J mUNdoK - Artichoke - CD
(Jack Kettle
Records) I can best describe this release as simply amazing. This two-piece
band consisting of J Mundok (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards & Programming) and
Susanne (Keyboards & Xylophone) has much talent. The overall sound of this
release is airy-acoustical. Two of my faves on this release are "Red Walls"
and "Evening in July". I'm looking forward to hearing more from this band.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Jackpot - Shiny Things - CD
(Surfdog Records) Jackpot
had a lot of good press included in their press pack so I was expecting
something amazing. However, what I heard surprised me. I was thinking they
would be a loud, rocking band that would blow me away on the first note.
Instead they have a haunting, mellow tone that sounds like The Wallflowers...except
the vocalist has a twang to his voice a bit like Todd Snyder. At
first listen I didn't like this too much, but it has really grown on me
at a steady rate and now I'm really liking them and would say that they
are one of the better bands out there right now. So, if you like slightly
muted rock on the edge of alternative-country then you hit the jackpot.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
The Jacksonvillains - 1ST - CD
(Starfruit Records)
This is a very interesting female three piece. The vocals remind me of Juliana
Hatfield, and while the music is similar it has a more haunting tone
to it almost like a stripped down Camper Van Beethoven. They really
have that late eighties college rock appeal to them which I totally love.
I even catch a bit of fIREHOSE in their music. This has to be one
of the best new bands I have heard in the past year.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Jim Jacobi - Tryin' To Stay Positive - CD
(Jim Jacobi) Whoa. Image "The Dude" from The Big Lebowski singing
for a band that is reliving a bad early 70's acid trip. It's not nearly
as fun as it sounds, but it is a bit surreal. The music really isn't too
bad, but it has that lo-fi early 70's sound to it that I think has been
done to death. The lyrics talk of the evils in the world and Jim's personal
thoughts on life and the earth. Not really political, but definitely anti-corporate…think
Jello Biafra but not nearly as clever or pointed.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Jakob Freely - The Elliot ep - CD
(Dogfarm Records)
The music has a nice hippy acoustic jingle-jangle to it; acoustic guitar,
banjo, mandolin, hand drums, etc… The vocal have a similar quality and it
all works well on the opening tune “Dogfarm.” The rest of the tunes on this
5-song e.p. have a similar feel to them, but just aren’t as strong, especially
the lyrics on the tune “Ava.” “So please try ava, don’t lose your flavor.”
Yeah, that one just doesn’t do it for me.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Kate Jacobs - You Call that Dark - CD
( Bar None Records)
While I was working at a public radio station, I had the great privilege
to be the sound engineer for Kate Jacobs during an in studio interview
and performance. I recorded the albums worth of music on DAT and wait for
the day when I can transfer it to a CD so that I might be able to enjoy
that moment again. So you could guess how thrilled I was when we got the
release in to review. While I still enjoy Kate's singer-songwriter folksy
feel that she gives her songs, and how the lyrics take you to another place,
I felt that the songs ended up sounding too preachy. Not about religion,
but about the loss of the small farmer. So many on the tunes had the word
farm somewhere in the lyrics, I felt like this was more of an audition to
play at the next farm aid. I did enjoy this release, but it won't be getting
as many plays on my CD player as Kate's earlier stuff.
-- Mite Mutant (2004)
James, Etta - Tell Mama - CD
(Universal Music) You
don't know how thrilled I am to be getting in so many great legendary blues
CDs in. This one by Etta James is incredible. What's really cool
is that almost half of this release consist of reissue bonus tracks, with
one being Ettas version of the Sonny & Cher classic "I Got
You Babe." Listen to this and you will hear why she is legendary.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Mikki James - Guess What... - CD
(Xemu Records) Mikki
James is exactly what comes to mind when da 'Teve thinks of bar bands.
