Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds No More Shall We Part (Reprise/Warner)
Danko Jones I'm Alive and On Fire (Danko Jones/Outside) All right, what kind of chumps does this Danko Jones fella take us for? We already have most of these songs from his first two EPs. Well, the first-time inclusion of such dirty ditties as "Rock Shit Hot" and six other tunes culled from Jones's earlier punker days sends a message that maybe he should screw his current Big Sugar path and return to letting it all hang out. As good as his new songs are, they just can't hold a candle to the punk bliss of screamers like "I'm Alive and On Fire" and "Cadillac" and that makes this more than a worthwhile buy even if you have the two EPs. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Stereophonics Just Enough Education to Perform (V2/BMG) It comes on strong with Led Zep riffs and soul ladies on backup but the third album by Stereophonics (the other well-loved Welsh rock trio) is largely acoustic and touchy-feely, even verging on Travis territory. While the Manics have toughened up and stayed sharp, gravel-throated Kelly Jones and company have penned a pack of mellow sing-along ditties for dumb yet sensitive pub boys. There are some pleasant pop tunes, particularly "Have a Nice Day," but the structures, melodies and lyrics feel overly simplistic and radio-friendly, in true post-Oasis form. 5/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
They might be cartoon bonhommes, but Gorillaz turn out tunes that leave most of their flesh-and-blood colleagues in the dust. A full multimedia experience, from interactive mystery to cartoon character history and bathroom grafs, Gorillaz (Noodle, 2D, Murdoc and Russell) bring it to you with alterna-samplistic electroni-rock-hop breakbeat pugilism. With real, live, human guests such as Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, Ibrahim Ferrer, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and Jamie Hewlett (remember Tank Girl?), this adventure in soundscaping comes together under the watchful eye of producer Dan the Automator, the sonic criminal responsible for Handsome Boy Modelling School and Deltron 3030. Gorillaz trample over categorical barriers and have fun doing it. 9/10 (Lateef Martin) Cappadonna The Yin and the Yang (Razor Sharp/Sony) I remember speaking to Cappadonna on the phone just prior to the release of his first album The Pillage, and there's one thing I can say for sure. Although not on the same level of raw insanity that seems to brim over in ODB, Donna just has this way of pushin' the lingo to the extreme that makes him at least sound crazy. He's sayin' shit that has even the other Wu members scratchin' their heads, but here it is, another album. Add this to the pile of Wu that you can Wu without, and go back and listen to Ghostface's Iron Man if you've got some time, which I'm sure you will because this is a complete waste of it. Yet another chapter in the RZA's continuing saga, "Music to wash dishes to." 6.5/10 (Scott C) Clouddead self-titled (Big Dada/Outside) If you've ever wondered if I was going to review a Ninja Tune record that I didn't like, you're in luck this week. I hate Clouddead. Simple and plain. This record is for someone who gets high on paint thinner and bites their nails down to the bone. The trio of Dose One, why? and Odd Nodsam ride the experimental trolley all the way out of my ability to find any sort of enjoyment in their record, all the time clinging ever so slightly to a fairly opaque hip hop sensibility. However, for the same reasons that this album made me run the other way, some of you may want to venture a little closer. Just be careful. 6/10 (Scott C) Crane A.K. Pink Eyed Pony (Forcetracks) While Force Inc. can be a bit glitchy and clickly for most palates, you can always count on their sub- label Forcetracks to come through with more straightforward dancefloor material that still manages to sound fresh. Berlin's Crane A.K. are no exception, bringing beats that fit into the slightly more than minimal category and beautiful sounds reminiscent of Swayzak or early jungle records. There are enough subtle, experimental touches to keep your ears perked, but if you'd rather stick to nodding your head and dancing that's just fine too. 9/10 (Chris Hatherill)
The latest trend in Europe for electronica compilations is the hotel lounge/bar comp. But we're not talking just any kind of hotel--no Best Western or Comfort Inn Suites, please. Only top-of-the-line boutique hotels need apply. Think more le Germain, the Delano or, in the case of this latest two-CD offering from French label Apricot, l'Hotel Square in Paris, where every evening the eternally young, hip set (read: you and me) gather in the lounge for cocktails. The sultry musical selection being pumped into the room like an intoxicating, aphrodisiac gas ranges from Jaffa, Llorca and Fingathing early in the evening to the nu-jazz sounds of Beanfield, Kevin Yost and the Rurals late at night. Ah, we're all beautiful and life is grand. 