"Album Reviews"
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Warren Brothers - Cold Cruel World
I had to bribe to publisher of the Renegade ta get this one. What
an album, with great vocal tracks and vocal harmonies. Not newcomers to
Nashville at all. I was sitting about ten feet from these brothers at the
1998 Country Music Awards when they introduced the Musician of the Year
award and performed a live cut of "Guilty" off this album. Cool! Warren
Brothers -- Cold Cruel World.
- Michael Hoadley
Bill Lyerly Band - Railroad Station Blues
Riviere International Records
To use this album’s title as a metaphor, Bill Lyerly’s music boards a train
but never gets too far from the station. His musical calling is comprised
of workmanlike blues sounds, colored with a touch of country. The standout
track here is a duet with Steve Earle on Bob Dylan’s "Hangman," which only
goes to show the difference between what Lyerly does, and what the truly
outstanding contemporary singer/songwriters are up to these days. Lyerly
gets the style right but falls a little short on substance.
- Dan MacIntosh
Davina - Best of Both Worlds
Loud Records
Davina is a vocalist, originally from the Motor City, who carries the current
"diva" torch. With Brandy, Monica, Toni Braxton, and Erykah Badu out there,
it seems a little crowded sometimes. However, this song stylist takes material,
driven by hip-hop beats and jazzy accompaniment, and breathes new life
into a sometimes cliched form. Smooth, sexy, and self-assured, she is definitely
a legitimate talent and one to watch!
- Eric Harabadian
Blue Oyster Cult - Heaven Forbid
Very impressive guitar and keyboard matched with powerful vocals and strong
percussion work. The power rock of B.O.C. shines on this album. The guys
from B.O.C. assured me that no animals were harmed in recording this album.
- Michael Hoadley
NineDollarMelonBaller - I’ll Give You Something to Cry About
Why do bands give pretentious titles to ordinary songs? Beats me. NineDollarMelonBaller
opens this album with a track about lust from a distance and calls it "Fry
the Bastard Tuna." If you can make that connection, then you’re a better
man/woman than me. Only thing worse than nonsensical song titles, though,
are bad puns. Calling a song "Celery Cap" is downright inexcusable. Nevertheless,
these song titles are the only noteworthy aspects about this mediocre semi-grunge-influenced
trio. Read the credits and laugh, but don’t throw down money for this one.
- Dan MacIntosh
Drain S.T.H. - Horror Wrestling
Mercury Records
Heavy metal from Sweden, that’s what’s going on here with this one. This
all-female line-up is playing some very hard and heavy licks throughout
the proceedings here, and they do a slowed down but MEAN version of the
old Motorhead classic "Ace of Spades" here to boot. Give ‘em a hand; hell,
give ‘em both hands!
- The Wild Card
Witness - Love is an Action Word
CGI Records
If there was ever a group that was poised for crossover success, it’s Witness.
These four women, literally, sing like angels, and the mix of ballads and
mid-tempo urban contemporary sounds matches them with the best MTV or BET
has to offer. This ain’t your mama and daddy’s Gospel, honey!
- Eric Harabadian
Chicago Mass Choir - Keep Your Mind On Jesus
CGI Records
You know it is such a beautiful thing to have heard a number of the artists
on this label. They are all excellent, and, you know what, this choir is
no exception! All the soloists are outstanding, the band cooks, and the
production is superb! I wouldn’t even know where to begin in terms of recommending
specific tracks. Suffice to say, if you’re looking for motivation and inspiration
-- with a beat -- search no further, my friend!
- Eric Harabadian
James Hall and Worship and Praise - Live From New York
CGI Records
A nice blend of preaching backed by the choir on this live date from Lincoln
Center in New York. Dr. Kevin Bond is the minister over the festivities
and, man, when this ensemble really opens up, it’s goosebump time, people!
The album possesses an old fashioned churchy feel with a nineties, soulful
sensibility. Highly recommended!
- Eric Harabadian
12RODS - Split Personalities
V2 Records
12RODS calls this release Split Personalities, while as a musical
unit, it avoids having any discernible personality at all. Vocals and music
are primarily mechanic and cold. Singer Ryan Olcott (who calls what he
does "vox," not singing, by the way) has all the passion of a latter-day
Devo vocalist. 12ROD songs are written well, but in a college lit sort
of way. Yet these writings never seem to give much insight into the writers
themselves. Give me a computer with soul, instead.
- Dan MacIntosh
The Notwist - 12
Zero Hour Records
Well here’s a band, from some unknown place, far far away, trying to make
it big in the American Indie Rock scene. The Notwist is a "three-something"
piece band with more stand-in noise makers than actual band members. The
songs were wastefully separated into 2 disks for 11 songs and 3 remixes,
which doesn’t make any sense to me. I’d put all those songs on one
disk and play frisbee with the other. The only songs that showed any real
merit were "My Phrasebook" and "Instr." which illustrated great drumming
techniques with standard dance rhythms. My recommendation: Get rid
of that "Flaming Lips" wannabe singer of yours and strike out as a heavier
act.
