Bite Me! CD Reviews A - F

The 88 - Kind of Light (EMK Records)

The opening chords of Kind of Light are direct descendent of King of America era Elvis Costello.  Within moments the influence of Ray Davies takes over and jets through 13 sonic beauties.  Elegant melodies draped across multi-instrumental arrangements lift Kind of Light to a place where smart records reign.  Dreamy, mysterious, mischievous, clever and classic all describe The 88. This album feels like an old suit that you can pull out of your closet every ten years and with a modern shirt and tie be the best dressed guy at the party.  Kind of Light feels like a throwback album made by guys that are not nostalgic.  Standout tracks include Kind of Light, I’m a Man and the outstanding Something Had me Good.  Something had me Good is so good some Hollywood producer needs to find a way to fit it on an upcoming soundtrack.  Something Had me Good is a European car chase scene away from making The 88 famous.  This Los Angeles five-piece with musicians listed only as Keith, Brandon, Adam, Carlos and Mark play smart music for smart people.  Get smart and get this record.  -Brendan McMahon

The Adventures Of Jet – Muscle (Suburban Home Records) 1/2

Muscle is what this record really strives for, but it never gets there even though the band gives it the good ol' college try.  The Adventures Of Jet are an earnest Dallas trio who really want to be the Cars via Weezer.  They nail the sound pretty well (can't fault the production), but it just seems to be lacking the essential "Chemical X" that truly makes this a band to watch.  The hooks are there and I'm sure their friends and family are singing along to every song.  But outside of "Flaming Ghost", a track towards the end of the record, I can't find myself singing any of it, which means that scientifically this album has been engineered to APPEAR to have the hooks in all the right places but the actual hooks themselves don't "hook".  It's more like Steven Spielberg's movie "Hook," which was a good attempt at the Peter Pan story that missed and backfired, but still makes for acceptable background on TV on a Sunday afternoon.  C'mon, admit it, you wouldn't turn it off. - Repojay

AFI - Sing The Sorrow (Dreamworks) 1/2

Sing The Sorrow is the major label debut from this Bay Area, punk goth quartet.  The buzz on this CD has been huge, particularly because the single “Girls Not Grey” has been heard everywhere of late.  But that is just a small element of what is offered here.  The disc starts with “Miseria Cantare - the Beginning”.  The song is a call to arms to all the disciples who worship the group, and it’s just the right length to get the obligatory black eyeliner on to. What strikes me most about the album is the way it really feels like a piece of work with a beginning, a middle, and an end.  It really is something to behold.  However, Davey Havok’s vocal style isn’t going to be for everyone.  He sometimes goes for that high-pitched falsetto thing, but hey I’d likely buy an album of Perry Farrell farting so it’s fine with me.  Having said that, his range has improved on Sing The Sorrow, particularly on “Death of Seasons,” which has some cool electro effects hidden throughout.  The song also ends with some mournful strings, which I always dig. “The Great Disappointment” is definitely not that.  In fact, it’s fair to say that I prefer the deeper, slower, darker tracks than the more straight-ahead punk run throughs.  This track and the next run seamlessly into each other as you hear the words “Dancing in the rain of descending ash, dancing on your grave, I’ll see you falling,” while guitars thrash and drums pound. “This Celluloid Dream” has all the makings of a hit, but for some reason I’m not sold.  It’s a little too poppy for my liking.  But, that is not the case with “…But Home is Nowhere,” which ends and then gets damn spooky with a disjointed piano and dark poetry.  Last, but not least, is the epic sounding “This Time Imperfect,” which winds
things up very nicely.  –Glen

Bad Astronaut – Houston: We Have a Drinking Problem (Honest Don’s)  1/2

 I absolutely loved the Bad Astronaut ep, and was so looking forward to this one.  Houston starts off with “These Days”, a take off on Bowie’s space opus.  With Bowie-esque sound, and a Dashboard Confessional whiny and dank feel, I hated it because while it was trying to be original, it failed so miserably and just felt icky.  “Clear Cutting” then continued in the same “I’m emo and dark and BORING.  See me write a song!” vein.  Then the pop-punk with spacey lyrics trademark sound started to come through on “Single” and “Break Your Frame”.  Bad Astronaut added four new members, and John Popper makes a special guest appearance, which may explain the suck vs. good factor.  And the CD continued like this: “Disarm” suck; “Not a Dull Moment” half suck, half cool; etc., etc.  The songs almost all followed this formula: crappy coffee shop acoustic guitar doodling going into a harder strummed chord and then whoosh -- a song appears!   These people need to drink a lot less if they’re going to puke this out in CD form.  -J

