RUSH - In Rio

Aak! Where the hell did that cover come from. Ronnie James Dio reject pile. Frighteningly bad. Anyway, "Rush in Rio" is the fifth live album to grace the discography of everyones most reviled Canadian trio. Five, I hear you cry. Whats that all about. Well, it's really handy for people like me who got bored when they turned into a Police tribute band about 1983. You get to hear some of the more recent stuff, but there's enough classics peppered around to save the skip button being worn down. Granted it's only four years since the 3CD
"Different Stages", but what the hey.

This was only meant to be a DVD release, but the band liked the audio so much, they set it free, hence 3 (yes, 1 more than 2, it's like punk never happened) CDs. Which means it's a bit rougher than the predecessors, and all the better for it. Bar the strange version of "2112" on CD2, where it sounds like Geddy Lee has only just been introduced to the tune, rather than one he's been singing for 25 years. In fact, CD2 won't be gracing the ceedee player very often.

Unlke CD Number 1, an absolute stormer from openere "Tom Sawyer" through "Free Will" via "YYZ". Truly astounding. CD3 is a winner as well. I mean come on. "Limelight", "La Villa Strangiato", "Spirit Of Radio", "By Tor...", "Cygnus X-1/" and "Working Man"! In that order. One after the other! Awesome.

This was the final concert of the Vapor Trails tour, with Rush performing to an ecstatic audience of 60,000 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on November 23, 2002. Granted, they haven't visited theses shores in a long time. I think "Roll The Bones" was out when I chatted up a girl behind the counter in Woolworths and took her along. Well, you had to. How many attractive young ladies are there selling you Rush CDs who already have a ticket to see Rush.

Fans will already have the DVD, audiophiles will miss out on Neil Peart's revolving drum kit and it won't win over anyone new, but with the band possibly lowering the flag for the final time, this is an excellent swansong. And ignore the gripers who complain about how heavy this is. It's supposed to be.

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PENNY JO PULLUS - My Turn To Howl

Penny Jo Pullus has come up with a rather splendid blend of nu country and power pop that blends in some elements of traditional country, just to keep the hat brigade happy. There is a clash of styles that might put some of the old school off, especially if you jump from the most traditional track, "Hardly A Day Goes By" to the almost Raspberries pop sound of "Romeo".

Penny has a rich voice and lyrically steps sideways from the my man done left me school of heartache, instead utilising the singer/songwriter handbook to great effect. This is her third album, and you can suss out the experience that has led to this excellent CD. The bes of the lot round our way has to be the organ driven, "Don't Get Me Started", which is one of the finest songs I've heard this year.

http://www.pennyjopullus.com

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IN CAHOOTS - “All That”

Even more jazzy than last year’s ‘ outstanding ‘Out of the Blue’ except for the superb prog rock intonations of the closer ‘Your Root 2’ with its magical synth work, bass as lead solo, vibes and an overall approach befitting Return to Forever at their best, ‘All That’ is as brilliant as you’d expect from such a fine set of musicians. One change in the line-up from last time- Mark Fletcher is in for Pip Pyle. Regrettable though that may be (I am a great fan of Pyle’s playing), that is soon forgotten when listening to Mark’s octopodous playing on the effervescent opener ‘Black Cat’ or on the stunning farewell- the aforementioned ‘Your Root 2’.

Everyone gets a workout in the first 13 minutes of ‘Black Cat’- Pete Lemer is first up with an electric piano solo, then it’s the turn of bassist Fred Baker, Jim Dvorak on trumpet, Elton Dean (Isn’t he just everywhere?) on sax. Miller doesn’t take as many solos as you might expect but what he does is sheer quality as you would expect! Things quieten down (a bit) on ‘Big Dick’, a Lemer composition (Something to do with Mr Morrissey perhaps?) and the bass line is quite broody, the whole piece electrically charged. The mood on the Baker track ‘Upside’ is almost jaunty with pianist Lemer taking a leading role. All the other compositions are by Miller himself and overall this is an essential addition to any serious jazz rock fan’s collection. There is also a lot there for lovers of prog rock- the music was conceived at Seattle’s Progman Cometh festival after all!
Contact: www.cuneiformrecords.com
(Cuneiform Records Rune 181)

(Phil Jackson for Zeitgeist)

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CANAAN - A Calling To Weakness

This is Canaan’s fourth full-length release, and the first to come our way, but it's downright depressing and melancholic. Dripping, dark and heavy. Just the way we like it.