Dey have a hard rockin' sound that is perfect to drink to while hittin'
on da babes. What 'Teve likes best about dis band is dat the lead singer
sound like he is tryin' to be tougher than what he is, especially on da
title track where he sings, "Guess what...fuck you!" Even da 'Teve
can do better dan dat. Dis means dat da babes will be more interested in
da 'Teve, since da 'Teve is da type of bad boy day are lookin' for. So go
check out dis band and drink up ladies, 'cause da 'Teve is on da prowl.
-- 'Teve (2006)
The Jealous Sound - Kill Them With Kindness - CD
(Better Looking
Records) I was taken by this band on the first listen. Of course it
took me three songs to figure out that the singer was from one of my favorite
bands, Knapsack. Actually it seems like a new Knapsack release
but with keyboards added in a few songs. Their sound balances somewhere
between indie rock, emo and just plain great music. Most songs are fairly
uptempo and make it impossible to set still. A great new release from a
great newer band.
-- Grog Mutant (2003)
The Jet Cityfix - Play to Kill - CD
(Infect Records)
Hmmm. Can't tell how I really feel about these guys. Their first song is
very abrasive straight ahead rock. Then they head into a pop-punk / emoish
type style with a vocalist who I swear sounds like a pop influenced Jeff
Ott, from Fifteen. Then on a few songs they hit the hard rock style
reminiscent of Tesla. Don't be fooled, they aren't as good as either
of the bands I mentioned.
-- Grog Mutant (2003)
Jett Brando - The Movement Toward You - CD
(Gern Blandsten Records)
There are two speeds to this CD, soft and shoe gazing and sing-songy. A
subtle melodic guitar intermixed with the soft male vocals lulls you into
a relaxing bliss, while the sing-songy tunes have an almost XTC feel
about them to the point they almost sound like an Andy Partridge
side project. Very Nice.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Jodi Jett - Revelations - CD
(JodiJett) Don’t go
thinking that because her name is similar to Joan Jett that Jodi
is going to sound like Joan Jett. Jodi has a sound that is
similar to Holly McNarland, which is confident female melodic alternative.
However, Jodi’s songs just aren’t as strong.
The two songs that do work are the opening cut “Pretty Girl” and the novelty
tune “’80s Girl.,” but the rest of the songs just don’t cut it. And like
on the tune “Nemesis” where it seems like she’s just grabbing words that
rhyme and throwing them together it all gets old pretty quick.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Jimmie's Chicken Shack - Fail on Cue - CD
(Fowl Records)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Joanna - This Crazy Life - CD
(Geffen Records) This
is better than I expected. Actually, a lot better than I had thought it
would be when I looked at it's Ashlee Simpson-ish cover. Overall
the release is very similar to Aly & AJ with a bit of Avril Lavine
thrown in and the better, soulful, parts of Xtina's voice. She even
does a decent cover of "Screaming Infidelities" (Dashboard
Confessional) from the point of view of the girl. Overall I was impressed
by her ability to actually sing and the songs she chose were quite a bit
into the rock spectrum without too much pop.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
The David Joel Quartet - Spiral Sky - CD
(David Joel) "In
Review"
-- (2007)
Elton John - Greatest Hits 1970-2002 - 3CD
(Universal
Records) This is one of those releases where you don't need a review
to know it's great. It's freakin' Elton John for Christsake. If you
have no clue of who he is, then (to put it bluntly) you're an idiot. He's
been at it for over three decades, and unlike bands like The Who
and The Rolling Stones, his hit making ability didn't stop 20 years
ago. He's consistently had hit songs the whole time, and he's still going
at it. This 3CD release is probably the best collection of songs by one
artist that I have ever had the pleasure to listen to.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
John and the Sisters - John and the Sisters - CD
(Northern Blues Records)
This is fairly traditional blues, played tight and with feeling but still
nothing to excite me. According to the liner notes they have been together
for 7 years and have played about 350 shows at the Orbit room in Toronto.
So, due to the fact that they are a weekend house band I would place this
above average, but it still does nothing in the great big sea of music.
