PacificUV- Star Bag - CD
(Warm)
Imagine a movie that's nothing but montage, where they show just bits and
pieces of what happened. The music is usually gentle and ethereal. The usual
length is about 30 seconds, because while interesting at first, that the
longer it is, the more boring it is. This release is an equivalent to an
over 40-minute montage.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Kaitee Page - Kaitee Page - CD
(Kaitee Page)
With a voice like a cross between Alanis Morissette, Tori Amos
and Ani Difranco and a violin style like Wild Colonials, Kaitee
Page really does an impressive job on this four track release. The second
tune,"Dichotomy", is my favorite, blending together alternative rock with
classical violin styling. Other bands have tried to do this but failed by
either being too commercial, Bond, or not accessible enough, Vervein.
This is one of those releases where everything just comes together and I'm
smitten. One of the best new releases of 2007. I'm looking forward to hearing
a lot more from Kaitee in the future.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Pain - Wonderful Beef - CD
(Birdcage Records P.O. Box 784 Sierra Madie, CA 90024) Pain is a
wonderful, goofy ska band. I saw them a few years ago in North Carolina
and was totally blown away by their energy and songs. This is the first
release I have heard and can tell you that it is great, but can't match
up to their live show. If you like great ska and bands like They Might
Be Giants, then you will love Pain.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
(Megan Palmer) Immediately I am reminded of The Wild Colonials, primarily due to the sweet vocals and the complex dissonance in the instrumentation. I hear bits of Lauren Hoffman and Pale Beneath the Blue in the tracks as well. Mixing genres and instruments seems to come naturally to Megan and she pulls it off with wonderful results. The music is on the light end of the spectrum, but perfect for what's going on. My favorite track is "Portland", and I've very intrigued by the sexy Cajunesque "What Comes Around". Two of the songs veer too far into country territory for me, but they are still well done. Megan is incredibly talented and writes some excellent heartfelt songs of love, longing and loss. An excellent debut solo release.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Robert Palmer - The Best of Both Worlds 1974-2001 - 2CD
(Universal Records / Hip-O)
I was wondering how this could be a two CD set. I know Robert Palmer
has been around quite a long time, but I could only think of a few of his
songs such as "Bad Case of Lovin' You", "Addicted to Love", "I Didn't Mean
To Turn You On", "Simply Irresistible" and the Powerstation hits
"Some Like It Hot" and "Bang A Gong". But once I dived into the discs I
remembered songs like "Spanish Moon", "Can We Still Be Friends?" and "Sneakin'
Sall Through the Alley". I was surprised by how many of his songs I liked
and by how many of the ones I've never heard were great. If you like some
of his songs you will find these discs to be a welcome addition to your
music collection.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Paper Tiger - Paper Tiger - CD
(Paper Tiger)
Paper Tiger has an acoustic-alternative rock sound with nasally male
vocals. This is one of those bands that while they really aren't that bad,
their just isn't a song on this release that's catchy enough to make me
want to listen to them repeatedly or to try to seek out any other releases
that might be out there by them.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Parijs Plague - Surpmurdr - CD
(Monstaar Records)
This is by far the best album I've heard from the Russian Monstaar Records
label. This is actually even quite listenable. The label describes this
as noise and noisebeat. I'd call it noise combined with power electronics
and techno beats.
-- Hans Mutant (2007)
Earl Parker and the Ravens - Show Me the Money - CD
(Earl Parker
and the Ravens) Soft blues rock is something I’ve never really heard
until now. There are the basic elements of blues rock, the emotional guitar
breaks, the soulful female backing vocals along with the bluesy bass and
drumming. However, the overall vibe and vocal style is very light rock in
an all too restrained way. A few of the songs break out a bit and put forth
their blues rock sound in the typical way. Earl Parker & the Ravens
are a decent, if restrained, blues rock band with a honkey-tonk soul, but
nothing I could see moving beyond the local club scene.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Parliament - Funked Up the Best of Parliament - CD
(Universal
Records) We've gotten in some Parliament in the past and this
collection isn't much different in it's makeup from the others. You get
the king of early funk George Clinton and his first group Parliament
showed a whole new style to the world which is still incorporated in current
music from R&B to rock. The sixteen songs are taken from all nine of their
albums and feature too many musicians to name. If you like your funk...or
just want to find out how the funk it all started then get this disc and
let George take you to the mothership.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
The Alan Parsons Project - Tales of Mystery and Imagination Edgar Allen
Poe (Deluxe Edition) - CD
(Universal Music
Company) The epitome of '70s prog-rock this release based on the works
of Edgar Allan Poe has to be part of the inspiration for the movie
Spinal Tap. While I like prog-rock and I certainly like some Alan
Parsons Project songs, this release is so full of itself that I'm certain
it helped to spawn the punk movement. At times I thought it was Jack
Black doing one of his hilarious Tenacious D songs, but alas
it is the Alan Parsons Project.
