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The Strike Shots Heard Around the World (Victory) Directed towards the skinny tie set, Chicago's the Strike give nods to Paul Weller, the Jam, Stiff Little Fingers and a Give 'Em Enough Rope-era Clash. Despite the vocals being mixed irritatingly low, the melodies remain intact. At their best, the Strike seem to beat Rancid at their own game of resurrecting U.K. '77; at their worst, like a talented Ripcordz. With a huge knack for catchy songwriting, it seems too bad that almost every track on this great testament to everything pop punk is marred with an irritating trumpet track. Bonus points for covering the Neurotic's "Fragile Life." 8/10 (Johnson Cummins) Adam X Wax Trax! MasterMix (TVT/Universal) This is "hahd-core," New York style. Pop in this mix CD and you'll be transported to an abandoned warehouse or loading dock in some devilishly fantastic and sketchy part of the concrete jungle. There are no fancy light shows and no working toilets, but it's all good because Brooklyn's Adam X has got a techno vice grip round your head... and you like it. Featuring minimalist mavens like Aubrey, Gez Varley, Kenny Larkin and more. 8/10 (Krista) Various Family Values Tour '98 (Immortal/Sony)
Funki Porcini The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds (Ninja Tune/Outside) Ninja Tune's most well-travelled artist finally returns with his third full length. The resident Ninja sex addict has been holed up in the countryside for the past few years, searching within and trying to fill The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds. At last he succeeded, and has brought you, the listener, this treasure of mad horn riffs, samples from The Price Is Right and devastating cut-up beats. There's even a little of his Tales of the City experience in there. 8/10 (Krista) Various Life soundtrack (Rockland/Interscope)
Assembling the usual throng of capable artists and the production talents of R. Kelly and yes, Wyclef Jean, half of these songs have nothing to do with the movie--but who cares! We got the Isley Bros., Brian McKnight, Maxwell, Xzibit, K-CI & JoJo and DJ Quik all on one album. For all you R&B fans who have a soft spot for some of those new country babes, there's a track here called "Speechless" featuring Trisha Yearwood over some R. Kelly sweetness. Not for you? Then check Wyclef's new joint "New Day" or DJ Quik's "It's Like Everyday," and maybe these jams will inspire you to go and see the movie. You know I'm going. 7/10 (Scott C)
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What do you do when a concert doesn't visit your hometown? Pick up the CD. Korn's Family Values tour featured different styles that represent the same energy, mixing hip hop with metal, a bit of techno (a bit of breakdancing, too!) and even some cheesy-ass covers (Limp Bizkit do George Micheal's "Faith"!?) Tidbits of hip hop interludes by DJ C-Minus smooth everything out quite nicely, and Ice Cube serves up some True School rap à la NWA. But next time, less Limp Bizkit and more Incubus & Rammstein! 8/10 (Lateef Martin)