal acts before it’s too late, it’s not too likely that Gargantua Soul will be picked up by the majors anytime soon. However, songs like “Rat-pack” suggest that Gartantua Soul could’ve been huge.

 

General Surgery/The County Medical Examiners; Split CD

Razorback Records

Check out those names, dude. General Surgery and The Country Medical Examiners. Sounds like someone is interested in medical science, huh? Well, that’s not all these people are interested in, coz there’s also a lethal those of gore, grind and death to be found on this thirteen track disc. Both bands do it fairly well, although without bringing anything new to the genre, but then again very few do these days. I am more into the chainsaw-like riffs that General Surgery provide from time to time than their overtly fast and brutal grindcore assaults, but that, I guess, is just a matter of taste. Kind of the same thing goes for The County Medical Examiners, actually. Anyway, if any of you by any chance are going to medical school and digging gore-splattering death metal at the same time, then there’s certainly a chance that this CD will be in its’ right place in your CD-player.

 

Ghoul; Maniaxe

Razorback Records

Wow, this album is surprisingly good. For some reason I wasn’t expecting too much from this one, but it turns out to be one of the better death metal albums I’ve heard in quite some time. Ghoul bring a nice mix of gore and death to the table, and the variation between the fast and the slow (or mid-tempo’ed – whatever) is nothing short of excellent. There’s even some insane psycho-billy in “The End”, before finally the band finishes the party with a full-blooded death-metal cover of Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World.” Rawwk.

 

Gwen Jennifer; You’ve Got To Believe

Angel Dog Music

I used to follow the CCM-scene (contemporary Christian music) back in the day, but with time I got really bored with it, as there was nobody that tried new things. Everybody was just copying whatever was played by those that got on the radio. I wouldn’t say that Gwen Jennifer is a person that copies any trend. Actually, she does anything but that. In fact, I wouldn’t even use the word contemporary about her music, even though she insists that this is CCM. If this is what goes for CCM these days, then CCM has gotten really old, really fast, but still that’s better than people who constantly rip off other artists. At least Gwen Jennifer is real about what she does, and that gets extra points in my book, but overall this is not really my thing. Give this one to your mom.

 

Herpes O Deluxe; Havarie

Everestrecords

(Provided by Dense Promotion)

I thought that I wasn’t going to spend too much time on this one. I figured it was a quick single or EP with four tracks, but although it only features four tracks it’s actually longer than most pop-albums that are released these days, when clocking in about 70 minutes. And it won’t be for everyone either. You’ll have to be open-minded and into minimalist, ambient and electronic music. And even if you’re into all those things, you’ll still have to be open-minded, cos there four guys from Bern aren’t you’re typical, average-sounding electro-band. The “spoken-word” samples that come in spades throughout the album definitely make things more interesting, though.

 

Jake Williams; Blue Head, Blue Heart

Self-released

Like several other singer/songwriters I’ve listened to lately, Jake sounds like a cross between Neil Young and Tom Petty. The music of Jake Williams is a little typical American singer/songwriter stuff, which is to say that it’s not very original and doesn’t bring us anything new. But that aside, this isn’t your worst nightmare or anything. It’s actually quite alright if you’re into alt-country singer/songwriter stuff.   

 

Jeff Pryor Band; Loverland

Teze Records

I honestly wasn’t too much into this album when listening to it in order to do this review. I mean, sure it’s professionally well played and all, but it’s just that it is kind of boring. Jeff Pryor has been playing music in different bands for some twenty years by now, and without any form of commercial success I might add, and strangely this is his first solo-album. There’s a long list of impressive guests helping Jeff out on this album, but for some reason even people like Simon Philips and David Paich didn’t make me a believer in this project. File under soft rock.