Betty Blowtorch – Last Call (Foodchain Records) 3/4

Do you like your rock ‘n’ roll loud & dirty, fueled by a snarling attitude and sarcastic bite?  Then you owe it to yourself to pick up Betty Blowtorch’s Last Call.  This mega disc spans the band illustrious career and features rarities, demos, live tracks, and interview clips.  You’ll find it hard to resist Blowtorch classics culled from the Butt Trumpet days like “I’m Ugly And I Don’t Know Why,” “I’ve Been So Mad Lately,” and ”Ode To Dickhead”.  The raucous riffs of “Rock My World” prove that these gals don’t mess around.  Favorites like “Hell On Wheels” and “Shut Up And Fuck” sound so much better when cranked to maximum levels.  The ladies show off their lewd and crude humor in “Party ‘Til Ya Puke” and “Fish Taco”.  However, “Teenage Whore” wins for best lyrical content – boasting lines like, “I married James of The Leaving Trains, now I’m married to Kurt Cobain.”  I’ll give you one guess who this song is about.  Ms. Hole wishes she had this much cred and Kiss wish they had such balls.  There are plenty of enjoyable moments to be found on this disc.  Last Call is a good time rockin’ album that pays homage to a great rock ‘n’ roll band whose career was cut way too short.  If you have yet to discover the wonders of Betty Blowtorch, I suggest you get off yer ass and into the nearest record store.  You’ll be so glad you did. -NIN

Blue Epic – Love & Hate EP (Empathic Recordings)

Blue Epic – a band straight out of the heart of Birmingham, Alabama – strips down to the nitty gritty on their Love & Hate EP.  The group’s simplistic approach calls to mind the likes of early U2, Radiohead, and Neil Young.  In fact, these good ole’ boys even deliver a noteworthy cover of Young’s “A Man Needs a Maid” on this five-song offering, which dishes up a plethora of bold tones, majestic riffs, and heartfelt vocals.  If clean, cut rock ‘n’ roll is what you crave, I suggest you keep an eye out for Blue Epic’s full-length debut, due out later this year.  -NIN

Celldweller (Position) 1/2

Wow!  It’s nice to see that Klayton (a.k.a. Klay Scott of Circle of Dust) is alive and kickin’.  His latest incarnation is absolutely marvelous.  As a producer, songwriter, performer, Klayton has been associated with a number of artists and projects but Celldweller may very be his claim to fame.  This self-titled offering is an elaborate, production heavy collage of trance, d&b, and heavy industrial that pits darkness against beauty and aggression against sensual passion.  Punctuated with lots of tasty, pulsating beats, this is an album that you can dance to, sing to, and rock out to all in one sitting.  Klayton’s industrial influenced vocals, which alternate between throaty yells and half whispers, mesh and collide with towering walls of guitar, striking melodies, and massive hooks.  Songs like “Switchback” and “The Last Firstborn“ will easily find a home on the airwaves as well as the dance floor.  Other standouts include the emotive “Afraid This Time,“ the haunting “Welcome to the End,” and the Depeche Mode influenced “So Sorry To Say”.  I think it’s safe to say that with Celldweller, Klayton has managed to succeed where Stabbing Westward miserably failed.  -NIN

Closer Than Kin - The Machineries of Breath (Artic Music Group)

I don’t know what costs more, this CD or the price of the bottle of aspirin you’re going to need after the first round.  This actually is a well-crafted piece of goth/punk/metal fusion, but the vocal work set-up makes it very difficult to listen to after about 3 or 4 plays.  A few of the songs are pretty good for long term listen, but on most tracks everyone is yelling and screaming back and forth, which   makes this disc difficult to tolerate.  -Colin Bowel

Cooler Kids – Punk Debutante (DreamWorks) 1/4

Okay, this is the ultimate guilty pleasure album.  On Punk Debutante the cheeky duo (Kaz Gamble (aka DJ Kazimir) and Sisely Treasure) known as Cooler Kids create energetically carefree tunes that call to mind the likes of Deee-Lite, Daft Punk, and Kylie Minogue.  Punk Debutante presents all the best and shiny elements of the ‘70s and ‘80s. This teenie-bopper techno meets disco funk offering is a fun, silly disc supported by serious beats.  Listen to this album when you feel like being ultra girlie or uber campy.  Best track – “All Around The World (Punk Debutante)”.  -NIN  

Cooterfinger - Smells Like Rock 'N' Roll (Illbilly Songs)  1/2

After countless barrages lately of major label cock-drivel, the general public is actually starting to believe that "garage rock" equals bad songwriting.  (It doesn’t? – NIN)  Not so.  I'm of the ilk of remembering bands like The Sonics, The Kinks, and countless others that really embody garage rock.  Basically, these artists barely had 2 nickels to record their music, but they made up for it with amazing songwriting and boundless energy.  Today's scenesters are more interested in whether or not they'll get their fashion spread in Fader than they are in making rock 'n’ roll.  Which is why Cooterfinger refreshed me so much.  This 6 song EP arrived with no photos or artwork.  Just damn music.  The recording sounds shitty, but the band rips thru numbers like "Piss 'N' Moan" and "My Karma's Gonna Find You" like their lives depended on it.  The songs aren't the best in the world, but Cooterfinger can pummel the snot out of any of those wussie bands coming out of either Sweden or New Zealand nowadays.  -Repojay

