Bite Me! CD Reviews S - Z
Single Frame – Wetheads Come Running
(Volcom Entertainment)
3/4
I can see how the dork-music crowd and critics would dig Single Frame. They mix up every genre into their brand of indy-rock. Components borrowed from the 60’s, new wave, organs, fuzz, indy branded pop-rock -- it’s all in their latest enhanced-CD release Wetheads Come Running. Single Frame comes across to me like a beatnik in a way – they are like the Sonic Youth of Austin. There’s a lot of people who want to be Sonic Youth in Austin. That could be a good thing I guess. It just falls flat to me because I don’t get the joke. And I’m sure there’s a joke in here somewhere that I’m just too stupid to realize is there. Too smart for me, Single Frame has to be an acquired taste. This is an enhanced CD, I just haven’t spoken about it because the videos didn’t work on my laptop, and the rest of the content was fairly unnecessary and uninteresting to me. –J
Skinny Puppy – The Greater Wrong of the Right (SPV)
3/4
Many thought this day would never come, but after eight long years, Skinny Puppy is back! The Greater Wrong of the Right is the band’s first release without Dave Ogilvie, but it is a record that he would be proud off. Lush and ominous, this album is distinctly Skinny Puppy. cEvin Key has branched out as the album’s stunning structure is built upon revolving synths, samples, pulsating beats, and throbbing electronics. Ogre’s voice is solid and his strength is best displayed on “Use Less”. The freaky vocal manipulation on “Ghostman” is reminiscent of days past. “I’mmortal” is a melodically driven piece and the smokin' hot “Pro-test” is edgy and pumpin’. Equally enjoyable are the trip-hop beats of “NeuWorld” and the exhilarating edge of “Past Present”. Don’t fear Skinny Puppy fans, The Greater Wrong of Right is everything you’d expect and more. -NIN
The Skulls - Night Of The Living Skulls
(Finger Records)
In case you haven't heard of this band, which is all probable, these guys were presumably a third-tier LA punk band from the 70s who got left behind as bands like Black Flag and X came to define the scene. Three years ago they got back together, and this is a live disc from one of their L.A. reunion shows. Now, being from L.A., I can honestly say that this is about as good of a crowd as the band's ever gonna get. That doesn't make it worthwhile unless you were there. Personally, there's so many other original LA punk bands that I need to make room for before I delve into the Skulls. If you really want to dive into it, Night Of The Living Skulls is also available with a DVD. -Repojay
Soulfly – Prophecy (RoadRunner)
1/2
Listening to a Soulfly album is like unwrapping a gift - - you never know what's inside until you play it. Sure, the core concepts are the same, but one can always count on Max to bring something new to the mix. And, he did exactly that with the group's fourth release. Prophecy is a sonic tapestry that takes the listener on a sonic journey, which is more adventurous than past Soulfly offerings. As tradition dictates, Soulfly features a new lineup and with a new lineup comes fresh ideas. The album starts off strong with the pulverizing double bass and razor sharp stone carved riffs of the title track. The next couple of tunes follow a similar format. It's not until we get to the spiritually heavy epic, "I Believe" that the experimental and world music vibes start to kick in. There's some tripped out shit going on with the guitars in "Defeat U" and the sheer urgency of "Execution Style" is hard to ignore. A sexy flamenco flourish colors "Soulfly IV," and the bands rendition of Helmet's "In the Meantime" is more of a homage than a cover. Prophecy is marked by lots of vibrant, cultural accents. It's ferocious yet culturally stimulating. -NIN
Snow Patrol
- Final Straw (Jeepster
Records/Universal)
Gawd. It's another album about how some sappy guy screwed up his already
dysfunctional relationship. Well boo-fucking-hoo matey. There are some
things worse than wallowing in your own stupidity - like wallowing in
someone else's. That's why Final Straw is so remarkable. You're knee-deep
in ultra-sad Gary Lightbody's super sucking love life-he should consider
getting an 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here' sign over his bedroom
door-but it bears wonderful fruit. You want him to make further bumbling
foolish man mistakes to gain more fodder for his achingly gorgeous hand
wringing since Lightbody's penance is our gift. The outcome is Snow Patrol's
most direct and aggressive album yet, a clear and decisive bid for the
kind of wide mainstream appeal enjoyed by the Coldplay's of the world.
