REKKID REVIEWS para issue numero UNO
phat ass rekkid reviews para yo' ass
here's the skinny on what's PHAT.
- This is the music review section. All music is reviewed by a group of highly skilled monkeys that we get on loan for the weekend from the zoo. We make them read old issues of SPIN and learn to review records like the college rockers like it. It is not our fault that the monkeys sometimes don't like the music. However, we try to make sure they don't just type gibberish. And if they do, they are scolded seriously and their banana priveledges are taken away for at least three weeks. So, that said, ON WITH THE REVIEWS! Oh, yeah...label addresses are on a separate page (if you are concerned with ordering stuff, which you should be). Send the monkeys crap to review, please. Send them 7"s, CD's, LP's and tapes. Also, send them neat stuff to review, like model rockets or your grandma's crocheting patterns or whatever. Thanks for reading.
SEVEN INCH REVIEWS
THE GET UP KIDS--"shorty" b/w "the breathing method" (HUEY PROUDHON PRODUCTIONS)
The Get Up Kids wear their influences on their sleeves...but they take them and twist them into something that seems to be refreshingly their own. Emo, pop, punk, and a touch of hardcore blend into this release. There's nothing stale about the Get Up Kids. Both songs have flares of emotion, and blend those fireworks with quieter moments of melodic guitar parts.
PURPLE IVY SHADOWS--"feeble" b/w "sustance" (ZERO HOUR)
It kinda ticks me off when bands put labels on their 7", but don't tell you which song is which. I mean, it's not hard to guess when they sing the title of the song, but they don't always do that. "Sustance" is a sorta country rock number. The lyrics are pretty cool, and the music is pretty good, but what's up with the singer? I think I sound like that when I'm making fun of head colds and stuff, but this is sorta ridiculous. I love the music, but shoot the singer. A dolphin could do a better job. "Feeble" has a really pretty guitar tone, and the vocals seem a bit better placed here, but they are still warbly.
THE MULTIPLE CAT--"the new marcus aurelius" b/w "red volvo dl wagon" (ZERO HOUR)
The first cut makes me want to get up and dance. When I say dance, I mean shake my ass. If I were in a club and they played this, I'd jump around and pogo a bunch. It starts out all funky, and then proceeds to soudn like Jellyfish, which is good in my book. The second cut starts out sounding like it's gonna be a surf tune, but turns into a strange, dischordant pop tune. It kinda has that "hey, it's sorta lackadaisical, but we really don't care, we're having fun" feel to it, but it seems genuine. That's good in my book, too.
VARNALINE--"dance like we used to" b/w "sneer society" (ZERO HOUR)
This is a definite departure from their "MAN OF SIN" release. "Dance" rocks with a wonderful emotional fury. I feel bad comparing them to Everclear, but it kinda sounds like them, except every damn lyric isn't about heroin. It's really strange to hear this band rock and get noisy, when the rocking/noise was so restrained on the CD. The second side, an acoustic ditty, sounds like it was recorded in a busy factory or on an airport runway. It's good, but I just think sometimes low-fi goes a bit too far.
LOCAL (Lawrence, Kansas) DEMOS
PROUDENTALL--"s/t" demo
These guys rock hard-core. I usually hate "rock" music, but these guys caught my attention, not just because I've known Matt (vox/guitar) for about 5 years. They show a great deal of sensitivity to their music, maintaining intensity even in the quiet sections which is unusual for most guitar driven bands=THEY DON'T SUCK. The two guitars compliment each other well and the bassist and drummer are tight. Great songs about relationships and being frustrated and how sh*tty life can be, but in a way that doesn't make me want to run screaming. Hard to dance to, but it makes you feel like there's at least four other guys who know what you mean when you ramble on about your problems. Find it. Get it.
(reviewed by Mike Walker, trombonist of the NORMAN 360)
THE NORMAN 360--"s/t" demo
Dick Van Patten's worst nightmare incarnate in the form of a harmless group of skankin' youths. Nine members, nine times the fun. A stage that can hold them would be priveledged to have them. "Sunshine" and "Put A Little Laughter" are two joyous tracks from this ten song "demo". While definitely a ska band, "Norman's" music exhibits a "late night swing factor", anchored by a four-piece horn section, and all-around charm equal only to your dad in his lawn mowing shorts. (reviewed by Matt Dunehoo, geetarist/singer for PROUDENTALL)
OCTAVIA--"s/t" demo
Drink a 12 pack of Jolt, down all the blue Pixie Stix, and jump up and down on your bed really fast. If you were a demo, you would be Octavia's first release. Seven tracks of fuzzed out frenzy from a three-piece that's always all out. Standouts "Nay, A Champion" and "Source 4's" demonstrate a style based on fluent and intricate songwriting, and are generally not for the elderly or weak of heart. (Contact Octavia, 1212 Louisiana #4, Lawrence, KS 66044) (reviewed by Matt Dunehoo)
THE GUENNYEARS--"s/t" demo
Remember that episode of Highway To Heaven with "Willie The Waver"? I felt good. The Guennyears are Willie the Waver minus Micheal Landon, plus great vocals over music that is poignant and experimental yet upbeat and listener-friendly. Catch the Guennyears live and be sure to stand up front. (reviewed by Matt Dunehoo)
FULL LENGHTH REVIEWS
KILL CREEK--"proving winter cruel" (Mammoth)
This is good stuff. The first two Kill Creek releases knocked me on my butt, in a good way. They were rocking blasts of rowdy pop noise. This is a bit of a departure from their previous formula. The tempos are a bit slower, the melodies are a bit more lush, the songwriting is still just as great as it was before. This album proves Kill Creek to be a versitile, talented band that shouldn't be pigeonholed at all. There are still some patented KC rockers on here, bu they also slow it down some, and definitely prove themselves confortable with new territory. I love these guys to death, and I can tell you that Kill Creek is a band taht you should take notice of.
JEREMY ENIGK--"return of the frog queen" (SUB POP)
Sunny Day Real Estate was a great band, and will get mentioned in every review of this CD, so I might as well make it the first 4 words of this review. There. I said it. This guy used to be the lead singer of that band, until they broke up. Now two of the fellers in that and are in the FOO FIGHTERS and are worshipped by the Mallternative Nation (TM). Jeremy is making beautiful music for those who care. This CD is such a departure from his former band. Lush background instrumentals combine with his beautiful voice to create a nice listening scenerio. Emotion is the one predominant thing that comes to mind when listening to this release. Jeremy has such a way of making you understand what his point is just by the tone of his voice. This CD could make this man as worshipped as someone like Tori Amos. If it will remains to be seen. You will like it. Your parents will like it. Your boyfriend/girlfriend will like it. Your pets will like it. You will enjoy life more by listening to this, I would guess. I know I do.
REVIEW LINKAGE
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