NEW MUSIC REVIEWS

APRIL CD SPINS

by Staff

AFTER MIDNIGHT BLUES BAND

Love Gamble

(Indie)

I’ve listened to Love Gamble from Kankakee, Illinois’ After Midnight Blues band four or five times, and each time, I’ve continued to be impressed with this sextet’s original blues songwriting and competent playing.

There are many, many local cover bands that do outstanding blues work throughout the local music scene; few have created discs of all-original material like After Midnight Blues.

Mark Simmons plays lead guitar and lends his considerable songwriting talent to nine of Love Gamble’s ten consistent guitar-fueled cuts.

Vocalist Karen Brault alternates between simmer, boogie and saucy on songs like “Blues for You” and “When My Baby Comes Home.” I hope that Love Gamble gets this band some new and welcomed regional attention at festivals throughout the Illiana area.

“When My Baby Comes Home” is my favorite cut off this disc largely for Mark’s expert noodling on lead guitar and the way Stan Allison and Jim Lindner powerfully move this song along on bass and drums.

Expect to hear more about the After Midnight Blues band on the pages and screens of Midwest BEAT.

I’ll be following their ascendant star throughout 2005, and I’d like to share some good news I received from Karen Brault herself: After Midnight Blues will perform at this year’s Chicago Blues Festival on the Best Buy Showcase Stage June 9 from 3:00pm to 4:15pm.

Don’t take my word for it – mark your blues calendar and go see these guys live!

– Eric Steiner

SEVENTH DAY SLUMBERD

Once Upon A Shattered Life

(BEC Records)

Seventh Day Slumber’s sophomore release, Once Upon a Shattered Life, ranks with the likes of such secular acts as Nickelback, Linkin Park, and Creed.

What sets them apart from these contemporaries is that they are a Christian band unafraid to infuse their adoration in song.

Pop-metal at it’s best in the title track, “Shattered Life”, feature a tight arrangement and crisp dynamics. The teen angst crowd will definitely reverberate with this track.

“Caroline,” touted as their radio friendly hit, is the best on the record. Highlighting the infallible mix of acoustic and angry guitars behind beautiful vocals, harmonies and message of love. All of the usual suspects are present to insure success.

“I Believe” comes in second for accessibility. Honest, forthright and passion filled, this tune is on par with a CCM anthem.

“Chris's Letter” does something different and appreciative by setting a fan’s words to music. More on the heavy side, this song cooks with slick production and bite.

The CD finishes with the somber “Oceans From the Rain.” Lead vocals of Joseph Rojas push the edge of perfection with emotion making it a bona fide prayer of thanks. Effectively placed strings and solid harmonies clinch the deal.

While taking on such issues as ego, selfishness, love, addiction and mental health is nothing new, SDS deserve to be at the top of the list by shear honesty alone.

Introspective and relevant, Once Upon a Shattered Life stands out in the crowd.

More info: www.seventhdayslumber.com

– Jon Rice

HAVOCHATE

Cycle Of Pain

(Iindecent Media)

This old school metal, fresh from New York state, is taken to the here and now, not a rehash but a revamp.

You can hear the old school ‘80’s Thrash influences, but they punch it up. I can’t believe this is only the band’s second recording and it’s totally solid! Their first CD on another label, is This Violent Earth.

Ovie Rodriguez, former drummer in Malicious Onslaught and former Testament bassist, Greg Christian are part of the rhythmic assault and that should tell you something.

Vocalist Tim Bouchee, discovered through a want ad at a music store, is by no means just the “singer”. His voice does indeed come across as an instrument. His vocal range is most impressive; from wailing to emotional growls and don’t forget the operatic melodies. His voice is very reminiscent of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson.

Guitarist Freddie Ordine did a fine job engineering and producing this CD.

I can not pick a favorite out of the 11 tracks here, because the album is consistent and all the songs have a life of their own.

It’s a plus when all the lyrics are easy to understand and the band sounds like a cross between Sodom and Maiden.

Having toured with the likes of Motorhead, Overkill, Anthrax, and Manowar, it’s no doubt they have the live chops as well and have won over new fans.

Havochate is the band to keep your eyes on, because they’re going places, mostly up!

– Diane Demeter

THREE DOG NIGHT with the London Symphony Orchestra

35^th Anniversary Hits Collection

(Indie)

Three Dog Night is one of those classic rock bands most fans had probably written off, despite the fact that they land 21 consecutive hits on the national Top 40 charts during their late 1960s-early 1970s heyday.

