The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide ~ LUXX Underground EP review

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LUXX

UNDERGROUND - A limited edition 6 song EP. Can be considered the 3rd release from New York City's own LUXX. Not a full length LP, but something to sink your teeth into until the new album's completed! Contains "Is It Me"; "Beautiful"; "If I Can Dream There"; "Understand"; "Over For You"; and a LIVE version of "Invade Me" from a gig opening for long-time friends GODSMACK @ the Avalon in Boston. Only one printing, and that's it. A genuine collector's item!

The initial appearance of the CD cover would indicate that this might be a bootleg of them LIVE, or a collection of unreleased gems. With the title being called, "Underground", that's the first thing that comes to mind. The overall packaging of this disc is very simple and precise. Not much in the way of an investment that's for sure but, you can't judge a CD by it's cover can you?

On the cover we see a LIVE shot of lead singer Katrina Chester on stage and she's hot, wet and dripping w/ sweat! Not only that but she's flipping you off w/ both fingers in the air! You go girl! The back of the disc has a recent promo shot and is laid out very well. With band members, Katrina Chester/ Vocals; Ian Hatton/ Guitars. Ian is from England and has played with the Jason Bonham band. Benni Selzer/ Bass and the ass kickin' Dave Silver on Drums! Silver is one of the best drummers I've seen LIVE since Charlie Adams played w/ Yanni's band! The only bad thing is the track listings aren't listed here. They are only listed on the disc itself.

Down to the business at hand. The opener; "Is It Me" is a good, up front, mid-tempo rocker that is still in the same league as the tracks found on their last album. The self released HYDROPONIC. "Beautiful" slows the tempo down a notch to a alterno-pop-y level but not much here in substance. It's an ok track but, when you listen to their last album, you go,"...what the hell?..", but opinons very from listener to listener

The next track, "If I Can Dream There", has serious potential to be a hit single. Musically, the orchestrations and the acoustics fit in quite nicely together. Lyrically at first, Katrina seems to be down on her appearance. "...Sometimes I feel like the ugiest girl in the world." and "If I could be water, and have no color, shape or dreams". A tune about being somewhere else for a moment. A very well written song lyrically and musically. I see this being a hit for sure!

"Understand", is a remixed version of the single from the HYDROPONIC album. Not bad, but misses the crunch of the original. More radio friendly perhaps. Some good production changes from the original.

"Over For You", is another cut from the HYDROPONIC album, but redone more acoustically. It would be a good version on an Unplugged album in the future. It's good that bands like this do different versions of songs for fans and compilations for the rabid collector. Stabbing Westward often did acoustic versions of songs on radio shows and b-sides to show that they weren't just hard core techno shit all the time. They were also musicians.

The last tasty morsel on this disc is the LIVE version of "Invade Me" from their self-titled debut album, LUXX. The track was recorded at The Avalon in Boston opening up for their friends, GODSMACK. Good recording of them LIVE. Can't wait till they eventually release a LIVE album after they get more famous.

A good little companion to to have in your LUXX collection and should be worth something in the near future. In very limited numbers!

ST
3/2002

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