But wait, there's not just the original disc that was released in 1976,
there is a remix from…1987? Yep, by this time there were many more fun toys
for a prog band to play with and actually this version holds up a bit better
and is more interesting, but still over produced and humorous in a sad sort
of way.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
The Party of Helicopters - Please Believe It - CD
(Velocette Records)
I loved the smooth vocals which sounded effortlessly powerful and how they
meshed so well with the guitars jams. The lyrics were right on and the song
"Delta 88" is as catchy as hell. The bad thing is that all the songs sound
the same. I got bored on the second listen to this CD. So while it's a great
first listen, over the long run it's just too much monotony.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Patience Please - Parallel Plots - CD
(Jigsaw Records)
Another five-song EP, this CD is classic garage-sale organs and garage-band
guitar, with a boy/girl vocal combo and decidedly Attractions-esque
sound. Nothing too incredible here, just good, fun pop rock music, with
relaxed singing against energetic guitaring and drumming. The sound is cheap
and that's pretty cool, 'coz when the big crunchy guitars kick in, it's
like a stereo revelation (see "Little Mouthfuls"). Too bad the bass is barely
audible most of the time, the drums sound paper-thin, and the whole thing
seems to be mixed with too much emphasis on the center of the stereo field.
Nice, smart Generation X indie-pop rock music you can take home to your
mom (no guarantees she'll actually understand it - so that's pretty much
a success as well).
-- Jeremy Mutant (2006)
Patience Please - Fleeting Frequencies - CD
(HHBTM Records) Geeky
indie rock played with youthful enthusiasm and loads of catchy pop hooks.
Patience Please has that great Happy Happy Birthday To Me
sound which I love so much. They also heard out to the realms of their influences
such as Superchunk, XTC and the Weakerthans. At times
I heard a bit of J. Mascis in their singers voice, but it doesn't
really stick around for long. If you love catchy indie rock then you will
get a thrill out of Patience Please.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Joshua Path - Headlight In The Sun - CD
(Vanalden Records)
Headlight in the Sun is an enjoyable alternative singer/songwriter
album. It has an REO Speedwagon sound with nice beats and catchy
rhythms that you want to tap your feet to.
-- Simi Mutant (2007)
Glenn Patrik - Mr. Blues Jr. - CD
(Glenn Patrik) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Patsy Grind - Call it Love - CD
(Happy Dagger Records)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Jesse Payne - Beyond the Leaves - CD
(Jesse Payne)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
The Payola Reserve - 200 Years - CD
(The Payola Reserve) A college rock band that seems to take a lot from bands
like Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker and even The Black Crows.
Though firmly based in rock, they throw in quite a lot of blues, rockabilly
and bluegrass into their mix. The songs are tight and catchy, but there's
just something about the singer's voice that leaves me wanting. It's not
bad; it just conflicts with the music and makes The Payola Reserve
sound more like a mediocre late '60s rock band than an intriguing college
rock band from the mid '00s. I think they would be a pretty big hit on almost
any college campus and seeing them live would probably be a good time.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
The Peabodys - Dilemma - 7"
(Mutant Pop)
Great Ramonish early '90s pop punk. The vocals have a snotty quality
about them. The lead off tune, "I Want a Girlfriend" is great.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Peaches & Herb - The Very Best of - CD
(Universal
Chronicles) When I see photos of Peaches & Herb, I can't help
thinking that they are the African-America equivalent to The Captain
& Teniel. This is one of those releases where you have to be a hard
core fan to like. The Peaches & Herb sound is pure roller disco,
which is summed up perfectly on the tune "Roller-Skatin' Mate". The only
two hits on this release are "Shake Your Groove Thing" and "Reunited", which
are reason enough to pick up this CD.
-- Mite Mutant (2002)
Peni5 - Lettuce, Turnip, and Pea - CD
(Tinnitus Music)
Nothing here to get excited about. This is your basic punk that so many
bands have been churning out for years.
-- Mite Mutant (2004)
Pennenga - Cried Like a Baby - CD
(Pennenga) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Pennenga - I Am Not Insane - CD
(Pennenga) This release sounds like it's full of acid induced schizophrenic
musings. Think of what sort of music that a band consisting of Syd Barret,
Frank Zappa and the guys from DEVO might put out, and you'll
be close to what you'll find here. This CD starts off with an troubadourish
tale of talking to trees and them talking back, which seems like it was
plucked right out of Syd Barret's noggin. "Tiny Toes" is the sort
of song that Frank Zappa would have as the B-side to "Dancing Fool."
And while you're at it, be sure to check out "Crazy Little Bastard", a song
that's good for any occasion.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Pennenga - Imagine - CD
(Pennenga) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Penny Restless - The Trials of Penny Restless Vol ii - CD
(Penny Restless)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Pennywise - Land of the Free? - CD
(Epitaph) It's so amazing
that something so fast and in your face could sound so good and melodic.
