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NEW MUSIC REVIEWS |
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CD SPINS by Staff
AUDIOSLAVE (Epic/Interscope Records) When I heard (what
seems years ago) that Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) was going to replace
Zack de la Rocha (singer/rapper) in Rage Against the Machine), I thought
that was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard.
Cornell rapping out de
la Rocha’s political diatribe would simply make him a charlatan.
No one could replace de la Rocha, what were they thinking.
Well, I am happy to
see they weren’t that dumb. Instead,
they formed a new band and called it Audioslave merging two synergistic
musical styles that were made for each other.
“What You Are” slows it down a bit with a quite and
retrospective beginning that rips into a caustic and battering chorus.
“Set It Off” again
smacks of the riff-meister Morello’s guitar work.
The contagious chorus bleeds into a stompin bridge and soulful
vocal break. “Shadow
on the Sun” shows off Cornell’s bluesy and wide vocal range.
Pleasant verses explode into screaming choruses.
Excellent dynamics on this one.
“Getaway Car” is my favorite tune with clean and to the point guitarwork and
again Cornell’s signature voice on what is best termed
an R&B infused tune. Awesome
guitar solo to boot! Producer extraordinary Rick Rubin (this
guy is hit or miss with me) understands this band’s power and soul and
does well to capture it here. With my fears put to
rest with the collaboration, Audioslave simple must stay together, as
this stellar debut only promises that the best is still ahead as they
gel and mature as a unit. More info: www.audioslave.com
–
Jon Rice THE RERUN SHOW Kill Your Television (Victory
Records) If you liked the
Muppet Show or Weezer’s video featuring it, you will enjoy The Rerun
Show. There’s even a bit
of a dark side (mentions of drug use and underage lovers) to make things
even more interesting. The songs have a
catchy pop sound, none lack for lyrical content, production is great,
but some are more musically developed than others. A few songs are so
energy filled that you probably won’t be able to stay in your seat
listening to them. Yet, despite all
of this... it sounds as though the band are growing from one phase
(superfluous punk chords) to another (clean thoughtful solos, and
crafted arrangements) and got a record deal in the midst of their
artistic puberty. Even so, they are
doing quite well promoting this debut CD for the Chicago-based Victory
Records, playing several sold out shows and opening for Taking Back
Sunday. This band is still
finding its confidence (mixing some vocals and all 3 solos low) but at
least it is looking. Regardless, this
release is one of the better works from a newbie band out right now.
Hopefully they won’t get lost in this exciting beginning, and stop
growing, because from this display they will be even more enjoyable
later. – Phylana Blackman EMITTER Melody(Independent)
Their eponymous debut
back in 2001 blew me away and I have been waiting for more ever since. Well, the band is back
and they are fortified with vitamins and iron, having added a permanent
drummer and keyboard player -- Chris Hagen and Steve Gouwens –
respectively. Emitter have been busy
making their own buzz. Much less processed than their first CD, Melody
offers new and solid tunes that really get into your noggin. The lead track “Hard
and Fast,” opens with sustained vocal acrobatics from singer Jason
James and the marriage of acoustic and distorted guitar.
A song about letting
the inevitable happen when smitten.
“Come Back Down” is
a powerful track that is in the vein of Jars of Clay -- spiritual
without being preachy, great backing harmonies, wall o’ guitar backing
and an emotionally filled breaks.
“Losing Streak” is a rocker that
sports “AM radio” vocals in a “plea for help” tune that is
honest in it’s approach and musicality.
The track leads out with a soulful James belting out his
petition. “Hey
Queen” leaves the listener with more of the same pop genius.
A tasty break with a Hammond organ climax makes this
a true standout on the disc.. I wrote it in 2001 and I will write it
again -- Emitter delivers the goods! Remarkable regional
music from a remarkably talented band. I promise that you will be
hearing lots more from in the very near future: www.emitteronline.com.
–
Jon Rice CRADLE
OF FILTH Live Bait For The Dead(Snapper Music) Bless those damnable
record contract commitments that result in releases such as these.
Two discs simply filled to capacity with the live and rare of COF
and most from the period just before they embark on their major label
debut. Brilliantly selected,
arranged and packaged Live
Bait... is a COF fan’s bloody wet dream.
Here, beyond the live
moments of disc one, you will find a full disc of rare demos, remixes,
deleted scenes from promotional videos and movies featuring the band and
even a video! If that isn’t enough
death and destruction for you, there is a screen saver included that
would be just perfect for the folks at the office to see whilst you run
to the bathroom. Since its recording, the band has again
evolved so the live performances are now as rare as chicken teeth.
With the expected taming of the shrewd, for a proper major label
effort, this may be the last time for some time to get it this heavy and
this hardcore from COF.
– David Lee Wilson SPEEDEALER Second Sight(Palm) Speedealer (once
called REO Speedealer) has been kicking up dirt for quite some time, and
now that they have found a studio friend in (ex-Metallica bassist)
producer Jason Newsted, they may just find a bit of commercial success. Second Sight goes beyond the last
half decade’s worth of sludge-core to find some of the brighter sonic
spots of retro. The title
track is a gas chugging, oil burning Chevy that is ready to run you off
the road should you get in its way. I just can’t wait for the chance
to use the bass rumble at the next stoplight full of 808 sportin’
suburban rap-music lovers. “All
The Thing You’ll Never Need” is as hardcore as anything by the
Cro-Mags but retains its metal edge.