Defiance - Out of the Ashes (Punk Core Records) 1/2

Look out or get stomped by Defiance’s blitzkrieg attack.  Get out of the way now or be crushed by Defiance’s underbelly assault.  Their politics are right out in front in the lead-off track with the lyrics: “A terrorist attack on the undefeatable nation how many more lives squandered for the sake of God and country.  5000 dead and dying tell me just what the fuck was gained a mighty blow against capitalism or the slaughter of the innocent?”  Follow that with “It’s time to question what you’ve been told because our blind acceptance is what is destroying this world.  Who’s the fucking terrorist?  Is it you or is it me?  Or is it those in power who fuel the capitalist disease?“  I guess I’d call them socialist peace mongers.    Idolizing 1976 England, Defiance is punk-core to the bone.  Prepare to be rocked!  Read more at punkcore.com.  -Brendan McMahon

Dillinger Four – Situationist Comedy (Fat Wreck Chords)  1/2

Situationist Comedy is hard driving rock n roll from D4.  Like you expected anything less?  I’m not hearing much of a departure for them, which is a good thing.  Enjoy killer quick witty songs with titles like “A Floater Left with Pleasure in the Executive Washroom” and “Fired-Side Chat”.  -J

Dressy Bessy - Little Music (Kindercore Records)

This is a poptastic record!  Little Music immediately comes on with “Live to Tell All”.  The song sound like a less fuzzy Breeders with a moody keyboard sound.  It’s cool and sweet.  I also hear heard elements of Belly in this disc, as well as a hefty dose of the Go Go’s and a smidgeon of Voice of the Beehive.  The album is comprised of the bands’ early material as they are in the midst of working on a new full-fledged record.  One point to note is that they have in their ranks a certain John Hill, guitarist from Apples in Stereo. “Gloria Days” is pure ‘60’s pop with more than a little Motown flavor. I like this band, they sing about sunshine and happiness exudes from ever pore.  It’s not something I want to hear every day, but it is a nice way to start a sunny weekend.  Plus, the female voiced Beach Boys style is cool. Track number 7 is a moodier ditty, held together by a fuzzier almost grungy guitar.  The song is called “Fuzzy,” which pretty much sums it up!  If you are hankering for some pop melodies and sugar sweet vocals you have to get your hands on Dressy Bessy’s Little Music.  -Glen

Drunk Horse - Adult Situations (Tee Pee Records)

What hath the world of guitar rock wrought?  (Try saying that 10x’s fast. – NIN)  If it's more crap like Drunk Horse, it's the spew of vile hookers that even got rejected in the red light district in Amsterdam.  No wait, maybe it's not that bad.  But, certainly with a title like Adult Situations and song titles like "Lube Job," I would hope for better lyrics than "I've got the means to fulfill your withered fantasies".  This isn't brain surgery and you certainly can't play like decent musicians, so you might as well emphasize the DRUNK of the moniker and play some sloppy, silly, sophomoric pre-pubescent rock and roll.  You can't con me.  For further emphasis of too much education in a band with "drunk" in their title, please see "The Bitch Is Back", an ode to the classical composer Bach.  I only wish I was kidding.  -Repojay

Elliott - Song In The Air (Revelation records) ½

This is the third album from Louisville’s Elliott.  Someone once told me that a person should be able to sum up a piece of art—be it music, painting, sculpture, or photograph— in one word; however, I think if I tried to sum up this CD in one word it would do the band a great disservice, as I really don’t think such a word exists.  The first song “Land and Water” sets the tone to a ‘T’.  With lyrics like “Reflex of a man, cut off his arms, just to drop all his heartstrings,” this is grandiose poetry we are treating ourselves to.  The album’s textures are lush, with an abundance of strings, haunting moody cellos, and soaring violins.  I wouldn’t say that anything on this disc is instantly accessible, but it’s no less great for that.  Song In The Air is a mature album that reflects the sound of a band becoming adult.  The production (self produced, no less) is very rich and multi layered, and the whole album evokes the feeling of a comfortable dream.  “Believe” is a haunting track.  “Beijing” derives its character from a Radiohead-esque piano melody.  It’s a mournful piece, but if you are mourning for something you’ll find what you need in its seven plus minutes.  The pace changes with the instrumental “Pull Like Drag”.  This song conjures up images of blood coursing through veins with a building urgency with the constant bass being the heartbeat as distorted guitars swirl and soar around it.  Further into the disc we get the huge, building “Away We Drift,” which, in my opinion, has a guitar sound not dissimilar to vintage U2.  Elliott is currently touring with Vendetta Red, which should make for an explosive package. -Glen

E-Town Concrete – The Renaissance (Razor and Tie Records) 1/2

Formed in Elizabeth, New Jersey (a.k.a. E-Town), E-Town Concrete introduces a little flavor into a tired trend.  Bridging together elements of rap metal, hardcore, and hip-hop The Renaissance brims with a passion that reflects the bands love for their art.  The first thing that comes to mind is P.O.D. with a thrash twist, as ferocious metal vocals teeter between hip-hop rhymes.  To be honest, E-town Concrete haven’t reinvented the wheel, they just have a lot of heart.  If you haven’t overdosed on that scene than you might enjoy what E-Town Concrete have to offer.  -NIN