There's a consistent theme throughout this release that is summed up perfectly
in the title of this disk. Full of intelligent angst this album feels like
the punk rock version of Rage Against the Machine lyric wise.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Penthouse - Remix EP - CD
(Beggars Banquet) Beat
box grooves, echoing guitar, swirling synth and stylin' vocals rock your
ass off on this four-song EP. I was groovin' around the office to this CD
much to my fellow employee's dismay. The sucky thing about this is since
it is only four-songs; it left me burning for more.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Pepper - Kona Town - CD
(Volcom Entertainment)
This band plays pretty typical reggae. The only things that keep them from
being boring (yeh most reggae is boring unless you're smokin' a fatty) is
that in some songs they break into some good pop punk ska and on "Face Plant"
there's not a hint of reggae. In concert I'm sure they are a fun band or
if you indulge in the aforementioned substance otherwise it's just not worth
your time unless you love reggae. Yah mon we be rockin.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Steve Peters - Paradox - CD
(Awakening Comics)
Let's start out with the good. I like the cover art on this release. Now
for the rest. The music, vocals and lyrics on this release are weak and
the playing is klunky. While I am almost interested in seeing the comic
book Third Eye #1 to see how the music on this CD relates to it,
I really don't think it will be worth my time.
-- Stig (2008)
PH Balance - pH Balance - CD
(Daemon Records)
I was really surprised when I first listened to this CD I'm use to hearing
folk-flavored groups on the Daemon Record label. pH Balance
has more of a soft jazzy sound with soothing female vocals that melted me
on first listen. With its mixture of rap with the satiny female vocals,
this band reminds me of Morcheeba.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Phineas Gauge - Phineas Gauge - CD
(Phineas Gauge)
This four-song EP is competently produced, with proper musicians, and it
covers all of the basic subjects that spawn art, as indicated. Well .. I
read that there are only two really. Drinking is more of a modus O, in my
understanding of it. Regardless, while this EP is all of the good things
I just said, it's also fundamentally dull. Since essentially ALL songs are
about love and death at the core, I want to hear something a bit more complex,
you know? The lyric, "I would run 3000 miles to touch your heart, to make
you smile" just pisses me off when it comes from a grown man. I spent the
majority of my experience with this record becoming despondent, despite
the sort of guilty jitter I felt when this first track opened up with a
1980's Van Halen-style piano. Before I could express my glee with
a private Jump, I was dashed down by poorly written lyrics forced into overly
simple melodies. The second and third songs go by with only a short pause
to distinguish them, and nothing else really happens. The fourth track is
the most interesting, as it sounds like it could almost be from a musical.
The fact that I mean this as a redemptive comment is a singular incident.
The lyrics and lyrical melodies are the perpetrator on this disc, and the
victim is the musical composition that doesn't get heard as a result. I'm
not saying that it isn't good, but it doesn't seem to have been inspired.
Any band named after a guy famous for having a metal rod shot though his
head obviously has no idea what they are doing in general. Try googling
them, and you'll see what I mean.
-- Sitcom Serf (2007)
Jim Phillips - Jim Phillips - CD
(Jim Phillips) This is a very interesting CD. Jim has a bluesy/Elvis/lounge
singer style in both his music and vocals. However, the songs he sings are
about the Bible. While the subject matter and lyrics make the songs feel
monotonous, I will say that there is catchiness to the music and the opening
tune "Count on You" is a pretty good song.
-- Mite Mutant (2008)
Phillips, Utah & Difranco, Ani - Fellow Workers - CD
(Righteous
Babe Records) The first thing that came into my mind when I heard this
CD was Phil Ochs and the United States of Poetry release. This release
has Utah telling stories dealing with workers and unions while Ani
and a few of her friends back him up with music. The stories are interesting
and the music is great.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Pi - The Curse Of The Songwriter - CD
(ThatCrazyChick
Music) PI is the female leader of this acoustic/mellow alternative
rock band. While the music and vocals aren’t that bad, it just seems like
they are missing that certain oomph that would make them more memorable.
I feel that at times the vocals have too much of an “American Idol” feel
to them. There’s too much concentration of the vocal having to be perfect
and less on the organic that shines through when someone truly loses themselves
in the music.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Pidgeon - From Gutter w/ Love - CD
(Absolutely Kosher
Records) I enjoyed this release when they focused more on the gruff
alternative pop sound. But whenever the screamo and experimental noise kicked
in they lose me. The female screaming vocals work well on one song, and
just seem like a novelty on the rest.
-- Mite Mutant (2004)
Pinback - Offcell - CD
(Absolutely Kosher
Records) My first thought on this band is a nerd rock emo band. Sure
emo is fairly geeky to begin with, but these guys have almost a They
Might Be Giants thing going with their voices. However, it isn't anywhere
near as fun. My mind keeps turning to thoughts of an updated Alan Parsons
Project or Steven Stills solo album. It's decent, but a little
to laid back and it doesn't have that something special to grab my attention.
It just kind of sits there like a dog on a hot day.
-- Grog Mutant (2003)
The Pink Snow Flakes - Sun Chasing - CD
(The Pink Snow
Flakes) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Pinkerton Thugs,The - End of an Era - CD
(Go Kart Records)
Another punk band that I'm sure would be great to see live and would be
one of the happening bands on any local scene. But after hearing more than
100 bands with the same exact sound, the punch just isn't there for me anymore
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Pinkeye d' Gekko - Rhythm & Western - CD
(Force MP Entertainment
/ Space 380) This is definitly one of those bands that can't be summed
up under one musical genre. The tune "Theme from The Working Poor" has a
bouncy Americana feel. They are more country sounding on "Country Heir."