“The Thin Air” has
a touch of Monster Magnet consciousness of thought going for it, while “Infinitesimal” sparks and burns on for better than six minutes
with incomparable tweaking and jamming. For those who
still hold out hope that in the vast wasteland of popular music hard
rock may return to commercial significance, here are your new heroes. – David Lee Wilson TORI AMOS Scarlet’s Walk(Epic Records)
I must admit I
was intrigued by Amos’ latest effort – Scarlet’s Walk – a
travelogue in song with some reactions to 9/11.
I am a fan of the “left of center” Amos (Little
Earthquakes) with her quirky arrangements, odd instrumentation,
etc. Unfortunately, this CD puts her into the
land of boring normal. Nothing
new under the sun here. She seems to be trying to be a part of the
Jewel, Fiona Apple, and Sarah McLachlan crowd with this one. The CD has a sameness
that wears itself thin (especially after 18 tracks – trust me,
you’ll never make it past 12). This
is the limited edition, with a nice package and DVD of the videos and
snapshots from her cross country trip – neat little novelties that
only a true-blooded fan would appreciate. The CD kicks off with “Amber
Waves” –– a cute little tale about a reformed porn star.
Here a full band augments Amos’ signature piano playing.
“Wampum Prayer” is
a short but sweet acapella verse, keenly capturing Amos’ prominent
voice. “Pancake”
gets as close to the Amos I admire.
A tremolo-ing Fender Rhodes piano and fantastic guitar work
dominate the track. Here
Amos takes her voice into a spacey, echoing place that serves the song
well. “Virginia” is unique and interesting in that it
adds some country flavor to the mix with adept banjo playing, yet the
song meanders into the before mentioned sameness that plagues the CD. The CD is full
of intelligent and thoughtful lyrics and the concept is truly fresh, but
the music gets in the way of the concept.
Although a talented musician, Amos has had in the past offered us
inspirational musical innovations that were honest and visceral in their
approach. Scarlet’s Walk is a
snoozer to say the least.
More info at: www.toriamos.com.
–
Jon Rice EARL SLICK BAND Slick Trax(Metal Blade) First choice guitarist
on everyone’s list from David Bowie to Mick Jagger and John Lennon
–– Earl Slick –– has crafted more hits for other artists than
most of them have for themselves. Here he looked back
and gathered up fifteen choice tracks from his own band, gave then a
glossing over by
remastering the original tapes and the result is nothing less than some
of the most jaw dropping playing you will ever hear. Heavily blues based,
each of these tracks manages to find the sweetest spot in your ear to
rest. Be it the heartbroken
rock balladry of “Burnt Love”
or the guitar clinic put to song,
“The way Down,” –– Slick Trax never falls or fails in its
mission to please. “Do It” in either its original demo version or
in its finished album version, deserves a place along side any rock
‘n’ roll standard you care to name. The band assembled for
the disc – Jimmie Mack (vox), Gene Leppik (bass), Bryan Madrey (drums)
and of course, Mr. Slick – play as if they were born of the same
whiskey soaked womb. Together,
this talented group emit some of the most honest blues/rock sounds that
have yet made it to record. Slick is
currently on tour with Bowie, but one can only hope that soon he will
find the time to compile another disc such as this, or better yet to put
the band together again for some live dates! – David Lee Wilson QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE Songs For The Deaf(Interscope) Despite the quirky
fact of singer/guitar player Josh Homme’s uncanny resemblance to “The
Late Late Show” host, Craig Kilborn
–– Queens of the Stone Age are not your typical heavy rock
act. Mostly
a two piece made up of Homme (formerly of Kyuss) and singer bassist Nick
Oliveri – they manage to weave leaden ‘70s riffs with complex chords
and arrangements. Did I mention that
Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) is in as their drummer and it is his
presence that makes their sound tight and precise. Grohl is an excellent
choice to augment QOTSA. In
the vain of Monster Magnet and Masters of Reality, they step out in
front of the stoner rock pack with their latest effort –– Songs
for the Deaf. The CD is tied
together with odd little vignettes about searching the radio for QOTSA
songs while coming up with some of the funniest rips on the radio
industry in general. “You
Think I Ain’t Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire,”
is a contagious little number that will soon have you thinking of
Deep Purple’s “Space-Truckin’.”
“Know
One Knows” is a riff-packed number with a lulling vocals,
bombastic breaks and dynamics, all pulled together with a meticulous and
drum arrangement from Grohl.
“Song
for the Dead” begins with a
fantastic Grohl intro, then tumbles into breakneck speed, before ending
with Cream-like atonal vocal choruses. “Do It
Again” has a great fun Garry Glitter “Rock
Roll: Part Two” vibe to it. The CD finishes out
with a hidden track – “Mosquito
Song” – an appropriate ending with a somber twelve string and
simple vocals, supported with mournful accordion, piano and strings. Odd but effective. QOTSA bring a
freshness to the musical blight that seems to get worse every day.
Gotta love this band. More info: www.QOTSA.com – Jon Rice |
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Audioslave’s
video hit “Cochise,” sets
up the CD with it’s power base.
Emitter
is a local band who is easily as good and as talented as any new
national pop act on the radio. 