 

John Wubbenhorst and Facing East; Facing Beloved

Facing East Productions

Here’s a really original world music project that combines elements from both the western music-world as well as the eastern. “Facing Beloved” features 11 songs that can vary from a length of 15 minutes to just over 1 minute, and they can be both progressive in nature as well as filled with ambience. Instruments used are flutes (bansuri and western flute), ghatam (clay pot), konnakol (vocal percussion), kanjira (South Indian frame drum), bass and guitar, and with those this five-piece goes through some Indian music while also finding inspiration from the west. There are lots of things going on: there’s some jazz, some classical stuff – heck, at one point there’s even room for a little J.S. Bach in there.

 

Joy Electric; The Tick Tock Treasury

Tooth and Nail Records

When most of you think about Tooth and Nail Records, you probably think about punk music, or perhaps emo, or at least some kind of rock-music. However, Joy Electric, a band – or should we say one-man project - that has a long history with the label, has nothing rock-like about itself. Instead, when listening to “The Tick Tock Treasury”, you’ll be introduced to a little new wave, synth-pop and electronica. Of course, it’s not very different from what Joy Electric has done in the past, but it’s still pretty good. No Echoing Green album is half as good as this, that’s for sure.

 

Katy Pfaffl; Katy Pfaffl

Self-released

Most people would probably categorize Katy Pfaffl as another singer/songwriter with folksy overtones. Well, she is, really, but that’s not all that she is. Track one on this self-titled debut-release, for instance, sounds closer to the pop of Nelly Furtado of all people, only without being all that commercial. After that track, though, the Nelly Furtado comparisons are all gone in favor of a more traditional singer/songwriter approach. There are times when the jazz-edge even makes her sound a bit like Norah Jones, which should be taken as a compliment. This debut has been out for some time now, but a new album is in the making, and it’ll surely be interesting to see where Katy will be going from here. 

 

Kruzt; No Accounting For Taste

Double A Records

When I heard the opening riff in “Slaves” I thought that this was going to be a good record. However, as it slowly passed me by, there was really nothing else that grabbed my attention. “No Accounting For Taste” is just another 80’s inspired hard-rock album with a few newer influences thrown in.

 

Lipid; Hagridden

Casket Music

It seems like Danish music is on its’ way forward. Not only have rock bands such as Mew and The Ravonettes scored major deals lately, and Saybia and Outlandish gotten a great deal of screenplay on MTV, but it seems like every metal label has lately been trying to secure a deal with at least one Danish metal band. Lipid is one of the bands that have managed to secure themselves a deal abroad, and not with just anyone, I might add, but with small but respective British record-label Casket Music, which is a division of Copro Records. Musically, though, Lipid could just as easily be Swedish as Danish with their thrashy, melodic death-tunes. Fans of the bands will be soon to notice that “Hagridden” is really just a release with re-masterings of old material originally released on two of their three previous EP’s, but what the heck, they’ll buy it anyway, right? Fans of melodic death and Bay Area thrash will definitely find something to cherish here, although there’s really anything that has been done before on this thing - it even had been done before in 1999 and 2001 when these songs originally were released. It’s all good though.

 

The Magic Band; Back To The Front

ATP Records

(Provided by Dense Promotion)

I think it’s safe to say that progrock geeks will be all over this one when they hear it. Some of them might even have been wetting their pants for months prior to the release in bare excitement. Why, all you other people ask? Well, The Magic Band is what used to be Captain Beefheart’s band back in the day, and the only thing that will do for those dearly missing the man who retired from music in the early 80’s, must be getting in touch with his band again. So here they are, weirdly fused as always, playing a mix of 70’s psychedelic progrock and old-school blues. This definitely won’t be for everyone, but for those liking their music on a mathematic level, “Back To The Front” probably will cause its fair share of wonders.

 

Marcel Coenen; Guitartalk

Lion Music

Oh, my God, an instrumental guitar-album that isn’t boring? Geez, that’s gotta be something. No, just kidding, there are lots of cool guitar-albums out there, but in a while I haven’t heard many that didn’t suggest that I just went to sleep. This one, however, had me hanging on to the last breath. This guy is definitely on to something here, although he isn’t Joe Satriani. But then again, why should he? Joe is so boring.

