"Compilation Reviews"
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by Dan MacIntosh...
Seattle Women • We Are Not Good Girls
Joerecords.com
>From the looks of the CD cover, these are six big women, with six extra-large
cases of the blues. Apparently, there is more left in the Seattle music
scene than just classic rock grunge bands. The song selection for this
disc reflects the evolving definition of blues music, which includes equal
parts traditional blues and old school soul music. L.J Porter, for example,
takes on the straight blues of "Sweet Hoe Chicago" and then slides naturally
into the soul chestnut "Respect Yourself."
Country Cares For Kids II
BNA Records
Buying this benefit album is equivalent to taking a brief survey of the
country charts over the past little while. These songs really don’t have
much to do with children’s hospitals, or even health-related issues for
that matter. But if it helps kids, who really cares. Best cuts include
Amy Grant’s "Somewhere Down The Road," LoneStar’s nostalgic "Everything’s
Changed"... and Billy Ray Cyrus is even listenable with "Busy Man." Overall,
it’s plain good medicine.
NOTE: Due to space constraints, the following reviews were not included
in the print edition of Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter.
These reviews are only available here in the online edition.
by Dan MacIntosh...
The long-form review for...
Country Cares For Kids II
BNA Records
This charitable-cause album is also a good overview of today's country
charts.
"Something That We Do" by Clint Black is fitting, since his straightforward
words speak about how true love is a verb. Martina McBride's "Wrong
Again" is -- like much of her material -- overwrought. "Everything's Changed"
by Lonestar carries with it a deeply felt melancholy about how places and
people change. Billy Ray Cyrus sounds better than his reputation with "Busy
Man." "I'm Already Taken" by Steve Wariner is the kind of tear-jerker he's
best known for. Lari White is one of the few to put a good beat to her
addition with "Stepping Stone." The song "26 Cents" by The Wilkinsons is
probably better than that family group actually is. Kenny Chesney's "When
I Close My Eyes" is the kind of ballad we used to make fun of Barry Manilow
for. Not anymore, though, in today's country music atmosphere. "Guilty"
by the The Warren Brothers is both fun and funky. Paul Brandt has a nice
turn with the simple and acoustic "I Do." "Love Lessons" by Tracy Byrd
-- with its fiddle intro -- is probably the most traditional tune on this
disc. The Kinleys truly bring a lot of sadness out of "Please." "Jenny
Dreamed of Trains" is the perfect vehicle for Vince Gill's high and lonesome
voice, and "Somewhere Down the Road" by Amy Grant is much better than her
normally simplistic gospel material.
Worldwide Radiohits.99
Caprice International Records
Although this release is eclectic, even for the most eclectic among us,
calling it a 21-cut collection of "radio hits" is a big misnomer. While
Hour Glass is able to conjure up memories of when Ratt and Poison ruled
the charts, they’re clearly no competition for the Korns of this world.
And when you get to Neil Della Torre Jr.’s swing take on "Anything Goes,"
you’d better go have the brakes checked on that time machine of yours.
One Two Blow
25 Records
This compilation features a wide variety of modern rock styles. Blaze has
sort of a glam-lite approach with "Prey For Me." "Lifeline" by Osmosis
has a nice acoustic guitar intro. Firedaze is a sprightly sounding Celtic
group with its "End of the Light." "Girl in a Flower Shop" and "Galaxy
Base Spaziale" by Stoker are flawed by weak vocal tracks. Addano
sounds a lot like ’60s folk and psychedelic music with "I Haven’t Told
Her Yet." "Build" by Red Ash and the Love Commandos has an annoying spoken
vocal. Smiler is recorded nicely on it’s pop-rock "Love Me Always." "Eylinerrefinery"
has an ominous Gary Numan quality to it. Plastik comes off positively manufactured
in "Blow-up." "What Did I Do To You" sounds like it was recorded on a portable
cassette deck. The Hamptons sound like what the Beach Boys might have come
off like, had they been raised on the East Coast with "She Couldn’t Make
The Stretch Marks Tan." "You’ll Never Be Mine" and "Home Alone" by Jeg
are punky little bits of angst. Idiot Bear has kind of a Cure vibe on "Easter
Island." "Cosy" by Round Wound is a few rude moments of fun. Drowning Boats
have great guitars, but awful vocals with "Absolute Bliss." "Now Is The
Time" is not a bad slice of yearning pop when in the hands of Malice In
Wonderland. Parkstone Dub Foundation closes this collection with a blues-y
rocker, and
not the kind of reggae it name might imply.
by Vic Gemmingen
Seattle Women • Back Porch Gossip
Joerecords.com
An inspired collection of blues covers by Jet City women. Interviews with
the artists gives a nice history of the Seattle blues scene and the torch
carried by these talented singers. Comp includes awesome covers of "Walkin’
Blues" (Holly Figueroa) and "Hound Dog" (Kathi McDonald), as well as some
impressive originals and performances. A unique listening experience for
blues fans.
