The Stiff Sheet: April 1996

Iggy Pop
Naughty Little Doggie
Virgin Records

What exactly can we say other than, “Wow, Iggy, you’re still belting it out!” But maybe he said it best in the opening piece “I Wanna Live”: “I’m better than Pepsi / I’m cooler than MTV.” No argument from me. He has returned for a more Stooges sound on this one and the music is a little more tight than his rock-by-the-numbers attempt of the earlier Instinct album, that of course has to be chalked up to Steve Jones’ patented guitar style. “Pussy Walk” at times comes out a little like Lou Reed’s city dialogue and, for some reason, “Innocent World” strikes me as a Tom Petty throwback, but not enough of a distraction to cover up his disjointed humor with lines like “Can your pussy smile” or “Innocent innocent world / With a cute little monkey on my back.” Of course, we still get some of those rebel anthems he’s known for in the pieces “I Wanna Live” and “To Belong,” but it’s the final track, “Look Away,” that is the most impressive with the words. Good album with none of the watering down that marked the earlier Bowie-worked albums, but it still pales next to his earlier Stooges, Raw Power, and Fun House.  —JAND

Love And Rockets
Sweet F.A.
American Records 

The title song to Love And Rockets’ latest CD is a slight surprise. “Sweet F.A.” is a pretty acoustic ballad. No need to worry, they haven’t gone folk. “Judgement Day” is more like it. There’s the doom and gloom along with some blasts of noise. Daniel Ash, David J. and Kevin Haskins have plenty of help. Violin, cello and pedal steel guitar all appear in one song or another. Female backing vocals are also a part of the music. “Use Me” is an astounding song of darkness and depth. By “Fever” it has become clear that Love And Rockets have made a masterwork. A heartbeat rhythm, organ, Fender Rhodes piano and vocals to wake the dead. The next tune continues the journey. “Sweet Lover Hangover” has layer upon layer of sound ecstasy. They can do pop too. “Pearl” is lush pop with barely a trace of goth. When the beam reaches “Natacha,” they do a perfect Beatles imitation. They are craftsmen. Much of the CD was done in one or two takes. Quite possibly the best thing Love And Rockets has ever done. They will be in Salt Lake City on April 13. Opening for them are the Dandy Warhols. The show was sold out long ago, probably on the basis of the Dandy Warhols’ appearance. If you don’t have a ticket there is a choice. Pay a scalper an outrageous price or pay about $14 for the CD and listen in the comfort of your home. —Borracho

The Jesus Lizard
Shot
Capitol Records

I got this CD on Thursday afternoon, and I can’t tell you how happy I was. I believe The Jesus Lizard to be one of the greatest bands to grace the planet. And as I got into my car and put the CD into the player, I knew the day couldn’t let me down. The dissonant strands of “Thumper” started to pummel me. I came to a stop sign bobbin’’ my little head back and forth and stopped. I saw some car slowin’ down to turn and no traffic behind that so I floored it. BANG. She didn’t turn, and The Jesus Lizard totaled my car. And like some strange whiskey-infected song I got out my car to see if this lady was alright and between her shoveling scoops of ice cream down her throat she was fine. Too bad she didn’t die. Anyways the record as always is superior, the tour I’m sure will be exceptional except they aren’t coming to Utah. The best fuckin’ live band in the world and they aren’t coming to where I live. I will answer all the questions Jesus Lizard fans: No, they haven’t sold out as far as I can hear. Yes, you can tell that Steve Albini didn’t record the record (no, that doesn’t mean it sucks). No it is not a sequel to Goat. Yes, David Yow still sounds like he drank chlorine for breakfast. Yes, buy the fuckin’ record. For those of you who do not know what The Jesus Lizard sounds like… What, do you live under a rock? Oh, yeah, The Jesus Lizard owes me a car. —Sausage King

Drill
DV8 Records

A CD from a label named after a local club. There’s a Chrissie Hynde lookalike, at a young age, on the back cover sucking her thumb and pulling down the leather jeans to expose her panties. Right next to her is a guy displaying two outstretched fingers. Hmmm. The name is pretty cool — ”DRILL.” I think Helen Wolf in his/her male persona is pictured at the far left. You have Helen, Lurch, Chrissie, Syd and Drella playing in the band. (Now be careful here. They might come to town and you’ll have to interview them.) “I Like You” is without a doubt the song the radio will play. Will it be The End, X-96 or K-BEER? This girl, investigating the booklet I find that her name is Lucia Cifarelli, has captured my mind with her voice. How many octaves can she span? Probably at most two. Her band does heavy metal. I’m supposed to call it alternative in the world of the present except it sounds like heavy metal with a girl singer. The disc brought about me a head bang and that sensuous voice created a lump in my denims. Something about denim, leather, and exposed panties, I guess. Then she started to sing about sucking: “You suck the life out of me / You suck.” Say what? Good disc from Drill!

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Edwin McCain
7 Year Bitch