 

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes; Take a Break

Fat Wreck Chords

Call me a dork, but I really loved the previous Me First and the Gimme Gimmes album “Blow In The Wind,” and because of that I was really looking forward to hear this, their follow up album. Of course, when it comes to Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, one knows exactly what to expect. For those not familiar with the band, I can say that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes features members and ex-members of bands like NOFX, Swingin’ Utters, Lagwagon, Foo Fighters and No Use For A Name, and all they do is playing cover-songs. But don’t run away right away, though, because these guys are actually really good for a cover-band (with members of bands like the ones mentioned above, they better be). This time the punk-light foursome has chosen to work on songs like “Nothing Comes 2 U” (Prince, and later Sinead O’Connor), “End of the Road” (Boyz II Men), “I Believe I Can Fly” (R. Kelly), “Save The Best For Last” (Vanessa Williams) and more. Not all songs are great, and overall “Take a Break” isn’t as cool as “Blow In The Wind”, but it’s still fun to listen to. Favourite cut: “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”

 

Morbid Angel; Heretic

Earache

There are two ways of going about this: Either you could go on and on about Morbid Angel, death metals best selling band ever, being back and comparing “Heretic” to their back-catalogue in order to find out if this really is worth getting. A lot of people will probably do that, but to me, though, that is pointless, because, really, when have Morbid Angel ever released a bad album, huh? No, never. And they haven’t done so now either. And even if they did, all Morbid Angel fans and death metal fans in general would be getting this album anyway, just to see for themselves. Ok, I’ll admit it “Heretic” isn’t the bands best work yet, but it’s still well worth having for fans of extreme music. So if you’re a fan of death metal, do yourself a favour and get this one when it’s out on September 22nd. 

 

Nedelle; Republic of Two

Kimchee Records

Wow, this is a cool, cool album. It kind of surprised me, though, as it doesn’t have much rock or indie-stuff on it, opposed to a lot of other Kimchee records. Instead this is a jazz-record with modern pop-overtones. It’s beautiful, romantic and dream-like. Perfect for a romantic evening with that special someone, really. You’ll like this.

 

None; Blackstar

Metal Mind Productions

(Provided by Pitchfork Promotion)

I just recently got into the music of Metal Mind Productions, as I started getting their promo-releases when Pitchfork Promotion started handling promotion for them. The thing is, previously I’ve always received either gothic related CD’s, or something highly progressive, or at least something dangerously metal. Never anything radio-friendly. So I was kind of surprise to see that Metal Mind had released a nu-metal album by a band called None, and not just this new album but also two other albums in the past. That’s not to say that None such, though, because they really don’t. They’re not really all that radio-friendly after all. I mean, sure they’ve got that nu-metal-ish melodic thing going with some catchy hooks, but there’s no room for white-boy rap and such. Overall, None aren’t breaking new ground, and there are times when they definitely seem to lack ideas, but there are also times when they sound really good.

 

Number One Gun; Celebrate Mistakes

Floodgate/Wea

Floodgate Records have been releasing some very good records lately, and I am sure that this one by Number One Gun will have it’s share of success too, as it has been getting quite a lot of positive response from respectable people within the business. Still this is the one band on Floodgate that I can’t hear what there should be to get all excited about. I mean, come on, they sound like practically every other American, whiny emo-band these days. They may not be the worst thing that has come out of the ever-growing emo-scene this past year, but they’re a long way from touching those, who’ve lately been know as the flag-bearers of this genre. I think these guys should start sounding a little more like themselves, and not so much like everybody else.

 

Radiant Pig; Daily Grace

Self-released

Radiant Pig is a band that simply resists comparison to any other band out there, and normally that is a very good thing, isn’t it? Still, when listening to “Daily Grace” I am just getting the feeling that this could’ve been so much more. There are times when you start wondering if this is different just for the sake of being different. The vocals of Liz and Steve don’t go too well together if you ask me, and the almost country-like songs that appear every once in a while just have to go, but I still think open minded rock-fans might find a thing or two to drool over here. As for me, I think I’ll just grab the next CD in the reviewer-pile and get it over with.  

