Sigur Rós Agaetis byrjun (FatCat/Universal)
The Frenetics These Mistakes Took Years of Practice (Union/Sonic Unyon) The Frenetics have always been one of Montreal's shining examples of pure pop craft, but this new one is simply stunning. Song dynamics jump through hoops and manage to land on their feet every time. With a '77 Brit-punk sound mixed in with Fugazi's sense of urgency and a knack for a killer melody that Montreal hasn't seen since the Nils, this trio can do no wrong. Hardly a trip to yesteryear, though, as the amped-up tempo and attitude are very topical. Listen to this and find out what power pop is really supposed to sound like. 9/10 (Johnson Cummins)
James Pleased to Meet You (Mercury/Universal) Being Britpop's longest-running band, it's a shame James doesn't get more respect. Really now, "Laid" is getting pretty tired, and "She's a Star" is a tough listen now that Natalie Imbruglia's had her way with it (or "Torn" it, actually). This new album--produced by frequent collaborator Brian Eno, who also lends his characteristic backing vox--features instant classics as well as instant duds. Primo tracks include the solid, strummy single "Getting Away With It" and the exquisitely upbeat "Falling Down," one of several songs where singer Tim Booth becomes a woman, testicles intact. In a word, classy. 8/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
The National self-titled (Brassland)
Daniel Johnson Rejected Unknown (Gammon) Initially noticed for his tapes made while in a mental institution, Johnson is the king of naive pop with a slightly skewed view. Mental illness aside, Johnson can write some hauntingly beautiful, Lennon-esque songs. "Funeral Girl," for instance, starts off with a two-minute-long dirge before switching gears midway into a raucous R&B romp that has Johnson squealing with joy. Definitely a weird listen, but that isn't what is going to have you coming back to this. These are great songs with a heaping sense of naked honesty. 8.5/10 (Johnson Cummins) Perry Farrell Song Yet to Be Sung (Virgin/EMI)
Poets of Rhythm Discern/Define (Quannum/Outside)
VariousWaxing Off: Delicious Vinyl's Greatest Hits (Delicious Vinyl/Warner) Yikes! Any greatest hits comp that has two Tone Loc songs and two Young MC songs in the mix is pretty much guaranteed to go absolutely nowhere. Delicious Vinyl must be trying real hard to make money in 2001, selling their catalogue to Rhino and rehashing stinkers like "Funky Cold Medina" and "Bust a Move." Waxing Off wacks off further with the Whoridas' "Talkin' Bout Bank" and Born Jamericans' "Boom Shak A-Tack." Remember, these are their hits. Saving graces include the Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By" and "Runnin'," and Masta Ace's "Born to Roll," but otherwise, this is one big stroke in the wrong direction. 5/10 (Scott C) Various Isla Del Sol Uno (Isba/Dep) Somehow I think I would enjoy this mix compilation from DJs Sea and Flo a lot more if it came with the beach, ocean and glorious sunset pictured on the cover. However, despite that minor, hampering detail, Isla Del Sol Uno (translation: island of sun) is a very enjoyable collection of beach/ocean/sunset-inspired, Latin-tinged tunes. The masters of hypnotic chill-funk music like Thievery Corporation, Jamiroquai and Montreal's own Ramasutra, as well as Big Bud, Seba and more provide the vibe for this 18-track excursion to the islands. 8/10 (Krista) Christian Smith Tronic Treatment (Moonshine/Koch) Looks like the man who had a hand in launching Misstress Barbara's career is ready to take a few steps closer to the centre of the spotlight. Hailing originally from the country that apparently breeds a species of highly talented electronic musicians, Sweden, DJ/producer Smith, owner of Tronic Recordings, recently relocated to NYC to make his break into the American market. His debut mixed CD from Moonshine features 28 tracks of pumping, funky techno from names like G-Flame, Ben Sims, Gaetano Parisio, and Smith himself. 8/10 (Krista) Various Reggae: I Am King (Ocho/Fusion III) Here's a reggae comp that documents a pivotal period in the genre's evolution. The period from '75 to '79 was the era of the rockers, the stretch where Jamaican pop burst out internationally, finding its way to punk dives, discos and yacht clubs alike. Previously, the only non-Jamaicans grooving to the reggae sound were drunk skins, but as of Island's signing Marley, that all changed. This comp charts what follows, opening on Junior Murvin's powerful "Police & Thieves" from '76 (covered only a year later by the Clash) and following through with Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Dillinger, Gregory Isaacs, Black Uhuru and more. Quality production and top-ranking songcraft are in place here, and often a fierce political conviction too, more on-point than the resinous roots reggae of the rastas. 9.