"To Those Who Cried", is a moody opener, which sets the scene for the rest of the ceedee, with a deep bass and rain beating against the speakers. Dunno what they're singing about, but frankly it doesn't matter much. It's the effect, not the meaning. There are some spoken English vocals on "Prayer For Nothing", one of the more traditional gothic tracks on offer. If you're looking for one number to sum the CD up, look no further than "The Forever Passion", where we are mournfully informed that "we are the children of nothing". Nice.

"Submission" also rates highly with its layered vocals and near Gregorian chant, although it's one of the less dense offerings. If you're a fan of melancholia and brooding dark music, then this is an album you ought to own.

http://www.canaan.it

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PULSE ENGINE - Polarised

Straight out of London come Nick Cottam on bass / vocals and Andrew Booker on drums / vocals. Now when you whap this into the five inch round slot that passes for audio equipment, the first thing you think is "Blimey, Jon Anderson sounds well these days". Except of course it isn't Yes,although with all the remix malarkey they're up to these days, the line is blurred.

Pulse Engine, however, are heading down a more ambient, trippier road than the Yes like ones, and if you paid attention to the first paragraph, you'll also notice that they're several instruments down on the prog behemoths. For ample evidence of the remarkable talent on display here, head off to "Synchronise Day", a stupendous quasi jazz fusion offering which heads off to a world of their own. Another highlight is "Hayal Kahvesi" where the gumby festival crowd will cream their already stained jeans, so Tentacle like in its approach.

You would think that the scope of their music would be limited by the instrumentation, instead it's freed their imagination to explore a whole style of drum'n'bass. Highly recommended.

http://www.pulse-engine.com

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Pounding the World like a Battering Ram
Another Rapid Fire Singles Roundup

THEA GILMORE - Mainstream

Surprisingly boring, given the quality work she's known for, and issuing 3 CD singles is taking the piss. However, there are some excellent songs strung out across the releases with "Goodnight Copenhagen" being a particularly fine nufol workout.

UNKLE - Eye For An Eye

Never liked Mr Lavelles previous work, and you'd think with my Temptations fixation I'd burn all over a defiler of "Ball Of Confusion". But this is fabulous. Bleep bleep. Cool video as well.

IRON MAIDEN - Rainmaker

Dull in the extreme, but the orchestral version of "Dance Of Death" makes it all worthwhile. Nice to see their infantile sense of humour is intact. "More Tea Vicar".

MEAT LOAF - Man Of Steel

Written by Nikki Sixx. Yes, you read that right. Motley Crue Nikki Sixx. Amazingly enough, this sounds like every other Meat Loaf record in the last ten years. Ah, well, loks like we'll wait a little while longer for the "Live Wire " cover version.

THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS - Get Yourself High

Bleep bleep. Doof doof. "Get Yourself High". there I've saved you the bother of buying this with my note perfect rendition.

NO DOUBT - It's My Life

A remarkable band. To have survived so long with so little talent. Mind you, this is the best record they've ever released. Probably due to the fact that it's a note perfect karaoke rendition of the Talk Talk classic. Not as good as my Chemical Brothers impersonation, but there you go. However, do not, repeat do not, allow subsequent tracks o escape your loudspeakers.

PRIMAL SCREAM & KATE MOSS - Some Velvet Morning

On the subject of stretching a sliver of talent into a career, here's jack of all trades, masters of none, Primal Scream messing up a perfectly good 60s tune. Hunt down Vanilla Fudges cover if you want to hear something good. Even Weatherall has lost it.

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - We're All In Love

Blimey! Who's the fat bloke in the middle. Brian Molko with a wig? Must be good pie eating times in BRMC world. And what's with the posters. Iron Maiden, Meat Loaf and now BRMC. Anyway, this isn't the good song they have, it's the middling one where they don't quite rock hard enough. Some nice subliminal whoo whoos though. Must be nice only having 2 songs. Saves on writers block.