-- Grog Mutant (2004)
Jessica Johnson - Till It Happens To You - CD
(Jessica Johnson)
Damn, does Jessica Johnson have a great voice or what? This female
jazz singer is nothing short of awesome. Her vocals are strong, yet subtle.
She doesn't overdue it like so many other female vocalist tend to do. This
is a CD that you need to get just to hear er jazzed up versions of "Blue
Skies" and "Cry Me a River." While listening to this release I thought it
would be great to hear her do a cover of "What's going On" as well. Jessica
is one of those artists who it's hard to believe isn't on a major record
label. Hopefully this release will change all of that. Hopefully, she'll
also venture outside of the jazz world so that a wider audience will get
to know her and hear her awesome voice.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
The Jolenes - Rinse And Repeat - CD
(Last Chance
Records) This is very similar to the Breeders / Real Lulu.
Their picture on the front made me think of the Powerpuff Girls since there's
a blonde, brunette and redhead in the group. At times the songs seem to
drag on due to repetition or weak vocals, but sometimes they just kick.
One song, "Spare Tire Liar", even sounds like the Pixies and is my
favorite on the disc. A fun album for what it is, but not something I'll
listen to often. However, I'd like to see them live as I'm a sucker for
grrrl bands.
-- Grog Mutant (2003)
The Jolenes - Get It To Go - CD
(Good Forks) This
release kicks off with the song "Ice Cream" which is a song exactly about
that subject. With its poppy sound, basic beat and simply fun lyrics, The
Jolenes come off as an American version of the female Japanese trio,
Shonen Knife on this tune. While the lyrics get more in depth on
future tunes, the simplicity and repetitiveness of the music had me growing
weary of this disc really fast.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Dan Jones - One Man Submarine - CD
(Leisure King)
Dan Jones has a mellower-rock/alternative sound that had me thinking
of Matthew Sweet at times, especially on the tunes "One Man Submarine"
and "Phogna Bologna". Then with "My Banana" visions of the Dead Milkmen
come to mind, especially with the lyrics "My Banana has an antenna, It's
talking to an intergalactic day planner" and "I want to party just like
Thomas Hardy; When I'm 102 will I still be in school? And on "Sweet Sophia"
and "Death's Head Bar" he's somewhere else all together. It's like I was
taken on an aural trip listening to this release and for me that is a great
sign of a top-notch CD.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
George Jones - The Best of Volume 2 The '90s - CD
(Universal
Chronicles) I have to admit that I'm not a huge country music fan. However,
there are a handful of country musicians whose music I do love and George
Jones is one of them. His distinct singing style is present and his
vocals are as strong as ever. During the decade where country music became
popish, The songs on this release stand as a testament of the staying power
of George Jones. All twelve songs on this release are gems. For those
of you who have Volume 1 of Jones' Greatest Hits, this is the perfect follow-up.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
Hank Jones - The Torch - CD
(Concord Records)
The CD literally took my breath away. First off the tunes themselves are
top notch. Second the band is so fuckin' tight. Third, the piano player
is phenomenal. And as if that wasn't enough, this is a double-disc release.
The first disc was originally released as "Rockin' In Rhythm" in 1977, while
the second disc "Lazy Afternoon" was out in 1989. Putting these two releases
on one CD was pure genius, because they compliment each other so well. The
jazz on this release is so pure and organic. A welcome change from the overproduction
that goes on in the music business today. Disc one, with its basic line-up
of piano, bass and drums, is the more laid back of the two. It 's the perfect
mellow out music. Disc two is a bit more upbeat, thanks to the addition
of clarinet and alto sax. The tune "Lazy Afternoon" by far my favorite song
on this release. It's just one of those songs in which description wouldn't
do it justice, you just have to hear it for yourself.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
Tom Jones - Tom...Sings the Sixties - CD
(MCI) The Welsh Wonder
is known for his unbridled vocal power and intense charisma and it comes
through on this album of (other people's) 60's hits. Sure many of the songs
are overblown with bigger than thou orchestration, but this is Tom Jones
and he does make his living in Las Vegas you know. Most of these songs come
off as sounding great for no other reason than that mysterious "Tom Jones"
charisma. "I Thank You", "Venus" and "What the World Needs Now" are just
a few of the tunes that I found myself jamming to no matter how hard I tried
to resist. The only song that I actually hated is Tom's rendition of "Bridge
Over Troubled Water", mainly because it reminded me of the fat sell-out
Vegas Elvis and I prefer the pre-army pelvis Elvis. So get this release
and spend some family jam time with your parents.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Ray Jozwiak - Put A Finger On It - CD
(Bosky Dell & Sylvan
Glade Records) Ray is a fine piano player and a decent songwriter.
