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DJ Quik Rhythm-al-lism (Profile/BMG) Hey, you! Yes, you... I got sumthin' for ya mouth! Songs like "Down, Down, Down," "You'z a Gangster" and "I Useta Know Her" will satisfy those of you with a soft spot for synth, vocoder effects and bass. DJ Quik may change his hairstyle with every album, but he sticks to a strict mix of musicality and the previously mentioned ingredients when he puts a record out. I would play this album if I wanted my blind date to leave the premises fairly quickly, but I would also play it for your mama, 'cuz I know she loooooves Quik! 6.5/10 (Scott C) The Living End Self-titled (Reprise/Warner) Rockabilly with more of a lean towards the Dead Kennedy's East Bay Ray than Hasil Adkins. Chris Cheney's guitar playing can put up a half decent fight with Reverend Horton Heat and Brian Setzer for twang superiority, but it's pop sensibility and arrangements that may give the Living End the staying power they may need when the rockabilly bubble bursts. In a perfect world, this shit should be played to death on Top 40, but who the hell am I kidding. 7/10 (Johnson Cummins) Opening for Offspring at the Molson Centre, Thurs. March 4, 8pm, $25 Various Would You Go to Bed With Me? (V2) This is one of those "something for everyone," middle-of-the-road dance compilations. You've got your uplifting house tunes, your funky beats, your R&B, your jump-up jungle and your progressive "take-me-on-a-journey" tracks--all on one CD. Featuring artists like Jungle Brothers, Headrillaz and new teen sensation Billy Crawford. It didn't make me feel like sleeping with anyone, but it didn't totally put me to sleep either. 7/10 (Krista) Hank Dogs Bareback (Hannibal/Rykodisc)
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A band called the Hank Dogs might give the impression of being some kinda American country-core outfit, but in fact they're a most unlikely trio of weathered Brits (guitarist Andy was once a Sex Pistol) and their offspring playing some of the most lyrical, delicate acoustica since Hannibal Records boss Joe Boyd produced Nick Drake and Sandy Denny in the early '70s. Lead vox Piano (yes) and harmonizer Lily place this debut firmly in the Britfolk tradition, but does anyone remember the first Suzanne Vega album? 8/10 (Chris Yurkiw)