- Kevin Hurrell
The Dingees - Armageddon Massive
BEC Recordings
They kick off the disc with a ferocious back-to-back onslaught of old school
punk. But, just as quickly, they follow that up with a slice of bop-along
ska. Apparently they hail from Orange County, CA, but they sound straight
out of London. Fans of the Specials, the Clash, Madness, and, more recently,
Rancid will dig their crazy "riddims."
- Eric Harabadian
Wendy Carlos - Tales of Heaven and Hell
East Side Digital
Word has it Wendy Carlos used to be a man and composed such well-known
soundtracks as the music for A Clockwork Orange under that male
name. Now as a woman, she’s put together an opus of Biblical proportions.
Composed electronically, and with the help of a few human voices, Carlos
calls these sounds "scary material." She warns: "Use caution when listening
alone or in the dark." She may call this music scary, but in actuality,
it’s all quite beautiful.
- Dan MacIntosh
Jupiter Coyote - Here Be Dragons
Autonomous/Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner is usually associated with the Heaviest of Metal (i.e. Sepultura,
Type O Negative) but has branched out to send us a little taste of Americana
in Jupiter Coyote. Funky backbeats and acoustic guitars echo The Dave Matthews
Band, but Here Be Dragons is no mere carbon copy. Pure wheat field
rock throughout, this Georgia band demonstrates pro songwriting and even
have small explanations as to when, why and where each song was written.
("I Know Nothing" -- Written at Phil Forchelli's... Too much wine. too
much food, too much anthropology.) Great musicianship throughout, this
CD could be huge if pushed into the mainstream. Mainstream Rock Radio,
are you listening?
- Brendan Hagin
Five-Eight - Gasolina
Velvel Records
What can I say about this band Five-Eight? I’ve been searching for a 4-chord
band lately and couldn’t find one until the album Gasolina blessed
my doorstep. As a technical band... no. Flipping from song to song,
you begin to notice that the majority of them start with very similar chord
patterns straying not too far from the norms in today's sickening pop/rock
scene. As a pop rock teenage icon band... could very well happen.
The song "Doubter" is a good example of creative musical thought with a
catchy groove. As an addition to my CD collection... definitely not.
It will go in the box with my old Soul Asylum and Green Day tapes.
- Kevin Hurrell
RAW Kinder - RAW Kinder EP
Home Office Records
It was a disappointment to receive an album on a label called HO (Home
Office Records), and not also get a Top Ten List along with it. Probably
a case of too many late nights, and too much exposure to David Letterman.
RAW Kinder sounds like the perfect album for anybody who misses the music
of either Ricki Lee Jones or Edie Brickell. Their sound is piloted by Renee
Annabel Wilson’s off kilter street vamps, put to spacey jams. What it is
is what it is.
- Dan MacIntosh
G.M.W.A. - Live (Thirty Years in the Spirit)
CGI Records
The Gospel Music Workshop of America has been in existence since 1968 and,
in that time, has been a springboard and training ground for contemporary
Gospel stars like Kirk Franklin and John P. Kee, among many others. Before
what sounds like a full house at the Cincinnati Convention Center, the
G.M.W.A. Mass Choir showcases superstar vocal soloists and instrumentalists
of tomorrow to great effect. Here’s to another thirty!
- Eric Harabadian
Freddy Frogs - At My Front Door
Off the Wall Records, 44 Ormonde Blvd., Valley Stream, NY 11580
New York native Freddy Frogs has re-released his independent album on CD
format. Originally, it was available on vinyl in the late seventies/early
eighties. The liner notes state his hope for the music to reach a modern
audience. Well, with swing and rockabilly in big demand, he might just
accomplish that dream. Frogs rocks out with a vintage sound that would
do Elvis proud. And his cover of Clarence "Frogman" Henry’s "Ain’t Got
No Home" is dynamite. Cool, Daddyo’!
- Eric Harabadian
Cutters - Sonic Wave Love
CMC International Records
Cutters mixes in enough electric guitar elements to keep its music rock,
yet throws in a healthy portion of synth sounds, which also gives it some
techno spice. Most importantly, though, this group knows how to write intriguing
songs. "Genie," for example, might be a metaphor for alcoholism with lines
like "Genie can’t stay sober/Living in her bottle." Or it could simply
be a meditation upon trying to make dreams come true. Bottom line: Cutters
makes the critical cut.
- Dan MacIntosh
L.A. Mass Choir - Back to the Drawing Board
CGI Records
This is a live album recorded recently at the New Testament Church of Christ
Holiness in Los Angeles, and it is one powerful statement, indeed! A nice
blend of soulful ballads, bluesy funk, and poppy jazz that, quite honestly,
would fare very well on smooth jazz or urban contemporary radio. The L.A.
Mass Choir, given half a chance, could bring Gospel to a whole new audience.
Highly recommended!
- Eric Harabadian
NOTE: Due to space constraints, the following reviews were not included
in the print edition of Geoff Wilbur's Renegade Newsletter. These
reviews are only available here in the online edition.