And the song "Inside Job" sounds like a Julianne Lennon ballad. I
like the fun feel that they went for on "Another Quick Store Robbery", that
had me thinking of the ditty "Ignorance is Bliss" that the band Jellyfish
did for a Mario Brothers soundtrack. This is a band that definitly gets
extra points for it's diversity.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Pinkeye D'Gekko - Dry Clothes for the Drowning - CD
(Force MP Entertainment)
This band just about covers it all on this one CD. Their sound is vastly
different from song to song. Here is just a few of the styles they dabble
with; Molly Hatchet - Doobie Brothers - ZZ top & Alice
Cooper - dance electronica - PM Dawn - David Bowie - early
'60s rock - early '70s mellow. What you get in the end is a mish mash of
mediocre songs with only a couple worth listening to.
-- Mite Mutant (2004)
PipeDown - Enemies of the State - CD
(A-F Records) I
would have to say that this is my favorite release from the AF label. These
guys have a great mix of Avail, Nation of Ulysses and J-Church.
I was expecting standard snotty punk, but had a big surprise and loved all
eleven tracks. This one goes straight into my collection and will be unleashed
on my unsuspecting co-workers.hehehe. Great lyrics and a well thought out
rant by the singer Ean Elliot. This contains many of the thoughts
which I based my personal opinions on throughout my teens and 20's, however
I hit that wall of idealism in the 30's.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Pistol Whipped - Too Much Excitement - CD
(Beluga Records)
Pistol Whipped has a lovely alternative sound. Some tunes have an
almost acoustic flair, while others rock out with a tasty melody that gets
you moving. The CD starts off with a bang and stay hot all the way through.
My personal taste leans more towards the songs with female vocals, however
the songs with male leads are just as strong. Great.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Planeside - Milk - CD
(Exotic Recordings)
An alternative indie rock band with a punk twist and an obvious Foo Fighter
influence. The vocals of Dave Harris are reminiscent of Nickelback's
Chad Kroeger. This was most distinct on Track 6, "El Rodeo." I would
not be surprised to see Planeside playing at the Warped Tour
in the near future.
-- Simi Mutant (2006)
The Pleasures of Merely Circulating - The Pleasures of Merely Circulating
- CD
(Ettabelle Records)
Makes me think of The Muffs and the Eyeliners mixed with Yeah,
Yeah Yeah's. They are a good blend of indie rock and raw punk-pop enthusiasm
being held together with some Texas style punkabilly. Jeanne's sultry bad
girl voice and raw guitar playing mesh in great with the steady drums and
adrenaline fueled bass lines.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Poco - Gold - 2CD
(Universal
Records) Poco were never my favorite band. Their "Eagles-lite"
sound usually struck me as derivative... but that makes sense, as half of
them seemingly went on to replace the other half in various Eagles
lineups over the years; and the inescapable fact that they were born out
of the ashes of Buffalo Springfield - as evidenced on their first
few albums. Somehow, though, with such a slate of their own lineup changes,
they've managed to keep roughly the same basic sound over untold centuries
(actually, close: nearly 40 years now) of light, slightly countrified pop-rock.
Although the awful taint of Richard Marx (see 1989's Legacy)
really had them against the wall as repeat offenders of the safest, poppiest
kind, you just can't help but recognize that even in those dark times, they
had some terrific songs.
Like the Catherine Wheel, this is That One Band, who did That One Song... and That Other One, et cetera. You may not even remember that it was Poco who did such classic, mellow pop-rock hits as "A Good Feelin' To Know," "Keep On Tryin'," "Crazy Love," and "Call It Love," but they were there, like wallflowers at a high school prom, alternately providing light-rock janglers and Peter Cetera-style overblown ballads (replete with sticky-sweet string arrangements). However, their best output was not necessarily on the slew of mind-numbingly tasteful makeout songs they did. When they busted out their distortion boxes, songs like "Legend," "Streets of Paradise," and "Widowmaker" (hell yeah!) prove that they were more than capable of bruising some eardrums with some bad-ass outlaw-rockin' when they wanted to.
Unfortunately, the always too-crisp ride cymbals, over-compressed drums,
pansy-pantsed earnest lyrics, and nearly soul-sappingly tasty licks ultimately
marred this horse's brilliant sheen so badly and so permanently that they,
perhaps undeservedly, forever banished themselves to the "whatever happened
to...?" bins of a vinyl yesteryear. At 34 tracks, this is one set that could
easily have been boiled down to less than 20, saving your ears from a nearly
two-and-a-half hour sugar coma in the process. This is proof that working
with Richard Marx (and, ok, other commercial producers of his putrid
ilk) may land you some quick bucks and a few free coked-out limo rides,
but it's a road to eternal damnation that no honest band should take if
they want to keep their souls intact. Better to go get Buffalo Springfield
or Eagles and call it a day.