 

Rakoth; Tiny Deaths

Elitist

Other than a re-release of their Code666-debut “Planeshift”, this is the first album for Rakoth on Earache’s sub-label Elitist. Elitist is a label specializing in “cutting-edge” metal, as they say it themselves, but there are times, when listening to “Tiny Deaths”, where you ask yourself the question: “Is this even metal at all?” Of course, Rakoth are metal in nature, but a lot of the elements on this album are pretty far from the standard black or death metal album. However, it’s the none-metal parts that are easily what is to be the most excited about on “Tiny Deaths”: The flutes, pianos, strings and the poetic vocals. Of course, some heavy, doom-like guitars are helping in order to lift the music to its’ next level, but the death metal growls that come to the surface every now and then just have to go, as they aren’t helping building up the bands sound, but much rather tearing it down. Other than that this was a pleasure, although I doubt I’ll be listening to it all that much in the future, as this is one of those “you have to be in the mood for it” albums. 

 

Rise Against; Revolutions Per Minute

Fat Wreck Chords

Since neither Fat Wreck or Rise Against sent this promo to me, I’ll just make it even shorter than I usually do. Rise Against are cool. Not fantastic, but still pretty cool. They play melodic hardcore. They do it kinda like a lot of other bands these days. Like some other Fat Wreck bands too. But go figure, Fat Wreck once again released a cool album.

 

Rory Merritt Stitt; Harlequin

Self-released

Now here’s an independent artist that I’d definitely like to hear more from. Rory’s (isn’t that supposed to be a girls name by the way?) debut-album “The Narcissist” got excellent reviews, and if it sounds anything like “Harlequin” – Rory’s sophomore album – then it is no wonder. “Harlequin” is first and foremost a piano-driven jazz-record, but not in an irritating, self-centered way like those records often turn out. Take the obligatory jazz-accord, mix it with some up-tempo pop-music, while adding a little classical and cabaret music to the sound, and you’ve pretty much put yourself under the spell of Rory Merritt Stitt. And just for the record, Rory’s voice is just as heart-felt and beautiful as his piano playing. Oh, and when you listen to the CD, make sure you start with track four, “Unlaced”, and then start from the beginning. If you can, that is, cos chances are that you’ll be pressing repeat a lot.

 

Rusty Santos; Outside Versus In

Self-released

Here’s another singer/songwriter that just doesn’t sound like an ordinary singer/songwriter. I mean, take artists like Half-Handed Cloud, The Singing Mechanic, Sufjan Stevens, The Danielson Family or just any Asthmatic Kitty or Sounds Familyre artist and you’d pretty much have the sound of Rusty Santos. Electronica and folk-like songs with fragile, whiny vocals that far from always hit the right notes.

 

Suntan; Send You Home

Kimchee Records

If there was one thing to realize about Suntan - except for them being a great band of course – when they released their fabulous three-track EP late last year, an EP we also chose as “single/EP of the month” in our January 2003 issue, it was their way of writing songs that went on and on without ever becoming boring. On “Send You Home” the songs are equally long and advanced, and still never boring. Of course, if you don’t like 70’s inspired psychedelic rock combined with modern-day noise-rock and perhaps even a hint of progrock, then Suntan just won’t be for you. If you, however, just can’t get enough of that sort of thing, then Suntan won’t come very much closer to being your ideal band. 

 

U Dreamer: U Dreamer

Self-released

The press-released that came with this CD stated that the music of this foursome from North Carolina is filled with honesty and originality. Well, I don’t know about the honesty. They themselves know that, don’t they? But I certainly have an opinion on their originality, as U Dreamer simply doesn’t play original music in any way. Instead they’re a rather typical female-fronted and guitar-based pop-rock band with a few alt-country influences thrown in. At the end of the CD there’s even some blues, but even that has been heard lots of times before on CDs like these. Still these people might have had something if only the sound quality wasn’t so poor.