The Limey Original Movie Soundtrack
Flash Cut Records
The Limey features some songs you know (The Who "The Seeker," Boston "Smokin’"),
but, it’s the ones you don’t know that are really interesting. Composer
Danny Saber brilliantly captures the sounds of late ’60s/early ’70s mod/porn
on wah-wah mood tunes that sound as cool as their picturesque/scene-related
titles ("Limey Shuffle," "Sitar Bathroom"). The original score by Cliff
Martinez is powerful as well. When a mostly-instrumental soundtrack makes
you want to see a film, it’s good.
by Tyler Moore...
Drive Me Crazy original motion picture soundtrack
Jive Records/Fox Music
This soundtrack tends to rely on HAM (Hits Already Made) such as the Backstreet
Boys’ "I Want It That Way" and the Barenaked Ladies’ "It’s All Been Done."
It also includes the summer hit "(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!)."
Less Than Jake provides the angst of the album with "Help Save The Youth
of America From Exploding." Jars of Clay make an appearance with
"Unforgetful You." This is definitely a crowd-pleasing party album
with a little something for just about everyone.
Millennium Singles
Caprice International Records
This compilation is made up of song and spoken word from all genres.
"Custom Made" by Dave Gero is a well constructed love song with a country-sweet
theme. Neil Della Torre’s "They All Laughed" is for the big band,
Sinatra fans. There is upbeat blues such as the Icemen’s "Sweet Loreena."
Then, for the guitar fan, there is "Have a Nice Day" by Peter Estrella.
Nothing but a very melodic guitar with rhythm and bass to back it up.
This is definitely one of the biggest varieties of music put on one album
I’ve ever seen. There are even tributes to Elvis by Amy Beth.
by MikeSOS...
Rise 13 -- Magick Rock Vol. 1
The Music Cartel
Produced by English stoner rock pioneer Lee Dorian, this compilation
CD is a 13 track barnburner, showcasing some of the
fresher faces on the indie rock circuit. Sporting the likes of Unida
(featuring wildman John Garcia,) Spirit Caravan, Orange
Goblin and Goatsnake among others, this CD is a surefire hit for those
that enjoy tuning in, dropping down, and burning out.
by Diane Anderson...
Root II
Root Of All Evil/Earl Root
The Root Of All Evil record presents a collection of the best death metal,
Goth, old school metal, crust core, industrial and extreme dark ambient
music Minnesota, Ohio, Japan and South Africa has to offer. Band
like Porcelain God, Impaler, 612 Crew, Sign and Tellariam to name a few
plus 13 other bands. If you want to here the best each bands has
to offer, I highly recommend this CD. Check out some of the best
bands the world has yet to discover.
This CD can be purchased at Root Cellar Records by e-mail (root@rootofallevil.com)
or at 1-888-663-2070
by Al Slavicsky...
animalhouse.com
Universal Records
Containing 15 tracks from new and upcoming artists, this CD represents
some great music from bands such as Crystal Method ("Comin' Back"), Black
Eyes Peas ("Que Dices"), Grinspoon ("Champion"), Blink 182 ("Josie"), Semisonic
("Singing in My Sleep"), Homegrown ("Suffer"), Canibus ("RipRock"), and
more. Overall, a great mixture of hip-hop, alternative, rock, electronica,
and more. Worth checking out to see what bands are going to be the next
big things.
Family Values Tour CD
Immortal/Epic Records
Highlights the highly successful Korn Family Values Tour. This CD contains
exclusive live tracks from Incubus, Orgy, Ice Cube, Rammenstein, Limp Bizkit,
and Korn recorded during the fall 1998 Family Values Tour which was one
of the most successful live packages of the year. Highlights include Rammenstein's
"Du Hast," Ice Cube's "F*** the Police," Orgy's "Blue Monday," Limp Bizkit's
cover of House of Pain's "Jump Around," and Korn's "Got a Life," to name
a few of the 21 tracks. Overall, one suggests that you check out studio
material from these artists before you check this out... so you can see
where the bands are coming from. Also, disappointment occurs in the live
mix.
The Malaco Music Group Sampler
Malaco Records
A great sampling to the whole world of Malaco and its subsidiaries Waldoxy
Records and J-Town Records. Contains artists such as Johnnie Taylor, Carl
Sims, Shirley Brown, Mel Waiters, Little Milton, Stan Mosley, Kristine,
and Poonanny. If you never listen to any of these great blues, R&B,
and urban contemporary artists, then you are in for a treat. Wake up and
see what is happening within the stables of Malaco.