He has some really great measures and movements within his songs, but some
of them like "Honolulu Harry" draw back too often onto the main intro. Sometimes
this works, but on most of his songs the main bass line is a bit jarring
and seems not to flow with the rest of the piece. Instead it competes with
the melody line and stands out instead of underlying it and complementing
it. I think Ray is a great piano player, but his songwriting skills need
a bit of work.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Jubeus - Natural Mood - CD
(Jubeus) Damn, at first
I thought this was Jebus! Jubeus is a rock band with bits of funk
and reggae thrown in to liven things up. I could see these playing an outdoor
city festival. The music is good and well executed and could appeal to a
large segment of any city's population. However, they do take on the feeling
of a good time party band. There's nothing wrong with that and there are
plenty out there doing a great job, it's just not my cup of tea.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Jucifer - I Name You Destroyer - CD
(Velocette Records)
I think this is the third release from Jucifer that I've heard. They
are a very unique duo that seems to be transported from the 70's. Jucifer
has the spacey sound of Sonic Youth without the feedback and the
vocals of a female fronted LSD induced band. It's amazing how full the songs
sound with just guitar and drums and the unsettling hypnotic effect that
they have on me.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Jucifer - War Birds - CD
(Velocette Records)
Maybe it's just me, but I feel cheated after hearing this E.P. The vocalist's
set of lungs produces this sultry, yet almost melodically layered monotone
voice that I really liked. The rest of the music just does not compare or
do any justice to the vocals. Jucifer (I have to admit the name is
pretty interesting/funny,) takes on slower rhythms and drumbeats. Fuzzy
distorted bass mixes with chunky, heavy guitars so that sometimes you can't
quite tell the difference between the two. I found myself nodding off and
drooling on myself in-between the periods where the girl sang and the music
just drudged along. There is a small oasis in the form of a rad faster-paced
pop song that is sung in French that I dug a lot. The esteemed E.P. in question
ends with a song that features just the vocalist and a banjo followed by
a huge sample of what sounds like a field that they recorded through some
24 hour period that finishes off with crickets chirping. which kind of sums
it up really. I will definitely check out these guys in the future to see
where their musical wanderlust has taken them. In the mean time if you happen
to come across this E.P someday, don't be put off by all the weird self-descriptive
claims on the case. Just pick it up. If on the other hand, your day never
comes, don't cry yourself to sleep either.
-- Ryan (2004)
Judah Johnson - Judah Johnson - CD
(Flame Shovel Records)
These guys have the ethereal / jam rock type of sound and in some weird
way make me think of Counting Crows. I guess it's because they have
that same jam type feel and everything flows together really well. They
also could come close to being labeled emo, but they don't have that same
feel even if the vocals could be described as being emo.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
The Judas Factor - Kiss Suicide - CD
(Revelation Records)
I like how the band's name and album title have the inter-relating biblical
reference. This has a dark, brooding, and seething rage infused Hard-Core
sound with interesting lyrics (fortunately the band printed them out in
the liner notes, otherwise I would hardly be able to understand them on
most of the album). On most of the songs (there were only six), brief segments
of quiet, angst-filled spoken word over soft music are intermittently interrupted
by bursts of harsh walls of sound and screamed out vocals. The final track,
"November 20, 1999" (oddly enough, the entire album was recorded Nov. 19
- 21, '99), really stood out to me. It begins with a sort of story, which,
at first, seems to be about the writer walking with his girlfriend down
a street at night, all lovey-dovey, and then being attacked by a gang of
thugs. Later, the lyrics reveal that the story is actually about lesbians
and hate crimes against them. So The Judas Factor is socially conscious
and mad as hell. Good stuff.
