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Reviews
Dr JAN (GURU)
On the whole this album appears to be one where the light, easy
listening aspect is predominant. As sometimes is the case, there
is much more than is readily apparent. His voice sounds a little
like Bryan Ferry set to a mixed up world of 70'8 rock and 80'8 electronica.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the title track sounds
a little dated, but you cannot help yourself from being dragged
in (probably against your will) and you actually start to like the
track. incidentally the guitarist is none
other than Bill Nelson.
The second instalment has a vague drum 'n bass feel with his very
light voice providing the counterpoint. The songs become more contemporary
as time elapses until the fifth track Sensitive is reached.
Here the reggae feel is surrounded with syrupy strings and a strong
bass line that mutates into a sort of drum 'n bass dub during the
middle eight before returning to the original theme.
On Caroline Summer, his prophetic words are delivered in a style
similar to David Sylvan who makes this sound almost like the work
of Japan. The best extract is the instrumental Sarajevo where the
music is allowed to speak for itself and the bass line is just brilliantly
incorporated into a mesmerising soundscapce. A modem dance beat
and catchy singing is to be found on Desire Machine. This CD is
a lot better than the cover artwork would imply. (Brooky)
Reviewed in issue 37 [Spring 02] of MODERN DANCE, 12 Blakestone
Road, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, HD7 5UQ.
Zabadak
OUT OF ORDER
A collection of 20 fresh new Indie rock and alternative bands,
is what the sleeve says. Thoughts of tuneless guitar thrashing come
to mind; a wall of thunder with a throaty vocal buried in there
somewhere. Such was my prejudice against Indie. Happily, the tracks
on this CD aren't like that at all. Whether Indie fans who liked
the bone-crunching sound of old will like this I couldn't say. But
with 20 bands to choose from,there's something for everybody.
BLAZE 'Jeanie' -This starts out with some crunchy guitar
that
reminded me of T.Rex, but develops into the sort of power pop bands
like The Records managed at the end of the 70s. A catchy chorus,
neat guitar solo, clever word play, and the CD's off to a good start.
(8)
OSMOSIS 'Education' -Osmosis are unashamed punk revivalists,
and provide the required noisy bash here. Closer to The Vibrators
than
The Clash, though; not really beefy enough. If you're going to revive
punk there's got to be more Attitude. It has a homespun feel, which
was what punk was all about. (7)
DR JAN (GURU) 'Alienshamanism' -This starts as a fairly dismal
dance track that sounds like it was put together in the kitchen
with
whatever came to hand. Then an unexpectedly mellow voice comes in
that seems to have escaped from New Romantics ABC. That might be
the answer -ditch the pots and pans and climb aboard the 80s revival
train that can't be far away. (6)
WOLVENTRIX 'How Refreshing' -This has an unusual vocal and
some interesting lyrics, but the backing is rather tame, almost
a
throwback to Merseybeat. A bit of an oddball pop piece. (7)
THE TRIMATICS 'Simple Morning' -Jangly guitar pop from a
group
apparently doing well in Sweden! Touches of the La's, which can't
be
bad. My critical head thinks this really isn't distinctive enough,
but I'm a sucker for this kind of guitar sound. (8)
THE EXPRESSIONS 'Why Can't Everything Just Go The Way I
Planned?' -Very mellow and smooth, quite slick and professionally
arranged, in fact. A little too sweet and teen oriented for me,
though. (7)
RED ASH & THE LOVE COMMANDOS 'Get Off My Car' -English
rap
in Ian Dury style. Nicely done, though anyone who said 'get off
my car' as politely as this in some quarters would come to a sticky
end. (6)
PLASTIK 'The White Room' -Ideas abound in lots of quirky
bits and
pieces on this. Driving drums, a distinctive vocal, some 60s 'sha
la la
las' and a brief but enjoyable guitar solo tucked away in the middle.
