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The Black Crowes By Your Side (American/Sony) Alright already, maybe these guys aren't as hep as the recent new crop of unapologetic rockers, but the Small Faces homage on album opener "Go Faster" sets the pace for their latest slab of no-frills southern-fried rock. These south-of-Dixie gents even beat Aerosmith at their own game in "Kickin' My Heart Around." The schmaltz does rear its ugly head on clunkers like "Only a Fool" and unfortunately, when they go looking for their own sound, they fall flat on their faces. But when they remain the Jonathan Winters of rock, they can surely do no wrong. 7/10 (Johnson Cummins) Thrush Hermit Clayton Park (Sonic Unyon) If you accept that Sloan is the best band in the country, then the next step is to realize that they've also become one of the most influential. Which is not a bad thing when they inspire the likes of former protégés Thrush Hermit to get all their members into singing and songwriting, or to get into Thin Lizzy. (The Hermit has even mimicked Sloan's career trajectory in getting out of their contract with Elektra, for whom they recorded 1997's excellent, excommunicated Sweet Homewrecker). Heavy, harmelodic and hard into '70s riffage: it's tough to make rock this fresh at the end of the century. 8.5/10 (Chris Yurkiw) Hefner Breaking God's Heart (Too Pure/Beggars Banquet) Something from the Too Pure label that's back on that imprint's ol' track of highly original Britrock (like PJ Harvey or the Faith Healers) and away from its latter-day post-rock rep (via Laika, Pram, etc.). And so Hefner--a tastily spare trio led by an idiosyncratic singer-songwriter named Darren Hayman, who aspires to write great lyrics (his hero is Billy Bragg), but does manage to sing more high and warbly and fey than, say, Steve Shelley. Not bad--but better if you like the blatantly Brit thing. 7.5/10 (Chris Yurkiw) Sly and Robbie Drum and Bass Stripped to the Bone (Palm Pictures/Outside)
"People never know what Sly and Robbie are going to do when dey come out da studio, and we never know what will happen when we go in." That's what Sly Dunbar had to say when asked if some people might be misled by the title of their new album, produced by Howie B. Although there are no breakneck-paced jump-up tracks on here, the legendary Jamaican rhythm section lays down some stimulated dub, thanks a great deal to Howie. "Howie and Lee Perry have 'nuff tings in common, but dey still two different man." This piece took a mere two days to complete, but harbours too many prime cuts to pass up. 8/10 (Scott C)
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Various For the Ladies (Super Classe/Fusion III)
Call me a sucker if you like, but you and I both know that there's something about the French and their ability to construct the best mellow soul and rare groove compilations around. DJ Zaz is at the wheel for this dip that could warm the panties off the most oblivious of listeners. You'll find the Four Tops' "Tell Me You Love Me," a song that pops just like the MC Solaar classic "Le Bien, La Mal" that it was sampled for. There's an insane version of Otis Redding's "Respect" by Rotary Connection that sounds absolutely nothing like the original, but damn does it sound good! Plus, there's my new favourite song, "I Love You" by Weldon Irvine, who sounds like Marvin Gaye with a little bit more funk. Trust me, this is not just for the ladies. 9/10 (Scott C)