NSB - Alhora O Nunca - CD
(Dream
Sound Recordings) This four-piece hiphop combo from Harlem is the real
deal: cheap keyboards and drum machines mar every minute of the CD, but
at least you can tell that they mean it. Most of the time they seem to be
fairly intent on making the next big Dirty South crunk hit, although unfortunately,
they never quite pull it off. There are even spots where the seemingly-required
wailing female backing vocal is noticeably off-key. But there's fun beats
to jam to in the car. If you don't speak Spanish, you might not be able
to get into it, but don't let the song titles scare you; there's a lot more
English here than you'd expect. There's a lot of flavor here, and the Harlem
vibe is palpable. With a great producer (and more English), this could be
great stuff. Personally, I'll wait until that happens before spinning this
disc again.
-- Jeremy Mutant (2006)
Nagaoag - Yama Labama - CD
(Public Eyesore Records)
I'm going to write this review with the same kind of effort that band put
into making this slog. Here goes. Jdia ijfpandfpu fdmapfy idofhafiadfi oifjamsdufae
kfj[maumae jfmaoimajajad. Oaj[fadfjaek,'flja df[aj,faf afa[opfa,]perioa[o
fama' dpfoa,dr[aiaga'dfac afnaga. ;fnda adfjona ioarnaio[amnamaiohjadfakmoaiojm
canafiumaeo[I afhaehi.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Naked Flames - Animal Love - CD
(Naked Flames)
Naked Flames is a comedic metal band from the UK. They are ok musicians
with a sophmoric sense of humour. None of the jokes will go over your head
and the music sounds close to what my shameful high school metal cover band
played. Their first song is called "Stuck Up" which is the tale of a farmer
who gets stuck up one of his sheep. They do have their moments, but for
the most part they are better left in the unknown pile.
-- Maximillion Twist (2006)
Naked Rhythm - Frequency - CD
(Caravan Records)
I was really looking forward to this release the moment I read about it.
It was described as a world-inspired house and techo band with forays into
Middle Eastern, Indian, hip-hop, jazz and lounge. Add to that belly dancers
on stage and you have a winning combination, right? Yes! This is an amazing
release and is on par with one of my favorite world bands Afro Celt Sound
System. One of the strongest aspects of their sound is the understated
driving techo beats and the bongos which help to blend together the disparate
genres that form very seductive rhythms.
This release also gets my vote for best album cover of 2006...a very curvaceous
naked torso with the naughty bits just barely covered by cover art. Get
this disc and loose yourself in the exotic and erotic rhythms.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
The Naptown Amplifier Co. - The Indiana Waltz - CD
(Fat Max Records P.O. Box 16414 Austin, TX 78761) These guys are definitely
lo-fi and they do it well. It's like a better GBV, however some of
the songs get a bit repetitive. By themselves the songs are fun, interesting
and full of power, but after I hear five in a row I start to yearn for something
different...which is usually my reaction to GBV. So the bottom line
is if you like lo-fi college bands than you'll love Naptown Amplifier
Co.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Narayan - A King Declares Strength - CD
(Narayan) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Nasa - Remembering the Future - CD
It's so strange. I just picked up the Alan Parson's Project album
(yes, album) Sterotomy the other day in Columbus, then I get this
CD the sound is so similar. However, this release is more electronic and
pop orientated with a dance-spacey feel. This release requires a person
that has a certain taste in music to like it. So if you like the Alan
Parson's Project you might dig this. If you hate them, then you won't.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Natacha Atlas - The Remix Collection - CD
(Mantra Records / Beggars
Group) I really don't know what these songs sounded like before the
remixes, but now they are Middle Eastern ambient / trance / dance songs.
I really like this for background and think I'll keep it.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Needle - Songs Your Mother Never Sang You - CD
(OnlineRock Records)
The vocal style of Mazzy Star with the basic vibe of the Wild
Colonials. The music is very sparse and consists primarily of light
drums, xylophone, delay injected guitar and various synths, plus a violin
on a few songs. I also catch the feeling of Syd Barret era Pink
Floyd in the songs.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Casey Neill - Brooklyn Bridge - CD
(In Music We Trust)
This release brings together the elements of folk, alt-country and a bit
of celtic from a musician I'm embarrassed to say I never heard about. Casey
Neill's writing and vocal style himself brought to mind thoughts of
Warren Zevon and Neil Young in his prime. Featuring members
of The Decemberists and John Wesley Harding you can start
to get the whole picture of the unique sound of this release. Brooklyn
Bridge has a raw, stripped down sound that is honest and revealing.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Neptune's Favor - Neptune's Favor - CD
(Neptune's Favor)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
The Nerd Parade - A Delicate Bashing - CD
(Headphone Treats)
I'm torn on this release. I like a variety of the songs on this release,
but am not a fan of the disc overall. "Yr Horrible Stupid Life" has a catchy
Atom and His Package-like opening. The distortion of the chorus is
a bit much, but still decent. The both of them together diminished my enjoyment
of the entire song.