This 35th Anniversary Hits Collection –– part studio recordings and part live –– is a strong reminder why this group should not be forgotten nor written off.

Most of this 19-track single disc set was recorded at Abbey Road Studio in England with London Symphony Orchestra lending a hand as the band re-recorded and re-created several of their biggest hits.

I know, I know...it usually sucks when an artist re-makes their old songs, but this time it works. The orchestration is never overpowering or overbearing. It is not lush to the point of being saccharine sweet not Vegas-ready pomp.

I especially like their new take on “Mama Told Me Not To Come”, “Liar” and “Easy To Be Hard.”

Of the 15 songs recorded with the LSO, two are brand new ones –– “Sault Ste Marie” and “Overground” –– with Danny Hutton and Corey Wells each taking lead duties, respectively.

“Sault Ste. Marie” is my fave of the two and ranks right up there with the best music this band has ever made.

The concluding four cuts are live tracks recorded with the Tennessee Symphony Orchestra during the time the Dogs were making their PBS television special (forthcoming on a DVD soon).

Overall, this is a very interesting and very strong release from a group most of us grew up listening to on the AM radio.

Worth picking up and checking out, I would bet you will be very pleasantly surprised.

– Tom Lounges

ANI DiFRANCO

Knuckle Down

(Righteous Babe Records)

The enticingly prolific songstress has been churning out her Righteous Babe records year after year, sometimes putting out a double record or two records in the same year.

I hate to say it, but as a fan, I really had lost interest. Nothing she has made in the last few years was as relevant or emotionally dynamic as her best offering, Dilate, although each record that followed had a handful of tracks that stood out.

Everest in particular, was almost a Gospel anthem of classical proportions. By the time Evolve came out, I actually stopped caring.

At last, she has put out her best effort since 1999. Knuckle Down showcases the duality between Ani’s trademark vulnerability meshed with sweltering self-assurance.

DiFranco bites her lips, grinds her teeth, smiles intensely, kicks the dust from underneath her sandals and sheds tears again on this record, due to recent divorce and the unfortunate loss of her father.

From great pain comes great art and it’s good to see Ani back in solid form again even if the coffeehouse production (shared with Joe Henry) is kept minimal and not very experimental.

Still there’s a welcome, subtle use of hushed strings here, beautifully utilized during “Recoil”, which is by far the standout track implementing a charming folk-rock rhythm and the aching responsiveness Ani shows with lyrics like, “I think of my dad who time travels mostly now/Back to when he was free and holding out hope somehow.”

Other tunes, like “Studying Stones” quicksand into her own musical lineage in hopes of reconnecting to profundity with the poetic dissertation of –– “I am out here studying stones trying to learn to be less alive/Using all of my will to keep very still/Still even on the inside.”

For old fans, this CD could be dubbed as a come back, even though she had never really gone away. It is just that it took DiFranco quite some time to hone her strengths and return to form.

I was holding out for a more personal, intimate record like this, and it was worth the wait. I give her credit for branching out in the past, but sometimes reinvention isn’t always the best course of action.

– James E. Laczkowski

MERCY ME

Almost There

(Ino/RpicRecords)

Mercy Me’s Almost There is among he new wave of “dual disc” releases where there is a CD audio side and a DVD video side for the consumer to get thrilled about.

What impresses me most about the CD is how accessible the music is. They are like Jars of Clay with caffeine in their veins.

A worship CD no doubt, yet there is more here than that. The second song, “Here Am I” really reaches out and captures the listener. An everyman tune that explores the courage to speak of spirituality in a sea of hedonism.

“I Can Only Imagine” smacks of being a “radio hit”, as it has strong crossover appeal that could find land it in the country, easy listening, CCM and Top 40 formats. Clear and concise vocals and soothing lift this song to it’s passionate and hopeful apex.

“House of God” is a mover in the ballpark of danceable U2. Powerful and energy packed this song works as it evokes the image of followers dancing in exhalation Hosanna.

On the DVD side, there are music videos and live footage. “On My Way To You” is a well produced live track in that it is clean and does a great job featuring the entire band.

Another reason I like this band is the image of the unlikely “rock star” – Bart Millard – a bald, overweight and goofy looking guy with the voice that can put to shame any rock poser with no effort. His honesty and spirit do well to transcend the unjust judgements.

Mercy Me know what they do well and it shows in their rock solid output.

Almost There as a “dual disc” platform is the perfect conduit to reach their die-hard fans and new audience. More info: www.mercyme.org

– Jon Rice

THE FRAMES

Burn The Maps

(Anti Records)

“When you found something that good/it’s hard to focus on what’s right” –– blares lead singer Glen Hallard on The Frames’ latest, greatest record, Burn the Maps.