Listeners are primed for a grandiose moment early on, as Lightbody lays
the lyrical groundwork with the toe-tapping "How to Be Dead,"
which traces the snaking lines of one half of an argument from hesitancy
("Please don't go crazy if I tell you the truth") through resolve
("Please keep your hands down and stop raising your voice")
and frustration ("You've not heard a single word I have said / Oh
my God"). Applause and feel-good yeah yeah yeahing is in total contradiction
to the lamenting frustration of someone proving their love by standing
in a rain-drenched t-shirt (which totally reminds me of a John Cusak movie)
on "Tiny Little Fractures"; the yippy drum rolls presumably
representing the voice of whomever is on the receiving end of this outburst.
Finally, the raw tenderness of "Run" should not be listened
to in public - unless PDS's (public displays of sensitivity) in front
of friends or fellow commuters is not a concern. What is most endearing
about this work is its universality. The drama, the shitty relationship,
the compromises, the cross-purpose communication and utter helplessness
one feels in the twilight moments of love's demise are all represented
here. The fact that the music, vocals, and melodies are stunning is just
icing on the cake - a cake that is crumbling before your eyes. -R-Lo
SpeedDealer
- Burned Alive (Radical Records)
1/2
This is the way live thrash-punk-metal should be. 17 blistering sonic attacks in under 45 minutes that just doesn't let up. This live recording, from CBGB's in NYC last year, lives up to the band's live reputation. If you've ever been to CB's, or even heard shows recorded there, you know that the quality often leaves a lot to be desired on record. For the first time I can recall, this is a record that truly encapsulates the CB's live experience. I can feel the sweat dripping off the walls as a crowded mosh pit in front of the stage throbs to every note played by this full-on energized group. This is the closest thing you can get to a great live album - with no BS and all rawk. -Repojay
The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs – Greetings From Gainesville (Triple
X)
3/4
The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs may just be a memory, but their memory burns bright in Greetings From Gainesville. The punk revivalists bid farewell with this fiery offering. The album is an amalgam of brash punk intensity fused with high-energy rock ‘n’ roll sported by rebellious riffs and raucous screams. Frank & Art are such guitar gods…just listen to them shred on “Destination Zero” and “Born Leader”. Other standouts include, but are not limited to, the Beatle-esque “Good Morning,” the soulful “Preach,” and the raucous “Strangled By Love”. Greetings From Gainesville ends with the appropriate and unforgettable “Kiss Me Twice Goodnight”. Thank you Cheetahs for leaving us with a great disc that brings forth the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. This is the stuff that legends are made from. -NIN
Thursday – War All The Time (Island)
1/4
War All The Time is another powerfully moving album from the soul-baring post-hardcore quartet known as Thursday. The sad thing is, I feel like I reviewed this record before. Maybe it’s because I’ve heard “Signals Over the Air” so many times on the radio that this album is so familiar, or maybe it is just the warmness that spawns recognition. War All The Time, Thursday’s Island records debut, is a little more polished than what I’m used to hearing from the group. In fact, the slick production gives the album sort of a homogenized feel. However, the band’s earnestness is admirable. This earnestness is especially evident in the delicate piano melodies of the melancholy “This Song Brought To You By A Falling Bomb.” The title track is a real tearjerker. However, the angst driven “M. Shepard” will pull you out of the funk. Thursday’s startling dynamic shifts and hurtling minor-chord choruses serve to enhance the album’s character and give it its appeal. -NIN
Tweaker – 2A.M. Wakeup Call (iMusic/Waxploitation)
1/2