Clever. (8)
DAN T's INFERNO 'Wirewalker. -A spoken piece against a pretty
repetitive and uninspiring backing. Shades of The Fall's Mark E
Smith
rather than the average rapper. A confident voice, too, but there's
not
enough going on musically to bear too many listens. (6)
CONSPIRACY .Fast Train' -A hesitant opening, but this soon
gets
going. The band's description of 'ethnic percussion sound and
contemporary keyboards and guitars' is spot on. A rather 70s rock
guitar coupled with a New Orderish vocal might sound a strange
combination, but it works. The guitar sound rather reminded me of
BJH's John Lees in fact, which is even odder. The chorus doesn't
quite fit, as it disrupts the flow of the song, and the overall
sound is a bit flat, but very interesting all the same. (8)
ASCENSION 'Word On The Street' -That rarity in rock -the
Christian
rock band. This moves along nicely, despite a dubious trumpet sound,
and the song, which examines attitudes to Christianity, is also
interesting. (7)
SANDY SHORES 'Last Night' -A Parisian band with an English
singer
(and one that reminds me of Morrisseyl) is certainly a curious
combination; but this is really rather too slow and drawn out. A
pleasant enough ballad, but a little too treacly for me. (6)
RISER 'Spitting Teeth. -This is a happy, bouncy pop track
enlivened
by some heavier, crunching guitar. Nothing innovative, but most
enjoyable. (7)
HERROD 'Sat Down Beside Her. -This is almost two tracks stuck
together, a slow, atmospheric piece with some melodic guitar, and
a
faster, driving piece of Indie. The two styles switch back and forth,
and though you can't exactly see the joins, it's an odd mix. (6)
THE SHOPLIFTINGANGELS 'What Hides Inside' -This seems to
be
influenced by the US underground pop bands like Fountains of Wayne
and many many others: lively, bright and breezy pop with plenty
of
hooks. This one's got a particularly catchy chorus. Nice! (8)
ROUNDWOUND .Wrong Again. -A band whose ambitions rather
outstrip the enjoyable but rather lightweight piece of pop offered
here. A few flourishes do catch the ear, especially the intro, but
it didn't really grab me. (6) (ZAB: Hey this is tab!)
DEANSGATE 'On My Knees' -I couldn't get excited about this
either,
though it's got a strong vocal and a good tune. Enjoyable listening,
then, pleasant, inoffensive, but rather dull. (6)
THE VISITORS 'Down To The Sea' -This opens in unremarkable
fashion too, and then the voice comes in, and the song takes a clever
turn, flowing round and round, swaying on and on, like the water
in the curious lyric. There's an equally fluid instrumental break,
and by the end the effect is quite captivating, the dull opening
forgotten. Don't open too many songs like this, though! (8)
SHIVER SLINKY .Shibboleth. -This is a bit of a trippy piece,
with
shades of late 60s US West Coast psych in there, and elements of
the
UK underground festival scene. A bit of a 'head' band, then, complete
with the required guitar sound. Rather ramshackle in places at the
moment, but that adds to the charm, and they could develop into
something very interesting indeed. (8)
PARKSTONE DUB FOUNDATION 'Alcohol' -Synth sounds that
burble, squeal and swish, a vaguely reggae beat, distorted vocals,
and someone saying 'gimme the beat' -this just doesn't know what
it wants to be. Actually it does -the band want to 'make music for
people who hate music...' I rather like it myself. Music, that is.
(6)
Overall, this really has something for everyone -even those who
hate
music! Can't be bad. 71/2 Steve Douglas
Reviewed in Zabadak, October 2001, Zabadak c/o Ron Cooper, Domaine
Des Palmiers, 124 Av Maurice Chaevalier, Apt 103 Bat B3 06150 Cannes
La Bocca France
Zabadak
OFF THE HOOK
Yet another indie compilation from 25 Records -'Off The Hook'
features nineteen different bands: Have a soft spot for these
compilations -there's a spirit which runs through each -the covers
-the
titles (all beginning with O and three words). Will this be up to
the levelof those prior three which we've reviewed.
