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The Spinanes Arches and Aisles (SubPop/Warner) Upon the release of their debut album in 1993, I recall the only allure of this indie-rock duo being drummer Scott Plouf's new wave look. But album #3 finds vocalist/guitarist Rebecca Gates all by her lonesome (with temp help from folks like Doug Easley of the Memphis studio, and John McEntire, of Tortoise), so what does that leave? Well, surprisingly, Gates has learned to sing (somewhat) and write a tune (sometimes), but I still can't believe she has a contract. 4/10 (Chris Yurkiw) Black Eyed Peas Behind the Front (Interscope/Universal) My job basically entails writing up various artists so that you, the person reading this, can decide if you even want to begin to think about buying something (based on my overrated opinion, of course). This one is very simple. BEP sounds like Tribe, the Roots and De La Soul all rolled up in one tight little package. Sound ill? These guys don't take themselves too seriously, achieving a comfortably playful vibe that I was surprised to find intact even towards the end of the record. There's some jiggy in here too, but it sounds like they're making fun of somebody. Oh yeah, buy this. At Smokin' Grooves, Parc Jarry, Thursday, July 23 8/10 (Scott C)
Jazz-fest perennial Setzer was absent this year, but we've got this to tide us over. This is one Stray Cat who can fend for himself, which is saying a lot, given how many mangy mousers there are lurking around the mean streets of the new swing revival. Most are anemic cliché coppers, fit to be put down just as soon as they make it through the umpteenth cover of "Minnie the Moocher." Setzer's blend of brassy swing, rockabilly raunch, burlesque sleaze and Polynesian breeze not only spares him the pound, it crowns him king of the jungle. All hail! 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) Shemekia Copeland Turn Up the Heat (Alligator)
This 19-year-old vocalist defies the image of the aging blues lady with a fresh approach to an old style. Hailing not from the typical Southern blues stomping grounds, but from the colourful streets of Harlem, Copeland licks blues chops like she means it. Though done-me-wrong songs like "Salt in My Wounds" are questionable material for a teenager, Copeland more than fits the bill on musical stories like "Ghetto Child" and gutsy tracks like "Big Lovin' Woman." 7/10 (Gerard Dee)
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The Brian Setzer Orchestra The Dirty Boogie (Interscope/Universal)