Issues: Issue 191 - November 2004
Local Review: Nate Padley – Monster of Vision
Nate Padley Monster of Vision Soundco Records N. Padley = Cowboy Junkies + Bob Dylan (circa Oh Mercy) + Steve Malkmus Nate Padley hits the “life is full of pain but art makes it tolerable” nail on the head—in a solemn, sincere way. He plays an army of instruments on Monster of Vision but
Local Review: Micah Dahl Anderson – EP #1
Micah Dahl Anderson EP #1 Mother Clucker Micah Dahl Anderson = Patti Smith + Death Cab for Cutie acoustic Tranquil folksy indie guitar stuff swaps off with Tourette Syndrome outbursts of frantic panic sans swearing. Nick Drake overtones swell and ripple, early Radiohead bleeds through sometimes as in “Pirates of the Universe;” if emo in
Local Review: Ibex Throne – Self-titled
Ibex Throne Self-titled (Elegy Records) Ibex Throne = Mayhem + Blasphemy + Beherit + Dark Throne From the cold wastes of Salt Lake City comes one of the fastest, most brutal experiences ever. While some parts are slow and somber, Ibex Throne is typically light-speed. The searing death growls and tortured screams of vocalist
Local Review: Fail to Follow – Self-Titled
Fail to Follow Self-Titled FTF = AFI + Sick of It All (neutered) More punk than most hardcore bands that decided they were good enough musicians to show off, Fail to Follow is not unlistenable at all—mediocre, maybe, but definitely not unlistenable. The lyrics aren’t whiny and the vocals actually sound like they have
Local Review: Drug – Self-titled
Drug Self-titled Drug = Dub Pistols + ‘Quette Daddie’s casio Eclectic hip-hop outfit Drug engages old-fashioned movie clips mix with rumba beats, disembodied vocal samples, heavy beats and trilling flute stuff. However, the production’s flat and dead, and the vocal effects sound like Chipmunks zombies. Maybe Drug S5 stole ‘Quette Daddie’s Casio? Good production
Local Review: Born Free – Divine Madness
Born Free Divine Madness Born Free = John Brown’s Body + The Roots Born Free mixes hip-hop with reggae, rock, world music, techno and drum n’ bass, resulting in a diverse amalgamation that’s Jamaican first. Divine Madness is layered over with heavy electronic beats and gospel/spiritual sermonizing vocals. No slick mainstream 50 Cent here.
Review: Fairlight Children – 808 Bit
FAIRLIGHT CHILDREN 808 BIT SPV 5/5 I honestly was not going to review this CD because, first of all, I’m still a little shy about admitting my newfound love for Apoptygma Berzerk and coming out of the closet recently with that whole thing. And second, because Fairlight Children really don’t fit in this genre (even
Review: Eric Wikman – I’m A Believer
ERIC WIKMAN (DEEPSWING) “I’M A BELIEVER” Generate Music Oh my God! From the man of gospel and disco, jazz and soul, Eric Wikman, comes another powerful roof-raisin’ lover of a track. Seriously people—this is it! If you missed church last week, just drop the needle and throw the phones on your ears. “I’m a believer”
Review: Devendra Banhart – Niño Rojo
DEVENDRA BANHART NIÑO ROJO Young God A companion piece to Banhart’s well received album Rejoicing in the Handsthat was released earlier this year. For the uninitiated Devandra Banhart is a fine songsmith who captures the starkness of label mate/co-producer Michael Gira’s dark folk experiments but adds a quirky twist that puts forward a recklessness and
Review: Charmparticles – Sit Down For Staying
CHARMPARTICLES SIT DOWN FOR STAYING Childstar Sit Down for Staying is supposed to be an updated variation on the shoegazer theme. It is full of guitars taken from Ride records, blue prints from Slowdive and given a touch of warmth that reminds me of current popsters The Stars. It does however lack the delicate balance