"Album Reviews"
Sponsored In Part By
Plankeye - The One And Only
BEC Recordings
Plankeye is intent upon capturing the moment, instead refining a thing until
it's slippery and smooth. Vocalist Scott Siletta often pushes his voice past
the breaking point in these honest songs about making sense of bad situations.
At its best, Plankeye often sounds like a later day Plimsouls. The One And Only
is a little rough around the edges, but it's hard to miss the bright light of
rock & roll energy shining through.
- Dan MacIntosh
Anne Summers - The Dandy
PC Music
When a band begins its album with the words "driving drunk, waiting for
the brick wall" you're aware immediately that they're not card-carrying
members of the optimists club. Anne Summers brings to mind Elvis Costello
fronting the group Gene, and its album is highlighted by witty lyrics,
choppy pop-rock musicianship, and a positively negative attitude. It
just may make you want to grab a six-pack and go for a spin.
- Dan MacIntosh
Toby Palmer and Chosen Generation - When We Get Over There
CGI/Vectron Records
Eleven songs of contemporary gospel fueled with
plenty of uplifting joy and praise. Whatever your
religious affiliation, when this group gets going you
can't help but tap your feet and get enthralled in its
spirit and power. Standout tracks include "Power,"
"Caught Up" and the title song. Can I get an amen somebody?!!!
- Eric Harabadian
Jars of Clay - Much Afraid
Silvertone/Essential Records
Strong hooks, wonderful harmonies and fine pop songwriting all merge,
to great effect, on this new release. A nice balance of acoustic and
electric sounds that is both quietly reflective and emotionally powerful.
- Eric Harabadian
Steve Wynn - Sweetness and Light
Zero Hour Records
Steve Wynn has been making records since the early eighties, first with the
Velvet Underground-oriented Dream Syndicate right up to his prolific, albeit
cultish, solo career. Wynn is an accomplished guitarist and songwriter who
writes thoughtful and wry pop gems, not unlike artists such as Tom Petty and
Elvis Costello. Rock with an intelligent and vivid lyrical sensibility, yet
edgy enough for those geared mostly to the beat.
- Eric Harabadian
Fly - Bombthreat: Before She Blows
Kneeling Elephant Records/BMG
It's nice to see a major label distributor like BMG take a chance on some
truly creative music once in a while. While Fly's instrumentation is typical
in their use of guitars, bass and drums, their approach is anything but!
From the Beatlesque opener "Nothing Will Replace" to the Tom Waitsish
"Dastardly Bastard," these guys definitely seemed more interested
in carving out their own musical niche. Worth checking out!
- Eric Harabadian
Paul Krassner - Brain Damage Control
Mercury Records
The legendary journalist, comedian, and political satirist Paul Krassner
returns with a new comedy album, demonstrating he has lost none of his
post-sixties hippie acerbic wit. Leaving no stone or sacred cow unturned,
Krassner expounds on everything from "Ebonics" to the "Media" to his
involvement in the socio-political sixties drug and anti-war cultures.
His commentaries on society past and present are right on target and,
if you listen with an open mind, you might just find yourself laughing
out loud to the truths he reveals.
- Eric Harabadian