Reviews

Weekly Reviews For October 1, 2006

Review Index

I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

I am also featured reviewer at spacerock.co.uk

I was Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

New Reviews

857 - Joke's Over

And now it's time for the return of 857 about whom we've said "Harking back to the days of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, but with a dark edge found with the likes of Marxman, they comfortably mix up social issues and fun issues without deflecting from some powerful beats."

And I know I said I was implementing a hip hop ban round our way until the community cleans up their foul mouthed misogynist act, but 857 actually have some interesting things to say.

They actually appear to put some thought into their music instead of relying on the same old recycled samples. When they hit top form as they do on "Innovative Hip Hop" and "Hiphopanymous", you can almost forgive the moments when they tumble head long int the big hole marked 'cliche'.

I still say the hip hop world is currently an utter disgrace and yearn for the days when it was a positive force for change, but for at least half this album, there is a smidgeon of hope.

Low Life Rock n' Roll Philosophers - Hiding Place


Well straightaway I can commend them on a splendid, if overly long, name and the return of the lengthy instrumental intro, little heard these days. And then the idiosyncratic voice of vocalist Noora Tommita arrives, and you find yourself getting sucked into a strange and interesting world.

For despite their name, the music only has a tenuous link to the world of conventional rock and roll, operating in a destructured format which places as much emphasis on sound and space as it does on melody. And if that doesn't get me a slot in the pseud drenched world of Uncut and Mojo, nothing will! Which means the band can go from lo-fi burblings to full on psychedelic aural assaults with ease. But then they'll throw in a waltz time ballad to mess with your head, shattering your recently formed perceptions.

A splendid release and one I can't wait to tell my friend (singular) about.

Danielle - I Only Wanna Be With You

Oh, dearie, dearie me. The only thing worse than bad karaoke is bad karaoke with a drum machine. Take it away and shoot it.

Which is a real shame because on the subsequent tracks on this EP, Danielle shows that she can actually sing. Although the attack of the 99c drum machine continues.

On the final track Danielle almost gets the chance to shine as the shoddy electronics get stripped back a bit. Just let the girl sing, for goodness sake.

Good Question - New Retro

This is quite an interesting release. Three parts classic rock to one part prog, it moves rom dense, portentious rock to modern rock radio with ease.

Largely the work of two university trained musicians, Sean Goebel and Anthony MacDonald, it's quite refreshing to hear an album which doesn't slot easily into any particular rock pigeonhole.

Where it falls down sometimes is, simply and fatally, with the songs. Tracks like "Time" and the fabulous "Out There" work a treat but too many of the others fall at the first hurdle. But there is potential and talent to work with, so fingers crossed, they can raise the game next time out.

Invite Them Up - Comedy Central

The only good thing about comedians is that they usually loathe themselves more than I loathe them.

Apparently, "Invite Them Up" is an intimate, weekly comedy show that takes place in New Yorks East Village. From the off, you hate them all. okes anout the Sixth Sense, too much screaming, an over use of profanity in lieu of saying anything funny, it's got them all.

You get the impression that everyone in the crowd is also one of the performers, as they indulge in an incestuous smugfest. And, joy of joys, it takes 3 CDs and a DVD to show you how dreadful they all are. On the plus side, there's an actual, entire ocean between us.

Dana Edelman - Mile 23


Hello and welcome to my new favourite singer / songwriter. This is one of those rare records that has a timeless quality. It could have come out any time in the last 30 years and still been of its time.

Having honed his talents on the New England acoustic circuit, Dana moved to New York, signed a deal, and produced this debut album chock full of songs you'll be playing to the end of your days.

Now I'm saying it's perfect, 'cause it's not. There are a couple of songs that don't quite have the cutting edge, but the majority of the original material just sparkles. It has an organic feel to it which makes you think the band has just set up and played it for you, and you alone.

There are two covers in addition to the nine originals, "Grandma's House" by Bill Withers (which works) and The bands "Ophelia" (which doesn't). But they show you where he's coming from and, hopefully, where he's going to. Couldn't be more highly recommended.

Drene Ivy - We Reverence Your Name / With These Hands / Paradise

Praising the Lord through the medium of smooth jazz. But with the added bonus (?) of a childrens choir popping up from time to time to prove the old adage about never working with children or deities.

Elsewhere the piano led renditions of lesser and well known pieces is actually quite enjoyable with "O Holy Night" almost downright funky.

Over in "Paradise", the vibe heavy "He Leadeth Me" is enjoyable as is the oddly out of place "Arabian Dance". Then it's off to "With These Hands" which, generally, takes a more relaxed approach to proceedings.

A Cool Devotion - Bleedthrough

I like my music organic. If you want to sound like a band, be in a band, not a Bontempi facsimile. Moan over, this one man post tock 'band' seems to have a lot of anger in his life.

The creator, Maximilian Rix, says that 'the hardest part was humanising' his PC. Something that just isn't possible. He has come up with some interesting songs with "Stop By You" an anthem for masochists everywhere.

It actually works better when he turns the rage off, as the less driven material suits the coldness of the medium better, as semonstrated on "Die In This Again|".

The Lousy Robots – The Strange and True Story of Your Life

'It's a weird disguise. Like a beard of bees,' says the band.

Is it too conservative to ask, 'what?'

Aside from the campness in PR, they are a well-to-do band. Hailing from Albuquerque, USA but with their promotions coming from a company from West Molesey in Surrey, this is about as much sense as you will make from the outfit (and this is, admittedly, almost zero). They have little streaks of Pixies and The Lemonheads and a typical USA sunshine sound surrounding all. And within their shiny alternative pop, there is a consistent melody across the songs, accompanied with chord progressions you can easily get your head round. The former is a clear let-down, though.

Mostly cynical songs with lyrics that haven't much to say, it's all nice and brought forth with a perfect, spotless recording, but you will certainly have to be in the mood for a mope because otherwise you could find that once you've come round from your trance, the CD player is on fire and blood is trailing down your arms and into your wine-soaked hands.

Reviewed by Gary Munday

Marilyn Zavidow - Love Is...

Apparently, love is music for everyone who loves. Smells like one of those sickly cartoons, but now you know. However, "Love Is..." is an absolutely delightful and lush set of contemporary interpretations of material from some of the all time great songwriters. And Marilyn herself.

No, credit where credit's due, the two originals bode well for her forthcoming album of all new material. But when you're competing against the Cole Porters and Gershwins of this world, it's going to be tough.

It's a pleasure to hear someone actually singing the songs rather than caterwauling next door to them, especially on the outstanding "If He Walked Into My Life". A rare treat, hugely recommended.