I also like the lyrics on the entire disc. The female and male vocals are terrific as well. However, it seems like the distortion is a bit high on many of the songs, which make them muddy sounding. And while I love the female vocalist, I found that they were a bit too R&B poppy on "A Bird's Song" and "Wide Asleep". They should also stay away from rapping as well.
When all of the elements come together in perfect unison, the results are
wonderful. "Kittens", "The Devil of California" and "Ice Cream" are three
songs on this release that are a perfect example of this. I still think
this is a CD worth checking out. I just hope on their next release their
production will get better. There's great potential here.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
The Nerve Agents - Days Of The White Owl - CD
(Revelation Records)
Speedy punkrocknroll that makes me smile with glee! In my opinion there
can never be enough bands playing this kind of music. The bass player is
especially entertaining as is the angry sounding singer. I can recommend
this one unconditionally which I rarely do!
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Nad Neslo - Back From Gone - CD
(Nad Neslo) Nad
Neslo covers a song by Neil Young on this release and even has
a bit of Neil's 70s sound. This wouldn't be too bad if Nad
had a better voice and a better backing band. His guitar playing is perfect
for the sound and style he is playing and really does rank up there with
some of the great late 70s singer songwriters. I will admit that he does
have talent and is an excellent guitarist. Nad just needs to surround
himself with some better musicians and a better singer, then he will really
be someone to reckon with.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Never Heard of It - *Limited Edition - CD
(Unmotivated Records)
It's pop-punk that teeters on the edge of commercial pop-punk, ala Blink
182 and the like. The music is solid, the vocals are great and the lyrics
are smart. This is a band that you might see on the Warped Tour. My fave
on this disc is "Veronica". The band gets an extra credit point for referencing
Screeching Weasel in the lyrics of "Alone". The disc ends with a
free-for-all ode to Tequila that is just stupid fun.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
Nevereven - Nevereven - CD
(Nevereven)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
New Bomb Turks - Nightmare Scenario - CD
(Epitaph Records) Goddamnit
I paid good money for this when it first came out and now I get a free copy!
Anyways this is more classic Turks material, more in the vein of
the earlier stuff than the last record, which I thought was very boss indeed.
I guess I am a little disappointed with this return to the older sound I
had hoped the would build on the Stooges/Stones vibe they had on
the last record. Needless to say this is a must buy for all Turks
fans!
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
New Estate - Considering... - CD
(Kittridge Records)
“Open” reminded me of Ween. The vocals are whacked out without
meaning to being driven by an unconscious psychedelic grove. Many of the
songs feature distorted guitars with mellow male and female vocals. The
bands downfall is the repetition in the music which makes the songs fell
longer than what they are. And like Ween, there’s only so much of
this CD that I can listen to in one sitting.
-- Mite Mutant (2005)
The New Loud - Me (Secrets) You - CD
(I Heard You Wanna Fight
Me Records) The New Loud brought my 07 in with a geeky bang.
This disc contains four very catchy geek-rock songs in the vein of The
New Pornographers and Weezer along with a taste for the 80's.
From the first chords of "Secrets" I knew I was going to like
this band. They mesh well, they have a quirky indie rock sound, it's well
produced and they have a drummer named Radish Beet! The only weak track
was "Heatattack" which I found to get a bit annoying.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
The New Pornographers - Challengers - CD
(Matador) Their
2002 release, Electric Version, has been one of my favorite releases
of the last several years. However, I was less thrilled with their next
release Mass Romantic, which just didn't do it for me. So, I was
really looking forward to this disc, yet a bit hesitantly. It took me a
few listens, but this is by far their best album yet. You can hear a bit
of a Pixies influence in the song "Myriad Harbour" with its Joey
Santiago guitar line and in the slow and the dreamy female fronted "Challengers".
But, their sound isn't just limited to that one style, as they mix together
many styles into one amazingly cohesive package that is impossible to resist.
I think the New Pornographers have turned into the Pixies
for a new generation; smart, catchy, indie rock with a sound all their own.