-- Jeremy Mutant (2006)
Polar Goldie Cats - Polar Night Stress - CD
(Up Records) Swirling
hypnotic instrumentals fill up this release. A steady bass, sparse drum
lay the backtrack for the guitar fingering that drives the songs in the
most subtle way. Yes, another fine gem from the folks at UP Records.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Polara - Jetpack Blues - CD
(Susstones Product)
I've been listening to this release off and on for well over two months
now, but haven't been able to put together a review. I really like the disc,
but it's hard to describe. Polara is one of those rare bands that
is instantly likable, however they defy easy classification. One of my favorite
songs is "Jetpack Blues" which has a ethereal background with a gospel like
infusion, yet it still rocks. Next is my favorite song of Polara's
"is this It?", which has a great simplistic beat, guitar work that brings
to mind The Pixies, horns ala "5:15" from the Who and an overall
sound that drags you in. Another favorite track is "The Story So Far", which
has an alt-country tinge, great lyrics and an overall feel that leaves me
smiling. A couple of the songs make me think of the Wallflowers,
which I guess could be the closet comparison. However, Polara is
truly a band that is different...and in my world that's great. This one
is a keeper and my pick for one of the best releases of 2002.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Polka Floyd - The Polka Floyd Show - CD
(Static Records)
Normally I like CDs like this where a band would present classic rock songs
using a different musical style, (Dread Zeppelin, anyone?) but this
one just fails to impress. The songs on this CD just lacked the gusto that
one would expect with a band such as this. If you hanker for this type of
music then you might want to check out Those Darn Accordions out
instead. I would also suggest that The Polka Floyd Show not just
focus on one group like Pink Floyd and stretch out to other bands
to help to liven things up.
-- Mite Mutant (2008)
The Police - The Police - 2CD
(Universal Records)
The Police are back and for their 30th anniversary they have released
this 28 song double CD of the best material from their five albums and one
single. Most of the songs are now classics, from "Roxanne" to
"Murder By Numbers" you get them all in one package. It's hard
to believe that they broke up back in 1984, but still have such staying
power today. The packaging and booklet for the release are really nice as
well, but one thing does disturb me...all the pictures are them as they
appeared in the early '80s as if they were frozen in time. Regardless, I
find this to be a great release and I expect it to be getting a lot of airplay
in my home throughout the summer.
-- Grog Mutant (2007)
Marco Polo - Throw Away Jointz (Vol. 1 & 2) - 2CD
(Vino Music Group)
Marco Polo is a rapper from Detroit in the vein of Eminem.
He however is definitely not the famed 13th century Venetian explorer nor
is he the famous NYC Hip-Hop producer Marco Polo. I’m not really
all that into rap and the style I prefer is a lot more old school that this.
This Marco Polo is decent from what I can tell, but just like his
name he is not original.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Polydream - Send Me To The Sun - CD
(Polydream Music)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Poor Billy - Moonlight Stranger - CD
(Poor Billy) Poor
Billy sounds like fairly standard southern fried blues, until you realize
that they're from Denmark. This really made me take a second listen to their
songs and sound. They really have the feel and vocals nailed and even the
lyrics, which I felt were simplistic, are great considering it's most likely
not the singer's native tongue. His real accent doesn't come out until the
very last track, "High On You" where you can tell something is up. Overall
I am very impressed with Poor Billy's ability to emulate the sound
of Southern blues when they come from Europe. However, if I strip away that
fact and rate them up against American bands I'd put them at just above
average in their genre.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Poostosh - Untime - CD
(Untime Records) Here's
some experimental music from Russia that bores me halfway to death. If you're
into experimental noise combined with a bit of that ambient stuff, then
this might be for you, but I am guessing that it's not.
-- Hans Mutant (2007)
Pope John Paul the Third - Pope John Paul the Third - CD
(Mishap Records) There's
a part in the movie There's Something About Mary where a police office
looks at Ben Stiller's character and asks, "What... the hell...were you
thinking?" The same question could be asked of Pope John Paul the Third
after listening to this release. As is proudly announced on the first track,
this album was recorded on a Tascam 246 4-track, and it shows. While a few
of the tracks have potential, they get buried by the stupidity. I'm sure
I would have a different opinion of this CD if they would focus more on
the good stuff like the Weakerthans sounding "Confidence Factory", and cut
out the trash on this 22-track disc.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Ana Popovic - Comfort To The Soul - CD
(Ruf Records) Ana
makes a feeble attempt to come off as a tough blues/country/rock girl. Something
one might enjoy while drinkin' a few beers at a back roads country bar with
peanuts under your feet and a big haired gal at your side.
-- Simi Mutant (2003)
Populuxe - Deep in an American Evening... - CD
(UE3 Records) Decent
laid back alt rock band with a vocalist who sounds like the guy from the
mid 90's band The Mieces. The music is well structured, the lyrics
are good and the vocals mix well. However, nothing here sticks with me.
I'd rather hear this than the plague of lame hard "alternative" rock acts
now clogging the airwaves, but this isn't much better. I wouldn't turn this
off if it came on the radio, but I wouldn't turn it up either and would
forget what they sounded like when the next song came on.
-- Grog Mutant (2006)
Patrick Porter - Die Wandaland - CD
(Grey Day Records)
The CD cover has a blue rubber duck and pink rubber duck on the front. The
back has the blue rubber duck surrounded by pieces of the pink duck on it.