-- Tom CoreKill (2001)
(Pie Records) "Back Inside of Me" is strong and focused female singer/songwriter acoustic pop rock. Jules (AKA Julie Gribble) has a tremendous voice that brings to mind Natalie Merchant and Jayne Sachs with moments where, strangely, I thought of Poe. For a first album, this is a great. I highly anticipate her next release.
-- Simi Mutant (2006)
Jump Little Children - Vertigo - CD
(EZ Cheif Records)
I had never heard of Jump Little Children until I found out that
they were playing in Oxford, OH with the mighty Carbon Leaf. I went
to the show and when they started to play I immediately loved them. But
two days later I received this CD and they soon became one of my favorite
new bands. The whole release is great, but two songs really stand out for
me "Lover's Greed" and "Mother's Eyes". The first has a lovely flowing sound
and excellent lyrics which really capture the feeling of being deeply in
love and how the rest of the world disappears. "Mother's Eyes" has a wonderful
feel that is more important than the lyrics, personally I find it a perfectly
passionate, intense song.
Of course I like every song on the disc and each has it's own flavor which
makes for a very interesting release that's great for many listens. Their
overall sound is hard to describe but I would say that it falls into a college
rock format with a ton of emotion and creativity thrown in along with cello
accompaniment. Jump Little Children is currently one of my favorite
bands and I think will remain on my top ten list this year.
-- Grog Mutant (2003)
Junction 18 - This Vicious Cycle - CD
(Fearless Records)
The first thing that came into my mind when I started listening to this
release is that it almost reminded me of a very, very poppy version of Green
Day. But, they really don't sound like Green Day. It's all kind
of hard to explain. Maybe it's the fact that I had very little sleep over
the weekend and my mind is in a haze, that I'm having a hard time explaining
myself at the moment. But since I like to go with my initial gut feeling
I will stick with the first sentence of this review.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Juno Reactor - Shango - CD
(Metropolis
Records) This is a release Mite would love. It is a mix of industrial
/ electronica and world beat. The first track "Pistolero" is a bolero with
electronica underpinnings. The second song "Hulelam" does the same to what
sounds like Muslim chant. The songs are very hypnotic and would be perfect
for a rave or as the soundtrack for a suspense thriller.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Joanne Juskus - See Your Face - CD
(RudderFish Music)
Overall I really like this disc by Joanne Juskus, but some songs
seem a bit forced. She has a voice that makes me think of Joni Mitchell
and Sheryl Crow, but with more of a Sarah McLachlin quality
in an Enya type setting. The music is a mixture of world beat and
standard rock, with Joanne handling the piano as well as the vocals
on the tracks. My favorite songs are the deep flowing ones like "Gravity",
"Dally Not", "Rite & Ritual" & "Breathing Underwater" due to their weaving
of vocal and instrumental lines into a thick tapestry of sound and emotion.
The lyrics primarily have to do with spirituality and a strong personal
bent. "Nothing" is a prime example of Joanne's good time vibe take on what
should be a bad situation, "You left me with nothing and it feels so good".
One of the better CD's I've seen this year and a definite keeper.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Just A Fire - Light Up - CD
(Asian Man Records)
I really should like this release. It's on a great label has members from
bands that I like, June of 44 and Hoover, plus their songs
are inspired by an urgency to protect free speech and privacy in the age
of the patriot act. However, all this just can't make the band good. Their
music is decent on some songs, like "Snake in the Bush", but the
vocals just really suck and some songs are so fucking annoying, "Graduation",
I had to force myself to listen all the way through. But now, thanks to
my pain and displeasure, you know to aviod this release.
-- Grog Mutant (2003)