With their vocals and playing skills being showcased so effortlessly in
what sounds like perfectly crafted indie pop songs. The New Pornographers
are one of the most consistent and under-rated bands of the 00's.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
The New Whole Unusuals - Present Martin Moeh - CD
The New Whole
Unusuals I can't decide if this CD gave me my current headache, or if
it just drew on out that was already there and intensified it. Think of
the result you would get if you put Ween, Mr. Bungle and Dave
Thomas of Pere Ubu in a room filled with various instruments
and the corpse of Frank Zappa while films of early black and white
cartoons were projected on the walls, and then you dared them. DARED THEM
to come up with something weird that moderately still resembling the structure
of a proper song. Now if this scenario appeals to you then this is the CD
for you. All I can say is make sure you take an aspirin just in case you
have a migraine developing below the surface of your skull. That's all I'm
saying.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
New York Dolls - Lipstick Killers: The Mercer Street Sessions 1972 -
CD
(ROIR) I can't believe
no one else snatched this up from the review pile! This record is the
Dolls earliest studio stuff and there is a demo type feel to the performances
but the sound is pretty good and it ranks far above some of the Stooges
bootlegs I've bought! This record has all the hits you've come to expect
from these pre punk fashion plates, so if you're down get this.
-- Howard X (2001)
David Newbould - Big Red Sun - CD
(North Star
Media) The CD cover looks like this should be a country / cowboy type
disc and wouldn't you know it. It is! However, I'm a bit more disposed to
liking this than I normally would be because David Newbould sounds
so much like David Pirner that he gets extra points. The music is
on the mellower side of country and is a fairly close cousin to folk.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Olivia Newton-John - One Woman's Live Journey - CD
(Hip-O / Universal Records)
I have to say that after seeing Olivia Newton-John in the movie Grease
back in 1978, I had, what we called back then, the hots for her. I even
had one of those magazine posters of her on my wall. My brother ended up
drawing a mustache on her, which totally pissed me off. After destroying
the poster trying to erase the mustache, I threw it away. Now here it is
some 24 years later and Olivia is looking as hot as ever. So when
Grog asked if I wanted to review this release, I responded with a hearty
"Hell Yea!" This live CD was recorded at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City
and at 21 songs is packed full of Olivia goodness. Her vocals are
as strong as ever and the CD does a great job of including her hits. My
only disappointment was with the songs she did from Grease. The male
vocalist just sounded like crap when compare to John Travolta's from
the movie. Overall a great release. Behold, the power of cheese.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
Niblick Herbane - Go Away - CD
(TKO / Flat Records)
Basic punk rock with gruff vocals. Might have liked this CD more if I could
read what the name of the fuckin' band was. Words of advice guys, choose
a font that is legible for your next release.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Nice - My Planet - CD
(Tank Farm Records)
Well this bands name really does describe the band. They are nice. Listening
to them for a second you'd almost think they were a rock band, but they
aren't because rock isn't "nice". They are pop or almost to saccharine sweet
to be pop. They are the Pat Boone of modern music, even if their
pictures make them look otherwise. Realize what these guys are... they are
nice. Arrrgggggghhhhh!!!!! Please give me some death metal or something...
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
NIN - And All That Could Have Been - CD
(Interscope / Nothing)
This is a live NIN's album, but you really can't tell much of a difference
other that some changes in the song arrangement. A few of my favorite NIN
songs are included such as "Closer", "Head Like A Hole" and "Starfuckers
Inc.". I'm assuming that unless you live under a rock in Afghanistan then
you already know what NIN sounds like. This was also released as
a DVD which I'm sure is great. If you like any NIN then this is a
must.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Robert Nix - It's A Complicated World - CD
(Robert Nix)
When I first popped this in I heard a vocal cross of Morrisey and
Brian Ferry, but not the good aspects of their voices only the annoying
bits. The music has a bit of a late 80s post punk / goth sound under the
roots rock top layer. Second track had me ready to vomit...Annoying as fark.
Some of his lyrics make attempts at sounding deep such as "A Black Spot
On Humanity" which I assume is about Hitler, but it comes off as sounding
trite and whiney. His heart is in the right place and he cares about a lot
of important things, but music just isn't his strength...especially singing.
One of the worst CD's I've heard this decade, this is truly a black spot
on humanity...at least musically speaking.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
No Alternative - Now or Never - CD
(Static Records)
MxPx light. goes out slower. Won't fill you up...You can hear these
guys have Talent, now they just need the Creativity. If you like the typical
Pop punk that fails to go the extra mile then this is a nice pick.
-- Simi Mutant (2002)
NoMeansNo - All Roads Lead To Ausfahrt - CD
(Ant Acid Audio)
I wasn't aware they were still around, but I'm glad they are. Their album
Wrong from 1989 is one of my all time favorites, I even had the honour
of having my band open for them back in '92. This disc contains 13 jazz
influenced punk songs full of energy and fire. NMN has been around
for over 20 years and the guys have to be in their 50's, but they could
outplay almost any band out there and top them with their wit, sarcasm and
energy anytime. They are amazing to see live and a blast to listen to at
any time.