Skunk Records Sampler Fall 1998
Skunk Records
Skunk Records continues with their tradition of releasing great compilation
sampler with new music and some rare gems here and there. The Fall 1998
sampler has material from Skunk idols such as The Ziggens, Del Noah &
the Mt. Ararat Finks, Corn Doggy Dog & the 1/2 lbs., Filibuster, Long
Beach Dub All-Stars, Slightly Stoopid, and Das Klown. Plus there is an
exclusive track from the band Secret Hate, which is not signed to Skunk
Records. Some of the highlights include Bert Ziggen doing a solo track
called "Here Comes a Regular," Filibuster with "Me & All My Friends,"
"Lonely Man," and "Chin Up," and Del Noah & the Mt. Ararat Finks doing
"Mr. Lucky," "Bajavishnu 500," and "Re-Satch-A-Go-Go." If you ever need
something to party with, grab a 40 oz. and slip to freedom with this release.
12" Essentials: The Seventies
Chronicles
The definitive 12" single collection featuring classic 12" dance mixes
-- many have been out of print since their original 12" pressing. Contains
the extended version of the Brothers Johnson's "Stomp," which has an extended
horn interlude in it. Alicia Bridges' "I Love the Nightlife (Disco 'Round)"
has an extended intro and the outro is extended with a long instrumental
break. Peaches & Herb's extended version of "Shake Your Groove Thing"
is a little disappointing, for it ends with a fade into the reverb vocals,
which is on the commercial 12". Donna Summer's "Last Dance" is a complete
reworking of the song. This collection also includes material from Bionic
Boogie, Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, and others.
CMJ: The Year in Music 1980
Chronicles
CMJ is a weekly music trade paper, and this series highlights the
hits that the alternative college radio stations and DJs were reporting
to CMJ in 1980. The selection is rather good, for it includes classics
such as The Pretenders' "Brass in Pocket (I'm Special)," Devo's "Whip It,"
the B-52's "Private Idaho," Gary Numan's "Cars," and Madness' "One Step
Beyond." Plus, it includes lost gems such as the Ramones' "Do You Remember
Rock 'N' Roll Radio," The Teardrop Explodes' "When I Dream," The Brains'
"Money Changes Everything," Gang of Four's "I Found That Essence Rare,"
Dead Kennedys' "Holiday in Cambodia," Public Image Ltd.'s "Poptones," and
Ultravox's "Vienna." Alternative music from 1980 which is still refreshing
today.
Serial Killer Compilation
Fearless Records
28 of the best punk hardcore/alternative bands in the world today combine
to create one of the best punk compilations ever assembled. Serial Killer
is a clothing company which is known for their infamous nude in their catalogs.
Some of the noteworthy bands featured include Queers, No Use For A Name,
Blink 182, Gob, Cooter, Bigwig, All Day, Zeke, Ballgagger, and 30 Foot
Fall, to name a few. If you really want to see what is going on in the
punk world, check out this release.
NG Records Sampler
NG Records
Features material of great bands who are currently on the NG Records roster,
including Orange 9MM ("604" from their Ultraman vs. Godzilla EP
and "Beowolf"), Spider Virus ("Young Turks," a Rod Stewart cover, and "To
Screw Ya"), Battershell ("White Wedding," a Billy Idol cover, and "Electric
Chair"), Lower East Side Stitches (selections from Staja98L.E.S.
-- "Naked A" and "Down the Drain"), The Forty Fives ("Get Out" and "More
Than Ever"), and the last band featured, noisecore legends Anal Cunt (doing
probably the first time ever on any CD -- selections from their long out-of-print
split EP with the Meatshits). Overall, the NG Records bands are truly gods
of the independent music world.
Ozz Fest '98
Best Buy
A special double CD devoted to bands that played on the Ozz Fest '98 tour,
plus some added goodies. Bands that were on the North American Ozz Fest
'98 dates included Ozzy Osbourne, Coal Chamber, Limp Bizkit, Sevendust,
Kilgore, Soulfly, Megadeth, Monster Voodoo Machine, Motorhead, Incubus,
and Life of Agony. Other bands featured are Slayer, Fear Factory, Vision
of Disorder, Cold, Rob Zombie, Monster Magnet, Deftones, Rammstein, Rorschach
Test, Gravity Kills, Jackyl, Clutch, Kid Rock, Sprung Monkey, Urge, Flight
16, Spineshank, and Our Lady Peace. Overall, a worthy compilation of new
metal/hard rock rock bands.