SHORT REVIEWS
FOR MARCH 2007
CANDYLAND RIOTS- ORANGE SASH AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE GALAXY- AERIA- This is mostly the work of a guy named Jordan Lee, who moved to L.A. from his native Ohio, (where he played with members of Times New Viking (Siltbreeze Records). This is a concept record about….well, about somethin’ ! Tweaked, lo-fi pop …..it’s quite a trip. ( www.aeriaentertainment.com )
NEIL COTTERIL- MOONSHOT- BEECHFIELDS- My dad told me to never trust anyone named Neil but I trust this guy, how could you not ? His easy going , mostly acoustic songs are pleasant and inviting. I trust this Neil. ( www.thebeechfields.com )
THE GULF- CHINATOWN- SELF-RELEASED- Beantown bunch who definitely are not playing the clubs over in Roxbury or Southie. The two leaders Adam Brock and Adam Garland are both quite talented and this spacey/trippy pop will appeal to fans of both Pink Floyd and The Flaming Lips. ( www.thegulfmusic.com )
KELLY SHAY HICKS- BUCKED- CARBON- Lo-fi folk from talented Nashville gal , only 3 songs here but each one sounds like it has the wind blowing by her side. Either this was recorded outside (doubtful) or they are making some pretty trick things in recording studios these days! ( www.kellyshayhicks.com )
HJ- S/T- HJ TONES- Dutch dude who claims to be influenced by Dick Dale and Frank Zappa , most of these 14 songs are jittery little instrumentals with surf leads and I could deal with it if only HJ didn’t sing (or got someone else to). No vocals= fun ! ( www.hj-tones.com )
HOTPIPES- S/T- SELF-RELEASED- Living in Tennessee must do strange things to people. This 5-piece talk about acid reflux in their press release then go on and create a “rock” record. The 2nd song has the word “fuck” in it (just in case your mom is listening). ( www.hotpipesmusic.com )
HOT ROD CIRCUIT- THE UNDERGROUND IS A DYING BREED- IMMORTAL- Big sounding rawk from a band that i guess used to be on Vagrant Records. You’ve heard this kinda stuff before, not bad but not terribly original either. I don’t know much about the Foo Fighters but they reminded me a bit of them. ( www.immortalrecords.com )
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN- REAL LIFE- CHEAP LULLABY- Always glad to see a Joan Wasser record in my house (Joan has played violin with everyone and used to be in The Dambuilders). And any record that pays tribute to the old Angie Dickinson tv series is more than ok in my book.
LADYSTEIN- PRESENTS ALBUMSTEIN- CAT FIGHT- Two art students from NYU’s Tisch (who actually know Corey Feldman ) and two others friends on drumsand bass, create some cool, lo-fi pop and I don’t know if they’re playing the NYC Popfest this year but if not they should be. ( www.ladystein.com )
THE LIFE AND TIMES- THE MAGICIAN ep- STIFF SLACK- Ex-Shiner guy Allen Epley is still lat it, creating the kind of shoe-gaze rock that was all the rage a decade (or more ) ago …can’t blame the guy for trying. ( www.thelifeandtimes.com )
LILLYDALE- THE ACE OF BECOMING ONES OWN SHADOW- MT FUJI- Seattle bunch who aim for something akin to the Red House Painters on the first (ambitious)and move on from there. Not quite sure where they always wanna go but they’re on their way. Apparently live they kill it (like Kenny Banya “Kill Jerry…kill !”). ( www.mtfujirecords.com )
THE MARIETTAS- 12- FIRST COLD PRESS- Now this is more like it ! While I wasn’t into Sean O’Brien’s recent solo record I really did like this, his old band from 1999 ( w/ Manfred Hofer from the early Leaving Trains). Plump power-pop tunes with big hooks (and an occasional foray into western music). Wonder if these guys are still around ? ( www.themariettas.com )
MAS RAPIDO !- PITY PARTY- PARASOL- I tried to enjoy their music when they held the (horrible) moniker of Cowboy & Spingirl and tried to like it again when they were Toothpaste 2000 . And now, with yet another name. Frank & Donna (with Tom on drums) are still at it and it’s still not my cuppa tea. ( www.parasol.com )
MINDY MISTY- PROTOPLASMA- HANDMADE- They hail from Oslo (that’s in Norway, kids) and got famed pot smoker Kramer to mix n’ master it. All over the map but I hear bits o’ Pavement, Afghan Whigs, The Pixies and the like. Thusbunch are not afraid to take chances. ( www.handmaderecords.net )
OBLIO- CREATE THE NIGHT PT. 1- CASINO- Ragged pop from 4 guys who’s who’ve got more hair than 4 Bette Midlers and more hooks than your grandpa’s tackle box (hardhy har har). A bit too Coldplay-ish on “Times Square’ but otherwise I’ll bet they’re huge one day. (www.sonicbids.com/oblio)
OF GOD AND SCIENCE- S/T- DETACH- Albuquerque, NM bunch who you’d swear were from that little island to the east of us (well, depends on which way you go) where they eat Bangers n’ mash and seem to produce lots of good music. It sways, it chimes, and occasionally breaks right out. Nice stuff. ( www.detachrecords.com )
ORIGAMI GHOSTS- SOLVING MY OWN PUZZLES…-HAND TO MOUTH- Trippy/folky stuff from Seattle-ite John Paul Scesniak (and what is it with people using their middle name these days ??!! Who do the think they are, serial killers ?) . On that alone I wanted to hate this but I can’t cos’ the songwriting is good and I like JP’s voice. You’re lucky JP, a bad review in DAGGER can sink your career ! ( www.origamighosts.com )
OUR LUNAR ACTIVITIES- IT COMES IN WAVES-NEON TETRA- They’ve got the lookdown: dark suits (ala Nick Caves), long-ish mopey hair in their eyes, not smile to be found anywhere. Music’s about the same. ( www.neontetrarecords.co.uk )
BOB PARINS AND TRUE LOVE ALWAYS- THE KISSING ROCKS- SELF-RELEASED- Nice experimental pop stuff from BKNY dude Bob and his band TLA (don’t think it’s the same as the Teenbeat Records band ). On the prettier moments it reminded me a bit of PET SOUNDS and I only don’t like it when Bob sings on the more “rock” songs (his voice can be a bit obnoxious), otherwise, this is unique. ( www.bobparins.com )
PAULSON- ALL AT ONCE- DOGHOUSE- Joisey bunch who have that sound , ya’ know, kinda like Weezer (who they remind me of ) but the singer’s name is Logan LaFlotte and I don’t think it’s too cool when people use fake names on records. So stop it “Logan” !! ( www.doghouserecords.com )
POLA- S/T- IONIK- Tazio Iacobacci hails from Catania, Italy and has heard some of Bobby Wratten’s music in his life (Field Mice, Trembling Blue Stars, etc.) and probably some Postal Service too. But as icy and dicey as some of this music can be thankfully Iacobacci has not forgotten how to write a song. 7 songs in under 30 minutes….a perfect dose. ( www.ionikrecords.com )
POLYDREAM- A RIGID SHARD OF BALANCE- TIN WHISPER- A bit Brit pop at times, shoegazey at others and even some Depeche Mode nu-wave but it all seems too forced. Plus , it’s self-released and they out the FBI Anti-Piracy warning symbol on the back. Dicks.
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