I'm really diggin' "So Low" which is the quirkiest songs I've heard from
them and they even wrote the first love song to a dog I've ever heard of
"Faith". A brilliant release by some great musicians from the great white
north! "If you see ahead you are missing your behind"
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
No Motiv - Diagram for Healing - CD
(Vagrant Records) Intelligent
punk.
-- Regan (2001)
The Noise Revival Orchestra Experience - Mini USB Thumbdrive
(The Noise
Revival) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Noodle Muffin - Magnum Dopus - CD
(Fyoog State Records)
Weird name, weird cover (A kid with a brain on a plate being served to a
nuclear couple inside the TV), weird song titles ("Backwardz Masking Korruptz
Kidz", "Ass-Licker", "Zdrawkcab Gniksam Ztpurrok Zdik" and "Vamos a
Comprar")...what are the chances that they sound weird? Very good indeed.
The vocalist sounds a bit like the guys from They Might Be Giants
and they have a similar geeky eclectic musical style. However their sense
of humor is quite different and focuses primarily on sex and sophomoric
type of humor. Such as "747" - "My penis is the size of a 747, you think
it will be heaven, but I think you outta know that you're gonna split."
Strange and funny in a South Park type of way.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Donald Norris - Donald Norris - CD
(Donald Norris) I'm a bit confused on this one. It starts out with an acoustical
tune with a female singer. The last two tracks on this 3-track CD have male
vocals with a strong country twang. This is a homemade CD without liner
notes, so I'm not sure who the female is. The first song is pretty decent
and the music and vocals on both are good. The lyrics on the last two songs
are horrible. I know that the songwriter is trying to make a statement with
the lyrics, but I feel that there would be a better way to convey the message
that would be more interesting.
-- Mite Mutant (2008)
NorthSouthEastWest - The Islands Are Still Sinking - CD
(NSEW) This band
just blew me away on my first listen, which is pretty rare. Is this a sign
that good music will return in 2007? If NSEW is any indication than
the answer is yes. These guys are a great blend of some of my favorite styles
without being overbering with any of them. NSEW has elements of punk-pop,
sceam-o, emo, , indie and basic rock. If you were to take bits of Jimmy
Eat World, Hawthone Heights, Taking Back Sunday and The
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, then mix it into something new it would be NSEW.
Get this and help them out with their March tour. See their myspace page!
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Not For Capture - People - CD
(La Mante Productions) It's not every day a French band sends me their CD
for review, although it happens from time to time. For some reason these
guys (and girls) must think that I understand French, since they sent me
a press-release written in French. So, since I don't understand bloody French
and probably never bloody will, I can't tell you much about this band, other
than what I am hearing on the CD of course. Not a lot of bands play this
kind of pop-rock that Not for Capture play. It's sorta laid-back
sometimes with kinda talk-ish male-vocals in French, while other times it's
more melodic with female-fronted vocals sung in English. Overall, I'd say
that this is an interesting band, but they need to show me a little bit
more before they've won me over. A little more rock n'roll wouldn't hurt
either.
-- Hans Mutant (2007)
Notaword - Four From Fortieth - CD
(Double Zero
Records) Yet another pop punk band that leans toward the better end
of the sucky band/great band scale. I did enjoy their music, but after listening
to 50+ bands with the same sound that we got in for this issue, the excitement
just wears off.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Nsioaz - On Da Inside - CD
(Nsioaz) This is an interesting concept, a rap album conceived and recorded
entirely in prison. It's a pretty cool concept and is executed very well,
especially when given the constraints they are working with in prison. There
are some talented wordsmiths and come across really well, but others just
have a good flow with not much to say and just fall flat. There is no denying
that there is plenty of talent locked up. I just hope this project is being
used for good and that any money made is being used to help those in need…maybe
the families of the men who are locked away.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Nyco - Two - CD
(Nyco Music)
This energetic Chicago band has a style similar to John Mayer and
a hint of Marcy Playground. Two initially has a punk rock
feel to it, but gains some more power with a bit of funk/jazz feel containing
good beats. They cover a wide variety of styles, yet still manage to make
it work well.
A legend in the music world, Shelly Yakus, mixed the album. Yakus has also recorded/mixed for such musicians as John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Tom Petty, and the list goes on.
These guys really know what they are doing, especially since this is their first release. I would, however, expect them to know a bit about music considering Ted Atkatz (vocals/lead songwriter) and Rob Kassinger (vocals/guitar/upright bass) are both members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
This is a lovely album that provides 11 tracks of foot tapping excitement.
-- Simi Mutant (2006)