7.5/10 (Krista) Soulstice Illusion (Om/Fusion III) This San Francisco quartet has been making tidal waves in the West Coast acid jazz scene for years and has drawn in the likes of Mark Farina and Kevin Yost as acolytes. Illusion is a refined and potent collection of songs that rewrites the rulebook for "futuristic, electronic soul." Apart from the C-drive elements of drum & bass, ambient, trip hop and loungey, jazzified house there is some genuine musicianship in the form of nifty horn and string arrangements. Providing the cool whip for this sexy aural confection is Gina René, who has a singing style that can rejuvenate a dying rose and displays an introspective lyricism that compliments the album's haunting melodies. Illusion has "sleeper" hit written all over it and that is no mirage. 9/10 (Peter Lightburn) Andy Caldwell of Soulstice DJs at Jingxi on Sat., April 28 Various Saqsaywaman (Nuff/Attic) It took me about five minutes of repeating the title to this CD to myself before I realized that it's "sexy woman" in what I'll assume is Esperanto. Now, while this mix from Paul West, a virtually unknown club and radio jock from Leeds, didn't make me feel especially sexy (if that was the point), I certainly admire West's bold and ballsy tune selection and mixing. He goes for that raw, organic feel--live percussion and instrumentation, loose and broken beats with a tribal feel from the leaders of the style like Afro Mystic, Nick Holder, Cricco Castelli and our own Fred Everything. 7.5/10 (Krista) Anne Sofie Von Otter/Elvis Costello For the Stars (Deutsche Grammophon/Universal)
R.L. Burnside Mississippi Hill Country Blues (Fat Possum/Epitaph) Well, well, well. Knowing that Burnside's edging closer to going to the big juke joint in the sky, Fat Possum put together a 19-song retrospective of work taken from his days in the early '80s, recorded during some stays in Europe. His trademark John Lee Hooker "Boogie Chillun" sound is chugging fiercely but his delivery of tales of woe is perfectly intertwined with slightly more nimble-finger picking here. The simple acoustic guitar/vocal accompaniment is chilling to the bone but when R.L. croons "Crying Won't Make Me Stay," it puts goosebumps on your goosebumps. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins) Cannonball Adderley Paris Jazz Concert--Pleyel/Olympia (Olivi/Dep) Thelonious Monk Paris Jazz Concert--Olympia (Olivi/Dep) These are two of a dozen CDs just released in Canada (another 23 are promised by summer). As the titles suggest, these are concert recordings. The Cannonball is from a pair of concerts that took place in 1960 and '61. They capture an exciting group consisting of his brother Nat Adderley, Victor Feldman, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes and, guesting, Ron Carter. "Jeannine," "In Walked Ray" and "Bohemia After Dark" are among the choice items. The Monk captures his quartet of Charlie Rouse, Larry gales and Ben Riley on a particularly good night in '65. "Sweet and Lovely" is here along with such classic Monk compositions as "Evidence" and "Four in One." Great music, great sound, great price! Adderley 9/10, Monk 10/10 (Len Dobbin) |
My friend Beatrice, who loves this disc, said I have to use the word "wholesome" in my review. Cool, but I'm not using wholesome in the sense of, like, really good Wonder Bread, but wholesome like some earth-soul-mother-universe-conscious type vibe. India speaks the truth and laces it with guitar-driven soul that comes correct, whether she's discussing intimate relations ("Brown Skin"), a mother's love ("Promise"), personal growth ("Strength, Courage & Wisdom") or giving major props to Stevie Wonder ("Wonderful"). In the lead single from the set, "Video," India lets you know that she's "Not the average girl from your video/ My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes." True dat, because just plain average would be a step down. 9/10 (Gerard Dee)
Desperate love, madness, sadness, religious fervour, fear, murder. As usual, Nick Cave is not kidding. Album # 11 for Cave and his Bad Seeds is a highly dramatic yet understated collection. These nine dark, epic ballads showcase Cave's piano and emotive vocals, which sound incredibly like Bryan Ferry at times. Backing vocals (by our own McGarrigle sisters), guitars, strings, organ and drums are left in the background, save for a few brief, chaotic climaxes. The religious balladry flavour of many tracks will disappoint some fans, but the songs are still strong if you like 'em heavy. 7/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Gorillaz self-titled (Parlophone/EMI)
VariousPrivate Lounge (Apricot/Inca)
The culmination of several years of collaboration and a decade of mutual admiration, For the Stars finds that irascible elf Costello in the company of Swedish classical chantoozy Von Otter, a Captain to her Tenille kinda deal. The opera lady, who is not fat, reels it in tastefully--Wagnerian bombast would hardly suit these interpretations. It's a sort of living-room cabaret of tunes by Tom Waits, Ron Sexsmith, Brian Wilson and Costello himself, who leads a crack Swedish ensemble through elements of Celtic folk, pop, classical and jazz. Special bonus: Abba's Benny Andersson drops in on a pair of songs. 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)