Glitter Gutter Trash
Issue 214 / October 2006 More from this Issue
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A psychotic candyland full of glam glitz, trashy pop, new wave, post-everything, retrofuturisms and distorted beauty impressionistic garble and oppressive opinion by ryan michael painter
Primal Scream
Riot City Blues
Columbia
Street: 08.22.06
Primal Scream = Rolling Stones + Dandy Warhols’ Oddities had it actually worked
The title of the album is a bit misleading. While "riot" may have been appropriate when referring to previous efforts Evil Heat or Xtrmntr only "blues" seems to come close to the truth. It would seem these noise merchants have sold their souls and synthesizers for some southern blues, which might seem like an odd departure considering Bobby Gillespie & Co. recent work but really it’s a return to the Give Out But Don’t Give In era that lifted the former Jesus & Mary Chain drummer from a footnote to opening for Depeche Mode in the US and substantial chart placement in the UK. In that light it is somewhat of a disappointment but given time Riot City Blues will undoubtedly be one of those albums that proves itself underrated upon further reflection.
Casper & the Cookies
The Optimist’s Club
Happy Happy Birthday to Me
Street: 07.25.06
Casper & the Cookies = Happy Days Cuddle Pop
It’s got to be hard to write quirky music that incorporates a bit of folk with a nostalgic twist on the pop groups of the 50’s and 60’s without sounding like a Belle & Sebastian attempt on Stars in Their Eyes. It isn’t that Casper & Co. (which includes Jason NeSmith aka Casper Fandango formerly of Of Montreal) sound exactly B&S, at times they sound nearly nothing alike (particularly the ambient guitar and jazz textures). The problem is they feel exactly alike, only in C&C’s case there isn’t an undercurrent of wit and bite that resides beneath the shiny pop surface. For those who are wistfully romantic and sugary but I’ve rotted out my teeth on sweeter stuff.
Crane Under Water
Crane Under Water
Space Rock Music
Street: 07.11.06
Crane Under Water = Mogwai – The Cure + Prog Rock
Crane Under Water wouldn’t have happened if someone hadn’t introduced him to Mogwai. I know so because he told me sitting in a cheap motel room in Salt Lake City as he drove around the country with his girlfriend passing out CD to just about anyone who would listen. Even with that in mind the album only references Mogwai in the use of quiet shifting to loud and its epic instrumental structure. There aren’t nearly the layers you’d find on a Mogwai release and from time to time the guitar dominated songs lean towards progressive rock but instead of completely turning me off to the music it surprises me. With the inclusion of a little violin here and there, some sparse drums and atmospherics the album works rather well without becoming overtly self-gratifying. Not an easy task for a one man band.
Primal Scream
Riot City Blues
Columbia
Street: 08.22.06
Primal Scream = Rolling Stones + Dandy Warhols’ Oddities had it actually worked
The title of the album is a bit misleading. While "riot" may have been appropriate when referring to previous efforts Evil Heat or Xtrmntr only "blues" seems to come close to the truth. It would seem these noise merchants have sold their souls and synthesizers for some southern blues, which might seem like an odd departure considering Bobby Gillespie & Co. recent work but really it’s a return to the Give Out But Don’t Give In era that lifted the former Jesus & Mary Chain drummer from a footnote to opening for Depeche Mode in the US and substantial chart placement in the UK. In that light it is somewhat of a disappointment but given time Riot City Blues will undoubtedly be one of those albums that proves itself underrated upon further reflection.
Casper & the CookiesThe Optimist’s Club
Happy Happy Birthday to Me
Street: 07.25.06
Casper & the Cookies = Happy Days Cuddle Pop
It’s got to be hard to write quirky music that incorporates a bit of folk with a nostalgic twist on the pop groups of the 50’s and 60’s without sounding like a Belle & Sebastian attempt on Stars in Their Eyes. It isn’t that Casper & Co. (which includes Jason NeSmith aka Casper Fandango formerly of Of Montreal) sound exactly B&S, at times they sound nearly nothing alike (particularly the ambient guitar and jazz textures). The problem is they feel exactly alike, only in C&C’s case there isn’t an undercurrent of wit and bite that resides beneath the shiny pop surface. For those who are wistfully romantic and sugary but I’ve rotted out my teeth on sweeter stuff.
Crane Under Water
Crane Under Water
Space Rock Music
Street: 07.11.06
Crane Under Water = Mogwai – The Cure + Prog Rock
Crane Under Water wouldn’t have happened if someone hadn’t introduced him to Mogwai. I know so because he told me sitting in a cheap motel room in Salt Lake City as he drove around the country with his girlfriend passing out CD to just about anyone who would listen. Even with that in mind the album only references Mogwai in the use of quiet shifting to loud and its epic instrumental structure. There aren’t nearly the layers you’d find on a Mogwai release and from time to time the guitar dominated songs lean towards progressive rock but instead of completely turning me off to the music it surprises me. With the inclusion of a little violin here and there, some sparse drums and atmospherics the album works rather well without becoming overtly self-gratifying. Not an easy task for a one man band.
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