I thought to myself, this looks like it will be interesting to listen to.
Boy was I wrong. Sleepy vocals, singing sleepy lyrics over sleepy music
just equals a bunch of ho hum. Did I say I liked the cover?
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Debbie Poryes Trio - A Song in Jazz - CD
(Debbie Poryes)
This is light piano based jazz very similar to that of Vince Guaraldi
(the man responsible for the music on the "Peanuts" specials). Most
of the tracks are covers but the only one I recognized off hand was "Pannonica"
by Thelonius Monk.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
Pos-Neg - I'm A Problem (Single) - CD
(Pos-Neg Music) After
hearing lame American hip-hop for years, it's refreshing to hear something
really catchy for once. The sad thing, however, is that even though these
guys have got a good song here, they probably never will hit mainstream
radio, while all those ugly motherfuckers will keep popping up on MTV, rapping
about how large cocks they have, while their bitches are dancing in the
background with even larger breasts. My advise is to check out Pos-Neg
instead or simply watch some porn. All that said, I think Pos-Neg
could've put some other b-side on the single as well, instead of just having
a street, radio and tv-version of the same track.
-- Hans Mutant (2007)
Post Stardom Depression - Ordinary Miracles - CD
(The Control Group
Records) Is this band America's answer to the Great Britain band, The
Darkness? If the question is a cheesy hard rock band with adolescent
lyrics that sounds like it longs for the days of the late '80s bar band
sound, then the answer is yes! The only difference is that the vocalist
doesn't do falsetto, which is at least a plus.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Justin Potts - Eohippus - CD
(Justin Potts)
This CD starts off with the quirky Esquivel-like electronic instrumental
"Eohippus" which had me immediately thinking that I was in for something
completely different by listening to this release. The electronic quirkiness
continues on the next tune, "Quid Pro Quo" which has an Atom and His
Package quality to it. The rest of the CD for some reason reminded me
of Beck, especially the tunes "These Eyes" and "Glow". It's as if
with different production they actually could be Beck songs. Not
bad.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
James Power - Real Real Man - CD
(James Power) While
I do think that the music on this release is decent, I will say that I wasn't
too impressed with the vocals. The lyrics I'm on the fence on, while not
bad overall, they still needed to be tightened up and tweaked a bit. The
first song on this release is decent enough, however I feel that it would
be better presented as a snotty punk tune. I also liked the melody and basic
storyline to the song "Frankie", but it definitely needs more revisions
done with the lyrics.
-- Mite Mutant (2008)
Luke Powers - Picture Book - CD
(Phoebe Claire Publishing)
Luke Powers is a singer-songwriter with a lean towards country in
his musical style. The title of this disc is appropriate because it seems
like many of the songs have the singer looking back on his past. While a
few of the songs are okay, there seems to be staleness to the release as
a whole. The songs all have the same kind of feel to them and the consistency
of the looking back on life theme doesn't help. I found the lyrics to be
lacking as well. The lyrics to the opening of "Mr. Yeah Yeah Yeah" consist
of the list of people on the Beatles Sgt. Peppers album cover.
An e.p. would have been fine, but 15 songs nah.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Praxis - Tennessee 2004 - CD
(ROIR) I guess some
people like this stuff, but I find it nothing more than a guitar-player
wank fest. This is a release for musicians who like to hear other musicians
play their instruments very well. Buckethead (who I'm not a fan of)
is the wanker on guitar. He is joined by super-musicians Bill Laswell
and Bernie Worell of P-Funk, and Brain of Primus.
I saw Buckethead when I won tickets to see G&R (featuring
Axl Rose) a few years back. I was unimpressed as he lumbered from
backstage, played a Slash solo, and then lumber to backstage almost
the entire show. I actually was so impressed that I left the show early.
If you want to hear good guitar work, then listen to solo's by greats like
Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, etc. If you want to hear six-string
masturbation, then pick up this release. It will go well next to your Vinnie
Vincent Invasion cassette in your record collection.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Premium - Lucky - CD
(Premium) It's
that hard rockin' sound that's so hip at the moment. This is one of the
better bands out there doing this sort of music and I could actually see
them as the opening act for Korn or another band in that genre.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Josh Preston - Exit Sounds - CD
(Me and the Machine
Records) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Tristan Prettyman - Tristan Prettyman - CD
(Capitol Records)
"In Review"
-- (2008)
Priapistol II - Priapistol II - Cassette
(E-Mail Groovetown) This release
is what happens when two guys get together with an ensemble of electronic
instruments and just go at it. This cassette full of experimental noise
will surely get your parents into a hissy, and is that such a bad thing?
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Kirsten Price - Guts & Garbage - CD
(Kirsten Price)
Kirsten has a nice blend of gritty R&B and soul melded with pop rock
sensibilities. I get a sense of KT Tunstall, Amy Winehouse
and Christina Aguilera mixed in with a shot of gin at an inner city
bar. The songs are rough, sexy and sensual and you get a feeling that Kirsten
is a force to be reckoned with. Her voice is extremely powerful and she
is in complete control here. If you have been searching for something catchy
and soulful that hasn't been distorted by the mainstream then Kirsten
Price is yours to be found.