 

Various Artists; Bedroom Communities 01. Pillow Talk

Kriztal Entertainment

Various Artists; Bedroom Communities 02. ReLounge

Kriztal Entertainment

The blurb-sticker put on the cover of my promo-copy of one of these two compilations really says it the best: “A sexy, sultry collection of “between the sheets” grooves.” We could just stop this review right here, and there wouldn’t be anything else that needed to be said. But even I wouldn’t get away with writing that little. Ok, so this is music to put on after a stressful day at work. You know, lying down in bed with the one you love, just relaxing, sweet-talking and, well, whatever else might come along. If you like lounge-music, jazzy grooves and a chill-out atmosphere then this will be for you. And the music on these two compilations comes from all over the world: Denmark, Norway, Japan, USA, UK, Norway, Germany and other places too. Pretty good.

 

Various Artists; Floodgate Records Sampler 2003

Floodgate Records

This is a cool sampler, indeed. It features one song from four new Floodgate releases as well as four tracks of short snippets of all tracks (I think) from all four releases. We’re dealing with the new albums by Cool Hand Luke, East West, Denison Marrs and Rita Springer. Of course, if you have the full-lengths, you have no need for this sampler. Personally, I already have three of the albums, so it doesn’t bring me much new stuff, but at least there is the Rita Springer tune “About God” and some snippets from her album “Effortless.” Sounds like that might be a good singer/songwriter album. For those not knowing the bands, I’d say East West play nu-metal, Cool Hand Luke play indie-rock and Denison Marrs play modern rock.

 

Various Artists; Insane Tracks Vol. 1

Insanity Records

(Provided by Intromental Management)

It rarely happens that a compilation CD makes for a good time throughout, and “Insane Tracks Vol. 1” provides, as many other label-samplers, with mixed emotions. There are, of course, some pretty good tracks among the lot, but unfortunately there are also the totally useless tracks. And then you have a lot of stuff that is somewhere in between. I don’t see any of the bands featured on this disc getting big in the months to come, but who knows? Someone should definitely tell the singer in Darkane, though, that his name is not James Hetfield, and the band that they’re not Metallica. For crying out loud, why did you name yourselves Darkane in the first place?

 

Various Artists; Mark Riva Presents Sungrooves

Kriztal Entertainment

I don’t know who’s going to want to buy this album based on this review, considering the fact that the summer will be over when you read this (got this promo a little late). Perhaps you could just keep the summer-spirit alive by playing this one during the whole forthcoming winter – I dunno? Anyway, producer, DJ and adventurer, Mark Riva, has been to four different countries and over 20 cities in order to find the perfect beat for the perfect summer soundtrack. I don’t know if I am that much into the stuff on this disc, but it sure sounds like summer. This isn’t an “Ibiza party-album”, though, but rather an album reflecting a lot of different moods. There are the “chill-out” in the sun parts, the house-parts, the happy-dance parts and then all the Latin, Caribbean etc. rhythm-parts. 

 

Various Artists; The Reindeer Room – A Christmas Chillout

Kriztal Entertainment

Yet another compilation from this really cool record-label. This time the theme is Christmas-songs. This review comes a little late, as this compilation was released last Christmas, but we just got a promo-copy of it a few weeks ago, so here it is, but perhaps we should’ve just waited with this review until Christmas, as there probably won’t be too many that’ll hurry down to the nearest CD-store to buy the compilation this time of the year. Anyways, this is still a pretty cool compilation. Classic Christmas songs like “White Christmas”, “Little Drummer Boy”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, “Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells” are all dressed up the chill-out and electronica way, and surprisingly they sound really good that way. This is a nice alternative to all those typical Christmas-compilations we hear every year. 

