Reviews

Weekly Reviews For September 12, 2004

Review Index

I am also Assistant Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

Recent reviews include
Rush - Chronicles (The Video Collection)
Deep Purple - The Early Years
Damageplan - New Found Power
Whitesnake - The Early Years

You will also find some reviews at spacerock.co.uk

The Rocker
New releases from;
Superczar - Pop Art
Various - Further Adventures of the Telepathic Explorers
When's The Future - Then
And many more....

 

New Reviews

NORTHERN REMEDY - Live

NICE N SLEAZYS LMHR EVENT – 5TH AUGUST

From the 1st note Sleazy’s knew that Northern Remedy had arrived. They played great tracks from the EP, beauties such as Cup of Coffee, The Way It Is and V E G A S the crowd were in for a treat – an exceptional performance from the Dundee 4. Their songs are funky with a Rock N Roll twist, how refreshing to hear the harmonica along with some very dirty bass lines. It’s inspirational to hear a talented female bassist playing such great riffs. Gav’s voice is one on its own, haunting and melodic with a gritty edge so powerful it makes your skin tingle. A good balance of chilled out ballad numbers and punchy tunes with catchy lyrics, there is something to suit every mood. Blackbird is truly beautiful and touchy feely, Mr. Jones’s Daughter is outstanding, a tantalizing bluesy number about a very dirty girlie and it rocks. The crowd was clapping, dancing and stamping their feet and the mood was high. Northern Remedy are a cracking band.

Review by Katey J

Northern Remedy are:

Gav - Vocals, Harmonica and Guitar
Andy - Guitar/Backing vocals
Jenny - Bass
Graeme - Drums

The EP "Red Eyes" is out now.

Sarah McLachlan - World On Fire

Sarah McLachlan is held in high regard, as much for her founding of Lillith Fair, the all-female tour that re-energised female musicians, as she is for her music, which has always been amazingly non-confrontational. She produces the kind of sensitive folk rock that has kept many a librarian and her cat company over the years. And there is nothing wrong with that. People need to have a sanctuary of their own, and music is as safe a haven as any.

On her latest release, McLachlan breaks no new ground, but "World On Fire" is a delicate song with beautifully constructed lyrics, and while it won't change the world, it's gentle spirit is preferable to the anodyne non-music that occupies the airwaves. I'd rather have this than Britney. The Junkie XL remix, however, crosses a line that should have stayed untroubled.

The Buzzrats - Wondering Where You Are

Pretty damned good this. Lots of nice songs delivered almost dead pan by singer Steve Leggett, music described by one reviewer as inhabiting the 'gaseous hazes and swampy bogs of the American musical landscape'. I kind of know what he means.

What I do know about the Buzzrats (Their web site www.thebuzzrats.com is still under construction) is that they seem to write quite a bit of music for films and comparisons have been made with the musical approach of Phil Ochs. More telling perhaps is the number of musical genres reviewers compare the band with. They seem to straddle the genres like a colossus (Sorry about the cliche!) I heard them described as 'ambient folk punk' who are capable of sounding space rocky (Listen to the end of 'Fireproof Box') There some pretty telling lyrics on this album, like on 'Belief' (Be careful there!) 'Cool Papa Bell' and 'Mongoose' are almost sing alongs (Well they are really!) while 'Mingus on the Bandstand' is real haunting stuff. Nice to hear the band having a little bit of a 'blast' on 'Greaser' with some wild guitar from Vino Veasley.

The Buzzrats adopt a truly eclectic approach to music using a wide array of instruments, lots of percussion, Charlie Murphy leading that end of things nicely. Neil Young would be proud of 'If You Haven't Any Hay' while I thought of Lou Reed at the start of 'Fireproof Box' (Also on 'Monday (What I Know)') The 14 track album ends with a lovely little ballad entitled 'Six Degrees'- that one's definitely not from any swamp! An atmospheric, quite unique album that will repay repeated listening.

(Reviewed by Phil Jackson for Zeitgeist)

Chris Bottomley - Cerebral Lubrication

Here's a hint, musician types. If you want to get into my good books, don't send me a CD of sprawling instrumental fusion jams. Send me a double CD of sprawling instrumental fusion jams!

Chris Bottomley is a singer, bassist and percussionist who has been performeing across North America for the past fifteen years, producing music that, although fundamentally jazz based, draws on rock, funk, soul, reggae and world music to produce true fusion. You may think it's too jazzy for you, but if you've ever sat in the dark listening to Pierre Moerlens Gong or possibly even Mickey Harts less irritating releases, then you're going to feel very happy here.

'Cerebral Lubrication' takes some highlights from his earlier releases, 'Brainfudge' and 'Knotty Bits' and remixes them alongside some live material recorded at the Bamboo Club in Toronto, producing an epic, vital and enthralling 2CD set.

Chris is a fantastic bass player, but never allows his instrument to dominate proceedings, instead drawing upon the skills of such luminaries as Richard Underhill on saxophones, Odel Johnson on drums and Ken Myhr on guitar.

Among the many (many) highlights are the djembe driven 'African Head Dub', the lament 'My Heart Beating' and my particular favourite, 'Trouble Makin' Freakazoid'. This set is a pure trip, in the best sense of the word, and something you really ought to experience.

Phoenix - Everything Is Everything

A bit late for what passes for summer, but this hould have been the soundtrack to your late evening party on the patio. Bright, cheery, uplifting, where's Eric and Ernie when you need them?

A little bit funky, a little bit New Order, a little bit lounge, but done in a fresh, sleel style. Pop music done properly.

Orange - Perform Bossa Nova Baby and other great songs associated with the King

It's always a little bit dangerous covering the King, but Orange have taken some classics, dusted them down with a sprinkling of their own magic dust, and come up with something a little bit special.

They've adopted an alt-country / Americana style whic suits the songs and takes away some of the Hollywood sheen which spoilt them first time round, even resurrecting the dire "Bossa Nova Baby" to an almost dignified state.

They even show that they can cut it live, with a crack at the Percy Mayfield number, "Stranger In My Own Home Town", demonstrating that they love the music and aren;t just another so-so novelty act. recommended.

1. Bossa Nova Baby
2. I Really Don't Want To Know
3. Moody Blue
4. Don't Cry Daddy
5. Stranger In My Own Home Town