The Seymores - 1,000lb. Grr'lla
Pitch-a-Tent Records, P.O. Box 665, Athens, GA 30603
Stunning lyrics, mesmerizing guitars, and a few catchy tunes make up the
majority of this album. With sounds ranging from melancholy, "down on my
luck," to megacrunch, "jump around," 1,000lb. Grr'lla has "big hit"
written all over it. (Actually, it has a big bear on the cover and disc.)
Whether gently picking out a melody or blending distorted rhythm and pounding
bass, the Seymores make it great. To quote Dave Lowery of Cracker, who
produced this record, "The Seymores play Rock Music." Do you need a better
reason to listen? Look for their full length album this spring.
- Tyler Moore
Salt of the Earth - Happy Hour
CGI Records
>From the opening track, "Glad About It," you can’t help but get caught
up in their musical rapture. As the choir riffs in the background and the
band lays down a funky vibe, you soon realize this group has more in common
with "One Nation Under a Groove" than "Nearer My God to Thee." Other standouts
include "I Feel a Praise Comin’ On," "O Give Thanx," and "Happy With Jesus."
The entire album is outstanding, and it would be nice to see this group
gain new notoriety with their reverent, uplifting, and totally hip Gospel
sound!
- Eric Harabadian
Synergy - Metropolitan Suite
Chronicles Records
"Metropolitan Suite" is supposedly the tale of one city. Synth man Larry
Fast documents the life of a fictitious metropolis by breaking its existence
down into 9 recorded parts. Track three is called "City Goes To War," which
leads inevitably to track five, "The End Of An Error." Apparently, Fast
was inspired by the architecture of New York for this work. I don’t know
about you, but I think "New York, New York" by Old Blue Eyes said all that
needs to be said about the city that never sleeps-and without even one
synthesizer within earshot.
- Dan MacIntosh
Synergy - The Jupiter Menace original motion picture soundtrack
Chronicles Records
A movie title like The Jupiter Menace just screams straight to cable.
One pictures a troubled mission to that far off planet, where infighting
among the crew and spats with aliens from the outside attempt to thwart
this earth-saving mission. The musical score by Synergy, which is really
a group name for the man Larry Fast, conjures up long pans of inter-planetary
interactions. Or something like that.
- Dan MacIntosh
Slaughter - Eternal Live
CMC International Records
The album, recorded live in Mexico last year, is as much a tribute to their
late guitarist Tim Kelly as it is a testament to their staying power as
a band. A lot of their hits are here, including the smash "Up All Night."
Notably, Mark Slaughter, in particular, has never been in better voice.
This is a must for any fan and a prime sampler for the uninitiated.
- Eric Harabadian
Uncle Otto - Men Who Smoke
Nasty Branch Records
These LA dudes seem to like smoking herb, and their music brings to mind
the exploits of Cheech and Chong if they were into Screaming Trees and
Chainsaw Kittens. Good, solid power-pop with a punk edge, Uncle Otto
shows some great talent for catchy tunes with the guy-loses-girl "In My
Bones," all the while showing some humor in the lyrics. "Susan" could be
the next big hit on modern radio, telling the tale of a few women and their
certain "qualities". The right video and label could launch the tune into
MTV’s Buzz Bin. Ditto track number eight, "If I Sang To You In French,"
although it’s a much quieter number. Vocalist Greg Langston has a perfect
voice for the music, and wields a good axe, playing subtle riffs and minimal
filler. The rest of the band, drummer Derek Stewart and bassist Rick Fowler,
do a great job, laying down a solid rhythm section that accomplishes it’s
task. One question for the band though: Where in the hell did you find
that cool statue of the smoke tray guy?
- Brendan Hagin
Vivian Quinn Sayles - Live
Delish Records
Recorded at a jazz club in Oakland, CA six years ago, pianist Sayles is
joined by the Michael Smolens Sextet, plus four. This is a very swinging
engagement, as the band sinks its teeth into Sayles’ neo-bop originals
such as "Slow Livin’," "Two Brewskies, Please," and "To Romance." Vivian’s
piano style evokes a little Thelonius Monk one minute, perhaps some Bill
Evans the next, weaving it all together into a pastiche which is colorful,
expressive, and serene. The addition of violin and viola along with hammered
dulcimer and Celtic harp bring a unique neo-classical and British Isles
flair to this live date.
- Eric Harabadian
Daryl Coley - Live In Oakland -- Home Again
Verity Records
Oakland holds a special place in my heart, not only because of my beloved
Oakland Raiders and Oakland Athletics, but because I have family history
there. My father was born and raised there and my wife and I spent
two years living on one of the busiest streets in town. So when I listen
to Daryl Coley's homecoming Gospel CD, it brings me back to my hometown,
even though I didn't attend church every Sunday. Highly professional and
tight as a torqued-out bolt, this release showcases some extreme gospel,
complete with "I've seen the light" vocal pyrotechnics. A few tunes hit
that Adult Contemporary style, but still tell the tale of cleaner living
and a pure heart. My favorite track is "I Will Sing Glory," bringing to
mind Stevie Wonder in a World Beat band. Bring it on home baby!
- Brendan Hagin