When it comes to making music, Chris Vrenna always has a few tricks up his sleeve. Currently, his musical visions have manifested in the form of Tweaker – an alternative pop-rock electronica project. Vrenna construed his current masterpiece of musical tones and textures with the aid of Clint Walsh (Jack Off Jill). Focusing more on traditional instrumentation than blippy electronic beats, Vrenna’s sophomore release is more organic in nature that its predecessor. Guest vocalists shake things up with their own unique interpretations of Vrenna’s insomnia inspired compositions. One of which is Robert Smith, whose sexy croon accentuates the sultry “Truth Is”. Johnny Marr isn’t singing, but his signature strumming adds the right spark to “The House I Grew Up In.” The crackling ambience of “Ruby” (featuring Will Oldham) is a faint reminder of the NIN days. The delicate piano interlude and lush textures of “Crude Sunlight,” with Jennifer Charles, are soothing and relaxing. Equally enjoyable are the quirky accents and alt-rock edge of “It’s Still Happening” and the punk angst of “Sleepwalking Away”. Between vocal cuts, Vrenna and Walsh craft moody instrumentals to keep the album’s ambience on track. All in all, 2 A.M. Wakeup Call is definitely a late night record. It’s not recommended for mass consumptions; however, it should be enjoyed like a fine wine. -NIN
Two Gallants – The Throes
(Alive Records)
½
There has to be a White Stripes comparison in this review of Two Gallants. They have so much in common. First off, there are 2 of them, one plays guitar (and everything else) the other does drums and background vocals. Both bands are very roots oriented: White Stripes with garage, punk, blues, and bluegrass – Two Gallants with garage, punk, folk, and bluegrass. The word “folk” here makes all the difference. Two Gallants are channeling 60’s rock/folk at times, with a Johnny Cash edge of bitterness, and a definite punk attitude (the Man in Black had this as his second trademark! As punk as it gets…) Two Gallants are good at their truly alt-country trade, and can only get better if their youth doesn’t take advantage of them. -J
The Vacation – They Were The Sons
(Fierce Panda Records)
3/4
A guy at The Key Club turned me on to The Vacation over a year ago. “Check out my friend’s band,” he said, “They’re cool.” And, he was right. At the time the band was called The Sons, but The Vacation is actually a more fitting name for this nothing-but-a-good-time rock ‘n’ roll band. “Make Up Your Mind” is a great high-energy rocker reminiscent of The Street Walkin’ Cheetahs, and the up-beat toe-tappin’ rhythms of “No-Hard Feelings” are ultra catchy. Do yourself a favor and give these guys a spin. -NIN
The Vandals – Hollywood Potato Chip (Kung Fu Records)
3/4
The Vandals’ latest release, Hollywood Potato Chip, took a few listens to grow on me. But once it did, I was hooked. The first thing that caught my attention was the group’s interesting cover of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.” In fact, it is quite catchy, but then again, catchy is The Vandals’ middle name. I’m also sure that Freddy Mercury would much rather have Dave Quackenbush sing one of his songs as opposed to William Hung. (What da fuck is up with that?) Hollywood Potato Chip, the band’s 12th studio album, also features a few more mosh pit inducing tunes than usual, such as “Be a Good Robot,” and “Dig a Hole”. “My Neck, My Back” is the quintessential L.A. anthem, as Los Angeles is home to many lawsuit happy people. Hollywood Potato Chip is also chock full of the band’s trademark sardonic wit and strong melodies, which ring loud and clear in “Designed by Satan,” and “Christian or Canadian”. Ah yes, The Vandals still have it. -NIN
The Vandals - The Show Must Go Off – Vandals: Live at the House of
Blues (Kung Fu Records)
What you have here my friends is a great live CD of one of the best bands to see in a live setting. The Vandals have been entertaining Southern California for many, many years, and what a better way to celebrate their legacy than with the release of their December 2003 show at The House of Blues, Anaheim. The band’s enthusiastic set includes hits from their last release, fan favorites, and live rarities. Each track is played with the same energy and camaraderie that the Vandals have displayed for the past two decades. Vandals Live at the House of Blues is packaged as a CD with a free DVD or as a DVD with a free CD (depending on which you choose to buy). The live DVD captures the show with eight different angles and comes with the Josh Freese Cam, which basically allows you to watch Josh’s every move throughout the set. How fuckin’ cool is that? Leave it to The Vandals & Kung Fu to raise the standards yet again. Oi to the world baby! -NIN