-- Grog Mutant (2008)
The Priests - Streetwalker - CD
(Garage Pop Records)
Attack of the garage rock monsters. These guys are very traditional garage
rock somewhere between Electric Frankenstein and the MC5.
Rough, grungy fun for everyone...even better if you're on some type of mind
altering substance.
-- Grog Mutant (2002)
Spike Priggen - The Very Thing You Treasure - CD
(The Volare Label)
This release has an acoustic feel to it, even though there's use of electric
guitars throughout. I guess a good description would be electric folk. This
band would be the perfect band to play at the local and legendary Canal
Street Tavern. My overall fave tune on this release is "She Used to
Be My Baby". Awesome.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Primus - They Can't All Be Zingers - CD
(Universal
Records) The monster that is Primus have long deserved a best-of
anthology, and they finally get one. Fans may already have all of this stuff,
but if you've ever had your entire CD collection stolen while on vacation,
you'll need to pick back up in a hurry. Fortunately, there's not much absence
that can't be tolerated here, so this will give you a quick fix while you're
stocking up on all the other discs by other artists which you've been missing
so badly. Bonuses to getting this one regardless: an extended version of
"Shake Hands With Beef," the wonderfully creepy, haunted-calliope Tom
Waits collaboration "Coattails Of A Deadman," and the fairly rare track
"Mary The Ice Cube" (from the Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People
DVD/EP).
For those who don't have a clue, Primus is a crazy-ass band from the San Francisco Bay area featuring the world's most insane bass player, Les Claypool. Although their drummers have always been frantic and heavy, and Todd Huth and Larry Lalonde are virtuoso guitarists (who unfortunately play more than they actually say), Primus has always been mainly a bass-and-kooky-vocals groove machine. If you like funk served up hot and steaming, great. If you like Seussian lyrics that occasionally saunter into twisted and perverted and often juvenile territory, over a groove so bent you'll break your ass off trying to dance to it, you'll definitely get it. If you have ever taken enough LSD to drop a moose at thirty paces, you will identify with it on a sub-cellular level. (Word to the wise: don't do drugs, and especially don't put on Frizzle Fry while frizzle-frying. Just...don't.)
On second thought: one song I wish was on here is "Bob," the only (lyrically, at least) sad song I think I've ever heard Primus do.
Overall, a wholly worthwhile addition to any Primus-free (or nearly
so) CD collection.
-- Jeremy Mutant (2006)
The Process - Blood + Bones - CD
(Static Records)
First off, this release gets an honorable mention for cheesiest misleading
CD cover. They chose to go with an Egyptian theme for their cover. A few
hieroglyphics, the sphinx with Little Orphan Annie eyes, and the cartoon
hands of a mummy is what this 'Reggae' band thought would best represent
what type of music could be found inside. Then again, I did say the cover
was cheesy, so I guess it is a good representation.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
The Production Club - Follow Your Bliss - CD
(Lunch Records)
Every once in a while there comes along a CD that just blows me away. This
is one of them. Production Club is the brainchild of producer Wally
Gagel (Belly, Old 97s, the eels, etc.) and features
various artists including Tonya Donnelly, Lou Barlow, John
Doe, The Incredible Moses Leroy, and more. This CD took me back
to the heyday of great dance club music where you would hear everything
from world sounding rhythms, to industrial dance, to alternative-pop. I
love everything about this release. From the 'My Life with the Thrill Kill
Kult' sounding "Follow Your Bliss" which opened the CD I knew I was in for
something special. On "Devil's Kiss" Tonya Donnelly never sounded
better. John Doe showed that he is more than a cow-punk crooner as
he laid down the vocals on "Leap of Faith". Great release.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Bodi Profit - Aurora Radio - CD
(Bodi Profit) This
sound like it's the soundtrack to a very bad musical. Wait! I have it all
wrong. It's really just a really bad conceptual CD. The songs are feeble
and the vocals are just dreadful in their delivery. And Dr. Drake Edwards
(as played by Doug Taylor) needs to get closer to the mic when he
records his "[audio diaries]." What's the use of having them if you can't
hear them? The CD actually ends with a song that has the lyrics "I've suffered
all so much." That's exactly how I felt after listening to this release.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Program the Dead – Program the Dead – CD
(Low
Altitude Records) Program the Dead sound like
they're a rock band with a punk guy for a lead singer. The guitar sound
throughout this disc has a Rage Against the Machine Feel
to it. This is most prominent on the tune "F .ree P .ersonality T .est
(85%)", which is a Rage type song through and through. This isn't a
band that is afraid to incorporate a unique use of instruments and sound
into their songs. This works best on the song, "Swimming in the Sea
of Media". And while I like this song, the lyrics could have been a
bit better.