It’s as if he’s cautioning folks who lose themselves in moments of blissful ignorance, which can be just as hazardous as being immersed inside a state of prolonged melancholy. Both can offer rewards with pleasurable or even painful results, so you have to be prepared to bleed.

The Frames can abridge an entire lifespan of hurt and peaceful longing into a mere three minutes and they’ve done so for a number of years now.

The second track, “Finally,” could be the best track they’ve ever laid down, as it encapsulates the dichotomy of emotional complexity while heatedly radiating humanity in a way that is hair-raising beautiful.

The Frames are a band chock-full of nervous, overactive hesitation (“Sideways Down”) pooled with muted delivery and ear-piercing flare-ups while assertively confronting trials and tribulations.

They’ve had a rough past, but still manage to imprint a sense of hope for the future as a song like “Dream Awake” demonstrates. They may have gotten lost inside themselves, but there’s clearly a way out and there’s “a point in all your dreaming.”

There are searing ballads and rock epics that are bruising and transcendent, as if the string quartet for Radiohead joined forces with the distorted assault of The Afghan Whigs.

Burn the Maps is the one to beat for 2005, for it impeccably encapsulates the intensity and unflinching passion that comes with constructing a simple, yet vibrantly dynamic rock record that will reverberate inside anyone’s heart.

Although their records in the past have been strong efforts, it’s good to hear the band focusing on what’s right.

– James E. Laczkowski

THE COMAS

Conductor

(Yep Roc Records)

The North Carolina music scene has been erupting for several years and has shown its strength by consistently producing great bands that receive national attention.

The Comas, who hail from Carrboro, NC, are a perfect example of this.

Conductor is their latest release, and this body of work proves they have what it takes to make it on the national level.

With their left foot planted firmly within the underground, they are taking one major step forward with their right foot into the spotlight.

Slowly, The Comas are getting the recognition they deserve with both Spin Magazine and Rolling Stone Magazine adding Conductor to their list

of “The Best Records You Didn't Hear in 2004”.

It’s easy to see why this band is receiving the acclaim it is. With the release of Conductor, The Comas put together an intelligently orchestrated collection of eclectic pop songs with an edge to them.

Starting with the opening track, “The Science of Your Mind”, you immediately get a sense of The Comas musicianship as well as the soft monotone vocals that seem to float seamlessly through the mix and grab your attention.

My favorite track on this CD would have to be “Invisible Drugs” with its fuzz box guitar riffs, power pop drum beats and driving tempo. I also appreciate the lyrics and the cleverness of “Employment”, which is just a song about the daily grind of working that boring day job.

It’s very evident, as you listen to each track on this CD, that The Comas know how to blend and compliment each other and each instrument in order to elevate it to its true effectiveness, only to enhance the song allowing each part to glide along its chosen path creating one brilliant work of art, which is Conductor.

Keep your eyes open for this vibrant and talented young band. If you like fresh sounds and new grooves, than you owe it to yourself the pleasure of listening to this album. I totally stamp my approval on this band and this CD. For more info go to: www.thecomas.com

– Mr. Sid

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM

LCD Soundsystem

(Capitol Records)

Anyone making dance music should work with the mind behind LCD, just like anyone looking to make a solid hip-hop record should be working with Kanye West.

“You've got to set them up!” raves James Murphy, the powerhouse DJ behind the Brooklyn-based DFA label.

Murphy knows how to skillfully construct a dance track with surgical precision doused with Korg Moog keyboards and repetitive, butt-grinding beats. You’ll know by the first track whether you’re in or out when it comes to this worthy foray into an overlooked genre.

The proceedings are reliably fun with tips of the hat to everything from glam-punk veterans The Fall (there’s a cool little reference during “Movement”), to the likes of New Order and Pink Floyd.

“Daft Punk Is Playing At My House” could not be more worthy of party mix CDs for years to come, exemplifying the kind of record that any number of songs off of Beck’s Midnite Vultures tried to be.

“Disco Infiltrator” oscillates with an infectious beat, Prince harmonies and hollers with madcap mania. And if you’ve got a fever, he offers a more-than-welcome cow bell remedy.

There’s even a comedown song, the closer “The Great Release,” which is reminiscent of classic Brian Eno and Underworld. Throw this on your IPOD and listen to it in between club-hopping and getting drunk at your friends’ loft on a Saturday night in the city.