Dan Israel & The Cultivators - Love Ain't A Cliche

It has been three years since local singer/songwriter Dan Israel last released a full blown Cultivators CD, ensuring that this was warmly received round our way. "Love Ain't a Cliche" in it's cliche ridden sleeve is that most old fashioned of things, an album of love songs, but without the twee sensibilities of so called popular music, rather an honest exploration of that most misguided of emotions.

To the ear, it's traditional roots rock of the Mellencamp mold, and in a world infested with so called Americana, it's going to be hard to get heard, but this really does deserve it. Things sound sparser this time round, and I don't know if that's due to the new trio format, or a deliberate step away from the more populist mode of "Mama's Kitchen". Dan doesn't seem too happy on this ceedee, as the lyrics are full of dark despair at the world, life and himself, but manages to stay clear of the Van Morrsion school of irritating mump. Instead this is a record you will return to time and again. And in case you're wondering a root round the website will reward those of you with a sense of humour.

Alien Dream - Eleven Realms Of Night

The latest from Michael Blackman aka Alien Dream is basically a psychedelic rock instrumental (with a bit of poetry) album that, whilst on nodding acquaintance with the greats of the genre - Hawkwind, Gong, Ozrics etc manages to make a mark all of its own in a crowded and somewhat moribund territory.

That's not to say we're in a land of pee, rather a subtle and relaxed psychedelic mindmeld that eschews the trad psych guitar workouts of others for a melodic quais-ambient trip. The undoubted highlight is the crucial "Awake In A Dream", which is the pinnacle of Mr Blackmans work to date.

This is a release that merits multiple plays, each one revealing a hidden moment that passed you buy the first time, continually growing in measure, multilayered without getting all artsy on your ass. Space rock without the stereotypes. Excellent work, enlivened with the joyous discoveries of pleasures new.

Get some at The Rocker.

URBAN TURBANS - “Turban Town”

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this release featuring Martin Ace and Mickey Jones from the legendary Welsh rock band Man.
As Chris Mills says on the sleeve notes, ‘Back in the Golden Temple of Amritsar’ is ‘Back in the USSR’ with some of the lyrics changed to fit the concept of ‘skateboarding around India in the summer of 2001’!
Other tracks are a tongue in cheek nod to Elvis, great take offs that the Bonzo Dog Band might have been proud of! Status Quo and The Beach Boys also get similar treatment.
I’m sure this album is more enjoyable in its rightful context as the soundtrack to the movie ‘Twin Town’ (for which it was written). We are told this film was the Welsh equivalent of ‘Trainspotting’.
(Point PNTV119CD) (distributed by Voiceprint)

(Reviewed by Phil Jackson)