-- Mite Mutant (2006)
Proletarian Art Threat - Proletarian Art Threat - CD
(Lean Enterprise
Recordings) The blazing mentally ill punk rock vocals charge through
the five songs on this release faster than a speeding bicycle. The madness
in which they attack the music reminds me a bit of XBXRX. As opposed
to much of this type of punk, Proletarian Art Threat does more than
the basic fast 4/4 basic chords, which is a good thing.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Propagandhi - Where Quantity is Job #1 - CD
(G-7 Welcoming
Committee Records) A pleasant little group that at times is your basic
fast in-your-face punk ensemble and at other times is a pop-punk outfit.
At it's best this CD contains a slew of songs with catchy hooks that are
a joy to scamper to. At it's worst, some of the songs are basic pissed-off
about everything guy-punk. I loved all the live tunes. I was there getting
caught up in the moment. I always loved the name of this band. The music
is fairly typical mid tempo political hardcore that at times sounds like
J-Church on the poppier songs. If you're a young punk of on the left
side of politics, this is a must have. Propagandhi is still one of
the best bands in this gendre.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Prosolar Mechanics - Turn On - CD
(Ambiguous City Records)
This is one of the many bands that I first got to experience at WE2K. The
thing about Prosolar Mechanics is that they were one of the few bands
that really stood out. Guitar fueled and female vocal driven, this CD is
nothing short of killer. Dammit, I wished I lived on the East Coast so I
could see this band again. Come on, you know that you have always wanted
to play Dayton, Ohio. Bart Simpson's from here you know.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
The Protocol - Recess - CD
(Parlor Records)
The Protocol has a sound that meshes easy going vocals and rhythmic
rock with a punch that keeps your toes a tappin'. The opening tune, "The
Words You Didn't Say", has a sound similar to Placebo. On the tune
"Barcelona" The Protocol has a nice upbeat sound and on "Entry Fee they
me a lot of the Offspring but with the punch of a Hive's tune.
The Hives sound shows up again on my favorite song on the disc "Click"
which has a bit of Sex Pistols thrown in there as well. The only
song I didn't really like was "Who Decides?" which was just weak lyrically
and musically. But with 11 good songs and only 1 bad, it doesn't take a
genius to realize that this CD is worth checking out.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Bill Prouten - Low-Down, No-Good... - CD
(Keyano College) "In Review"
-- (2008)
Jordan Pruitt – No Ordinary Girl - CD
(Hollywood Records)
Yeah, the vocals are good and in some cases the songs are catchy, but in
the end it’s just another new teen top-40 pop princess. You heard one, you’ve
heard them all. It’s all a matter of having songwriters come up with a catchy
tune that will have a life cycle of at least a year until the next one comes
along. With song titles like “Miss Popularity,” “Teenager” and “Who Likes
Who” you know who the target audience is.
-- Mite Mutant (2007)
Public Enemy - The Millennium Collection - CD
(Universal Music) Back
in the day rappers used their verbal and musical skills to put out some
killer tunes. They didn't rap about how big their dick was, talk about bitches
or use a slew of cuss words in a cheap effort to sell their albums to naïve
kids. They rapped about issues in a way that focused on real issues and
the way they did it was pure poetry. Public Enemy was at the head
of the pack and is one of the few rap bands that I really like and fully
respect. Filled with their best tunes, this release is a welcome addition
to my CD collection. All the hits are here, "911 is a Joke", "Don't Believe
the Hype", "Fight the Power", "Bring the Noize" (with Anthrax) and
so much more. Get this CD and hear what a true rap group sounds like.
-- Mite Mutant (2001)
Pully - Together Again for the First Time - CD
(Epitaph Records) Fun,
happy Punk-pop that reminds me a lot of Sicko (who happen to be one
of my all time favorite bands) and All. Nothing new, but in the absence
of many of the great punk-pop bands it's good to see that there is at least
one more band playing the style well.
-- Grog Mutant (2001)
Pulp - Hits - CD
(Universal Records)
Do you like Bowie? Joy Division? Charlie Sexton? Well
take all three of these and you have the goodness which is Pulp.
I have to admit that I have never heard of this band before we got this
CD in, and it's a damn shame. This release is awesome. I'm sure that while
this band was big in Europe, some record executive didn't think they would
make it in the United States. If this is the case, how wrong they were.
With deep crooning male vocals combines with dance beats that gets your
feet moving, every song comes off as a classic. While every tune is great
my two personal faves are the opening "Babies" and "Underwear". Let your
friends listen to this and they'll want to rush out and get their own copy.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Punching Judy - 2001 Tour Demo - CD
(Punching Judy) This band reminds me of the punk pop of the early '90s.
The kind of music that started me on my way to zine punkdom. The music is
fast and catchy and the lyrics scream angst. The song "'Burbs" is reminiscent
of the tune "Kids" by the early '90s Dayton Band Liquid Draino It
also brought to mind the movie Surburbia in which a very young Flea
played a punk with a pet rat. However, Punching Judy show that they
do have a soft side, which can clearly be heard on the tune "Daughter/Beer".
When they sing "Last night I banged your daughter and then I drank your
beer", it took me back to the simpler days before punk went corporate. Back
to the days when all one cared about was sex and booze. Thanks.
-- Mite Mutant (2003)
Push Puppets - A Living Experiment - CD
(Push Puppets)
"In Review"
-- (2008)