 

Watashi Wa; The Love of Life

Tooth and Nail Records

No this isn’t a Japanese rock-band that have found their love in life. Instead, this is a just as American rock band as any other band you’re likely to find on Tooth and Nail’s rooster, and yeah, they sound like they’ve found “The Love of Life.” Not having heard much about Watashi Wa before this release, I was kind of expecting another emo or pop/punk band like a lot of the other bands Tooth and Nail have been releasing albums by lately, but this really isn’t emo nor pop/punk, but just plain, ordinary, straightforward and sunny pop-rock, just like the doctor ordered it. Listening to a song like “All of Me” will definitely get all fans of modern-rock out of their cheers, and so will a lot of other songs on this release. A perfect soundtrack for the summer that is about to pass us by. Produced by Gggarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine etc.).

 

Zero Hour; Metamorphosis

Sensory

(Provided by Intromental Management)

The history of Zero Hour is pretty much the same story any other heavy metal band would be telling, unless you’re freakin’ Metallica or something. 10 years of struggling for the music believed in, but always without any form of commercial success (like all, or at least most, other progmetal bands, really.) Still, Zero Hour is a pretty convincing act within today’s progmetal scene. Not quite a new Dream Theater, but still good enough for at least one spin for any real fan of the genre.

 

Single/EP of the month:

 

Manifesto Jukebox; Manifesto Jukebox

Boss Tuneage

Finnish critically acclaimed sleaze-punkers Manifesto Jukebox are back. Or are they? Well, no, not really. This is six-track mini-CD featuring cuts from their out of print 7” debut “Strangleholds and Cages” and tracks from a Japanese split-CD release. But it’s all remastered, and besides, none of it has ever been on CD before. So while waiting for a new Manifesto Jukebox album, this should definitely do. Do we like it? Duh, what do you think? Would we choose it as “single/EP of the month” if we didn’t?

 

Other singles & EP’s this month:

 

Cooper Brown; Watch This!

125db Records

I reviewed a previous short-player by this band a few months back and it’s a pleasure to get to hear them again, cos their new six-track EP is actually another cool set of power-pop songs. This time around I even hear some of that pop/punk that everybody said to be on the previous release. Keep it up.

 

Crop Circle; Mexican Cockfight

Self-released

This trio – a drummer, bass-player and a guitarist, all sharing vocal-duties – have nailed down a pretty cool single with this release. We’re talking catchy, guitar-heavy songs that tend to stick with you a lot longer than you think they will when you see the cover. No wonder some of the smaller radio-stations have been playing these guys 24/7. Yeah, I like this one, but there is one turn-off, though: the lyrics. They’re supposed to be really funny, but they really aren’t. At least not nearly as funny as they’re supposed to. Eh, whatever.

 

Econoline; Full Tar

Seriously Groovy/Infur

Another single from Seriously Groovy. Not quite as good as the Jet Johnson and Mother Goose singles reviewed in this issue, but definitely kicking Emetrex’ ass. Well, what can I say, this is a single taken from their critically acclaimed debut-album “Music is Stupid.” Haven’t heard the album, but that’s a killer name, don’t you think? Anyway, “Full Tar”, “Goodbye Blue Monday” and “The Flypast Is Go!” are all songs that’ll appeal to the noise-loving indie-fans, and there are lots of those around these days, aren’t there?

 

Emetrex; King of Animals

Seriously Groovy/Infur

Now, this doesn’t really suck, but after listening to it, it’s kinda difficult to remember what exactly it was that you heard. And I am not talking about one listen, either. This is the kind of lo-fi indie-pop that just has a way of moving along without anyone noticing it.

 

Everest; Inhalight

Everest Records

(Provided by Dense Promotion)

Another – should we say (?) - different release from the Everest label, and this time from the two, Matu and Meienberg, who actually own the label, as well as being active concert organizers in their homeland, Switzerland. On this four-track EP, Everest have gathered a wide spectrum of electronic sounds that make for an atmosphere not heard every day – even within the electronic music-world. Fans of labels like Warp, Asphodel and other labels like that might want to investigate this a little further.