OSMOSIS 'Luv Buzz' -off to a spunky start -fine balance between
the
fuzzed guitars and the female singer's wilful plea.(8)
BLAZE 'Step In' -continues the fuzz buzz -slightly more melodic
&
almost a folk vocal from this female.(8)
X-HAIL 'Hang On To Your Happiness' -slightly grittier -from
Oxford,
they sound like Level 42 backing Kylie Minogue -a slightly folkish
female vocal over the guitar picking. (8)
COR-CRANE 'Uam Is Cool' -in fact with a spunk fuzz buzz &
female
anguished vocal it could well be the same band as the previous four.
Good for this compilation but perhaps some off the wall ideas are
called for -sounds like they're singing "Ringo is cool".
Likeable in any case. (8)
THE GLADYS '89/99' -from a singer who seems to have been
lonely
for 10 years -some original ideas here. Humour & irony in a
blazing
guitar setting. Halfway through, the loping beat with echoed guitar
speeds up into a bit of a thrash. Then it slows down again. "As
/ see we have no choice".(8)
SHIVER SLINKY 'Sourdine' -quite a change -atmospheric &
slow with
a slight ambient approach.(8)
RED ASH & THE LOVE COMMANDOS 'Nothing' -wah wah guitar.
Red Ash certainly sounds posh. He obviously can't sing but he adds
some spice as he sends up the whole music scene.(7)
OLl-POP 'Don't You Just Love It?' -reminds of Liberty 37
-heavy
guitar & stop start drums -doom laden. (7)
BLUSTER 'Core' -perhaps the same band as the last one under
a
different name?!? A slow turgid doom laden riff.(6)
THE CHIMES 'Shake The Shelter' -jingle jangle freshness after
the
previous onslaught -Oasis probably are popular on their turntable.
Even an orchestral bit, plus yes, there's plenty of chiming guitar
-the
vocal is shaky but all in all this is quite good -swaying jangly
rhythm
captivates "I'm the halfway house down the street".(9)
INTERSTATE 'Throw It Away' -synth opening before guitar &
drums
kick in -then an organ takes over -now its speed with a breathless
vocal -light & melodic -a groovy guitar break. Reminds of The
Levellers 'Hope Street' -well they do use the word "street".
Like it. (81/2)
ASCENSION 'Everything In Nature Cries' -a Christian band
from
Ireland. Nice to hear a few acoustic guitars The song is lighter
than
most that precede it -though it's just a little ordinary. (7)
TANTRUM 'The Girl With Two Faces' -a snarling amateurish
but
likeable vocal on a mixture of Brit Pop and early 705 Prog -the
thudding drums & the guitars -it may be this bands 5 seconds
of fame, but have affection for this. "How could you do this
to me". (9)
ROUNDWOOD 'Dirty 0l' Money' -such a good beat -best track
here -
this is brilliant -slow motion guitar pyrotechnics. "Football
shirts are £45 proudly worn by the kids around town"
and "The emperors clothes with a label on the arse". (91/2)
DALLAS PRISON 'It's OK' -an up-tempo blast with a pop hook,
and
it's all over inside two minutes -sharp vocals & guitar. Colossal!
(8)
CALMER 'Always' -borne aloft on an ethereal, shimmering magic
carpet of jangly guitars. Classic pop, with no tricksy tempo changes,
meaningful lyrics or sullen vocals to spoil the dish -a pleasure
drone
from start to finish. (8)
MALDUNE 'Under The Sea' -a reasonable track, with a 'Dear
Prudence' style guitar hook, and a vocalist who sounds like Shed
Seven's Rick Witter -and the similarly named 'Ocean Pie'. (7)
DR JAN (GURU) 'Stream Of Consciousness' -plodding drum &
bass
& swooning electronica -a serious singer who sounds like a refugee
from a New Romantic group. There's the obligatory Eastern feel,
mixedwith some Chris Isaak style guitar. Excitement is minimal.