Various
Artists - Bring You To Your Knees: A Tribute To Guns & Roses
(Law Of Inertia)
If by calling this album "tribute", you think the word means butchering the band's songs to the point of rendering them mostly unrecognizable (save for the occasional riff), then this record is for you. If by calling this album "tribute", you think the word means not being enough of a fan to even spell the band's name correctly (it's Guns N' Roses, guys), then this record is for you. If by calling this album "tribute", you think the word means steal the band's songs and not pay for them, as there are no writing credits anywhere in the artwork, then this record is for you. -Repojay
Various Artists - Evil
Lives: A True Metal Tribute To Black Sabbath
(Magick
Records)
The subtext of this record being a "true metal tribute to Black Sabbath" suggests that tributes to the band before this have not been. What were they then? I don't recall the pop Sabbath tribute or the Ozzy Klezmer experience. They haven't even been over sampled by Puffy, for hell's sake. Regardless, with bands like Iced Earth and Jag Panzer, this is pretty close to true metal. Although, Vince Neil needed to add Dokken guitarist George Lynch to make his cover of "Paranoid" remotely metal. Yet, where are the Swedish bands? Instead we get bands from Pittsburgh and Virginia. Perhaps the true fault of this record is that it's largely bland and offers no reason other than the band gets to say "We Heart Sabbath" but who doesn't say that in this realm? It may be true metal, but it's also mostly truly boring. -Repojay
Various – Graver’s Paradise: A Compilation of Gothic Dance Floor Tracks
(Cleopatra)
3/4
I have to give props to Cleopatra Records because they always manage to release some pretty kick ass compilations, and Graver’s Paradise is no exception. Graver’s Paradise features 13 smokin’ hot electronic delicacies that will have the dance floor a rockin’. Hell, even the Leatherstrip mix of Gary Numan’s “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” got me to bust a move. There really isn’t a dull moment to be found, which is why this disc is great for working out, cranking in your car, or blasting at your next party. Standouts: “Dr. Online” (Zeromancer), “Coma White” (Apoptygma Berserk), “Sexbeat” (Fear Cult), “Blush” (Razed In Black), and “Xcess” (Slick Idiot). -NIN
Vice Dolls - Die Trying
(Crosscheck Records)
1/2
In the emo/screamo world, there's a very noticeable absence of women. Is this to say that most people think that only men can be punk and sensitive? It's with this attitude that Carrie Nance, the lead singer of Vice Dolls, becomes so refreshing. Her unique, screeching vocals take a second to adjust to, but after listening you actually enjoy something this refreshing. Lyrically, she's someone who has thrown in just about everything that could influence her from the last decade, so Riot Grrl toughness collides with Emo sensitivity and straight-up punk edginess. The band itself is adequate, but the songwriting and Carrie's voice make this something a bit more worth checking out. -Repojay
Paul Westerberg - Come Feel Me
Tremble (Vagrant Records)
Paul Westerberg is one of the best songwriters and worst drummers of his generation. Being a drummer and huge music fan, it pains me to hear such great songs almost ruined - certainly limited by Westerberg’s drumming. Westerberg again played all the instruments on Come Feel Me Tremble. As usual, the songs are beautiful, melodic, and heartbreaking, all the while being regularly and utterly sloppy. Why didn’t he spend a few bucks to hire drummer Kenny Aronoff (his former Mat’s mate), Chris Mars, or fly me in to Minneapolis for the weekend? I won’t tell people where the shut-in lives. That said, “Crackle & Drag” (original and alt take) both leap out of the speakers and certainly hold their weight against any of the many classic songs he has ever written. Additionally, “Dirty Diesel,” “Hillbilly Junk,” and “What a Day (for a night)” all reflect Westerberg’s mastery of song writing. -Brendan McMahon