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg) Lil' Mo Based on a True Story (Warner) No doubt, Lil' Mo can wail. That's evident on the gospel intro to "My Story." Not surprisingly, she has no problem holding her own with R&B crooner Carl Thomas on "Player Not the Game," and goes tit for tat with Fabulous on the funky "Superwoman Pt. II." She bites Snoop Dog's "Gin & Juice" to show her homegirl style on "Keep It Gangsta," and exposes every artist's true desire on "Supastar." A combination of vocal skills and lyrical savvy keeps this one flowing. 7.5/10 (Gerard Dee) Various BeBop Spoken Here (Proper Box/SRI) This is but one of a series of very reasonably priced four-CD box sets. Heard in chronological order are 97 choice items recorded between February 16, 1944, by Coleman Hawkins and Christmas day, 1949, by Miles Davis. Included are both the famed and the lesser-known players of the era. Bird, Diz, Monk, O.P., Blakey, Klook, Ella, Sarah, the big bop bands of Billy Eckstine, Boyd Raeburn, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Benny Goodman, Tony Fruscella, Brew Moore, Frank Socolow, Allen Eager, Dave Lambert, Buddy Stewart and Jackie Cain and Roy Kral with Charlie Ventura--a cornucopia of bebop sounds. Highly recommended! 10/10 (Len Dobbin) |
This four-CD box set, looking back over a series initiated in 1972 by Patti Smith's guitarist Lenny Kaye and today compiled by some serious record nerds, is nothing short of total godhead. Compared to the first set, which concentrated more on the scope of the American garage/psych '60s scene, the second sheds all of its light on international '60s obscurities. What we end up with is more emphasis on some mindbending freakbeat, mod and gritty R&B. You may have heard of the Creation, the Small Faces, the Easybeats and the Troggs by now, but when you hear cult heroes like Brazil's Os Mutantes, the Mops and Montreal's own the Haunted, you are going to flip your wig. With 120 songs strewn over the four CDs and not a clunker in the bunch, this is a must-have for anyone who likes fuzzed-out retro stompers. 10/10 (Johnson Cummins)
Following Björk and GusGus comes Sigur Rós, the latest breakout pop act from Iceland. Released almost a year ago in Europe, these guys have become darlings of the four-eyed corduroy set, and an echo effect seems to be kicking in over here. While not the sonic miracle many make it out to be, Agaetis byrjun (yes, it's all in their native tongue) is a solid effort--luminous, voluminous heavy-weather music in panoramic slow-mo. The easy pitch is "vintage shoegazer band, say Ride or Swervedriver, headlines ye olde renaissance fair," given the push and pull between huge, groaning swells of stress-test guitar distortion and the palatial strings, fruity flutes and elfin vocals. At times off-putting and pretentious while at others gloriously goosebumpy, it's going to be around a while either way, so get used to it. 8.5/10 (Rupert Bottenberg)
What happens when uprooted Ohio musicians wallow too long in darkest Brooklyn? Straight-ahead Midwest pop-rock with a down-trodden, dirty overtone, basically. Matt Berninger's deep, bummed vocals roll along with driving, rhythmic songs, cool and sparse in the quiet bits and heated and twangy elsewhere. The overall feel of the album lies somewhere between acoustic Beck and Guides By Voices with (surprise!) the requisite Velvet Underground feel. As the album unfolds, you suspect that its cover star will end up floating face down in that pool, and you might be right. Yikes. 7/10 (Lorraine Carpenter)
Perry Farrell singing over a jungle break just doesn't work, especially when everyone jumped that wagon five and even 10 years ago. It's a lame effort to get with the game, as on opener "Happy Birthday Jubilee." The thematic title track, on the other hand, meshes well with Farrell's voice and style, kinda sounding like a long-lost song from the Crow soundtrack. The founder of Lollapalooza tries to slither into eletroni-rock, with half-assed results--a hit-and-miss situation as some tracks fly and others are bogged down by pretentious techno breaks that are plastic to Farrell, who works better without the superfluous layerings of ueber-now. Suggestion: stop trying so hard and just flow. 6/10 (Lateef Martin)
Imagine sitting proudly at your desk in the Ninja Tune office, having just been responsible for signing not only Antibalas, but the Poets of Rhythm as well. While Antibalas has been championing the Afrobeat sound from their NYC base, the Poets tackle the dirtier bowels of funk like a bunch of reincarnated black dudes from 1969 New Orleans. Thing is, the second coming is coming out of Germany, where the Poets have been doing what they do for inside of 10 years. Songs like the first single "Guiding Resolution" and the dead-on "Smiling When Your Crying" really allow you to get caught up in the antiquated sound. Top marks, 'cuz they do it right. Now keep 'em coming. 8.5/10 (Scott C)