Not being averse to a cheap pun, I'd re-title this one 'Stream Of
Un-
Consciousness'. "You know that I tried". (7)
PARKSTONE DUB FOUNDATION 'Woman's Rights' -this might be
politically correct, but it's frankly pretty unlistenable. The history
of
Suffrage set to a dance beat and then prodded and stabbed until
all of the air has leaked out.(6)
All told there's only a couple of stiffs -and so it's really all
right.(R.C.
with some help from M.C.)
Reviewed in Zabadak, October 2001, Zabadak c/o Ron Cooper, Domaine
Des Palmiers, 124 Av Maurice Chaevalier, Apt 103 Bat B3 06150 Cannes
La Bocca France
Dirt Culture
[Like a bad case of the reviews]
Out of Order
74 minutes of waste. 74 minutes of third rate rock, punk, house
and alternatative. 74 minutes of lies, seeing how the following
statememt is printed on the inside cover; "each and every band
on this disc could be tomorrow's number one" I don't freakin'
think so champ. Even the songs that start off OK get terrible shortly
after. The songs on here are so bad, instead of laughing I just
got mad. This comp presents 20 bands that you will never hear anything
about, so quit reading this and don't worry about it anymore. Inferior
is not the word.
Reviewed by The Irish in Dirt Culture, P.O. Box 4513, Las Cruces,
NM 88003, USA
DR JAN (GURU) - ALIENSHAMANISM
Not too sure on the history behind this act, but the music here
is a superb blend of both electronic dance & a sort of folk-ish
feel to the songwriting. Really grabbing my interest was the liner
note about the Australian embassy having canceled his visa &
that some of the songs on the album relate to that experience.
Bearing a truly astonishing vocal resemblance to U2's Bono on the
opening title track, we begin a fascinating journey through a number
of dance styles, but tracks like "Sensitive", the darker
edges of "Sarajevo" & the jungly beats of both "Desire
Machine" & "Stream Of Consciousness" are definite
picks, as is the closing version of the title track, which stretches
things out & slows the pace somewhat.
A definite case for visa cancellations if this is the result, quite
outstanding.
Bye for now, Terry Allen
hEARd, Australia.
Top
A Handy Guide To Review-Speak
They Say : They Mean
Glam-Rock The singer sounds a bit camp.
Influenced by The Velvet Underground Someone plays
the violin very badly on one song.
Folk-Rock Is that an acoustic guitar? Atonal
Noiseniks Can't play for toffee
Byrdsian I'm sure I heard a 12-string... Lennonesque
Singer sings down nose and wears NHS glasses
Punky Singer sounds like Norman Wisdom, The song
sounds like a race between the guitarist & the drummer and the
bass player only plays one note.
Stop/start Dynamics Guitarist keeps dropping plectrum
Prog-rock tendencies Too long and boring....
Reminiscent of .... As bad as.....
A cult item They'll sell about three copies
Takes No Prisoners Unlistenable Racket
Beatlesque sad Beatle wannabe/copyists
Dylanesque Gibberish lyrics sung flat.
Dynamic song set Played several fast songs and
then a slow one
Mellow Obviously out of their heads on downers
Energetic Up to the eyeballs on amphetamines
Pleasantly poppy bland middle-of-road old tosh
Laid-back vibe They smoke too much weed for their
own good
Psychedelic Played same note for three hours, But
we couldn't get a clear shot at them
because of all the film-loops of lavalamps
Loungecore Vibe They sound like a middle-aged German Bandleader
murdering TV theme tunes
Cheesy There's a Hammond organ in there somewhere.
In with a bullet The persons responsible should
be shot.
Occasional Beatlesque quirk There's a minor chord
in one of their songs.
Cheesy 70's vibe The guitarist's
got a wah-wah pedal, and he's not afraid to use it.
Sounds very Smiths The guitarist plays far too
many notes The singer can only sing two notes and it's far too depressing.
New jokes.
Jon starts working in a lumber camp. The boss says,
"We work twelve hours a day, we eat two meals a day, lights
out
at ten-thirty, and you can put your dick in the barrel over there
for a blow job any day but Thursday."
Jon says, "Why not Thursday?"
The boss says, "Because Thursday is your turn in the barrel."
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