 

Hookers Green No.1; Love Ballad for the Cold Robot

Self-released

I have been travelling from the Faroe Islands to Aberdeen, Scotland three times in the past, but there never has been any music from that City that really has caught my attention. Not until now, that is. Aberdeen’s own Hookers Green No.1 is one heck of a wacho group – and that’s what is cool about them. They begin this three tracker with something sounding not too unlike most American lo-fi indie rock, but all of a sudden there’s a whole brass-section ranting in the background. Then it’s all free-jazz for a while with insane, splashy, drumming all over the place, before next you know they turn into The Salvation Army Big Band on Christmas Eve for a moment too. Yeah, as I said, these guys are way out there somewhere, playing post rocking indie and jazz, while sounding like a cross between Tortoise, Soul Junk, Flamming Lips and Miles Davis.

 

Jet Johnson; Donnie

Seriously Groovy/Soda

So these people have written a song named “Donnie” – no, big deal, right? Well, you decide, because that song is actually a tribute to Donnie Osmond from The Osmonds, and the song is actually a really delicious piece of simplistic pop-music. The two B-sides aren’t quite as easy-going on the ears, but still quite good post/indie pop-songs that definitely should be heard by more people than I am sure they’ve done so far. Oh, and one more thing, I love the vocals of Norwegian Caroline Nesbø. More please…

 

Joski; Chorus

Casket Music

Melodic punk, modern rock or whatever – “Chorus” is just a cool and catchy song that is destined to be sticking with you a while after you’ve heard it for sure. Don’t know about the longevity of a song like that, though, but for now it’ll do just fine. It’s actually a really appropriate name for that song, because it really has a delicious chorus. The two b-sides are cool too, but they’re not quite as outstanding as “Chorus”, although “Close” comes, eh, close.

 

The Kinison; The Kinison

Fearless Records

It’s not everyday a band get to hand out their demo out to someone important. But even if they do, it probably rarely happens that this person actually listens to it, and even if he did, that it did mean anything to anybody. Not so with The Kinison, though, because they handed their demo out to Casey Choas of Amen-fame, and the mad-man liked them so much, that he decided he wanted to produce this five-track EP. And take it from me The Kinison is a punk-band to look out for in the future, and this EP is definitely worth checking out. 

 

Mother Goose; Village

Seriously Groovy/Soda

This is really an old single that has been sent to me by this really cool London-based label, but I don’t care because it’s great music, and I really enjoyed listening to it. This fine Helsinki band start out rather lo-fi slowcore-ish in “Village”, but then turn into mad punky, garage-noise-rockers in “Mozart” (you’d kind of suspect them to go all classical on you there, wouldn’t you?), before they start acting all weird in “Born Kind, Christmas Eve” with jingle-bells and everything. It might not be new, but it’s good, and what more could you wish for?

 

Rikki Gann; Realise

Self-released

When I first saw the picture of this guy, I thought that I was about to listen to a new Enrique Eglesias wanna-be. Not entirely so, though. Or even better, not at all so. Instead Rikki Gann moves within the singer/songwriter genre, mixing elements of folk and modern British rock-music, always depending heavily on some great guitar-work and well-placed vocals. Rikki states influences as diverse as Coldplay, Starsailor, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye, but on this three-tracker he sounds closer to finding himself somewhere between the likes of Teitur Lassen and Bebo Norman.   

Winter In June have already released a “split EP” on Engineer (then called Ignition Records) in the past with a band that I cannot spell the name off without checking first, so I’ll leave it be. But here they are again, and they’re every bit as good as they were back then with their ass kicking and metallic hardcore, only this time their sound is a bit more punky than previously. All three tracks are great, proving that this is still a band to keep an eye on in the future. Steel Rules Die is going about it in a slightly more old-school fashion, but still easily being a band that the hardcore-kids of today should check out.

 

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