More 'New Music' Reviews
uw-beave!eli
Berlin -- Pleasure Victim (M.A.O.)
Very strong electro-pop, with often hypnotizing female
vocals. For those who heard their single "Metro" (which
is included on the LP), the album is in the same vein.
Toni Basil -- Word of Mouth (Chrysalis)
Sure, "Mickey" is getting ground completely to death, both
on MTV and all the top-40 new wave radio stations... but for
those of us who don't watch MTV, and listen to alternative
radio, it's a good high-school cheer. The rest of the LP
is almost passable (and her cover of David Essex's "Rock On"
has been called laughable).
Dead Kennedys -- Bleed For Me/Life Sentence (Faulty)
Sure, these guys started out by thinking up the most offensive
name they could... one that has since been surpassed. But they
still offer some of the more intelligent hardcore around. And
this time they've included a lyric sheet!
Devo -- Oh, No! It's Devo (Warner Brothers)
They certainly named this album correctly. I was really
intrigued when these guys bounced out of Spudland, with their
message of devolution, and their sound of disappearing guitars.
However, they seem to have gotten as old and repetitive as all
of the bands they claimed to replace.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers -- Long After Dark (Backstreet/MCA)
For those who like Petty (as I do) I think this disc will be
pleasing. For those who don't like him, well I think you get
the message. Nothing especially new sound-wize... except of
course a whole album full of new Petty compositions.
Joe Piscopo -- I Love Rock'N'Roll (Medley) (CBS)
Current, talented, Saturday Night Live star. This disc features
Piscopo's Sinatra imitation on a medley of todays current hits.
If you thought Sid Vicious doing "My Way" was funny, wait until
you hear the tables turned around.
Prince -- 1999 (Warner Brothers)
Don't let your mother catch you listening to this. Actually most
of the lyrics are surprisingly clean. And a few of the tunes are
very catchy dance-funk-soul. A double album that, unfortunately,
once again shows how often doubles could/should be trimmed down
to singles.
Rachel Sweet -- Blame It On Love (CBS)
This one's funny... one day I like it, and the next I swear
I'll never listen to any of her albums except the first. She's
definitely moving away (far, far away) from the quirky little
girl sound that was so prevalent on "Fool Around". The back
cover seems to tell the story... a rather attractive 20-year-old
girl dressed up and posed very vamp-like. She even co-wrote and
co-produced most of the LP.
Holly Beth Vincent -- Holly and the Italians (Epic)
This is another one that took many listenings to grow on me.
The first album (from the then-called 'Holly and the Italians')
was a real disappointment for me, after having heard the single.
But this one is quite another story. Many strong songs, much
more interesting vocals.
Young Executives -- Honey, I'm Home... (Briefcase)
Might as well give the local boys a plug. This is a Seattle
based band that recently put out their own EP... it may or may
not find its way around the country, but it's certainly worth
looking for. Ska influenced R'n'R.
Someone told me recently that this news channel is not the proper one for
posting reviews, and that in fact it is chartered for discussing record
collector-type info (such as 'Where can I find a mint copy of The Beatles
and Frank Ifield for under a dollar?'). Is this true? I was told to send
reviews to net.music, but our mailer doesn't seem to know abou this news
group. If any one knows, please inform me, 'k?
More to follow (unless I am asked to discontinue these activities...).
... uw-beaver!eli
deimos!steve
Here, here to uw-beave!eli.
Keep those reviews coming.
I'd rather read these reviews than in any
newspaper.
Yes, yes, the reviews belong in net.records since
not all records are music, only rock and roll,
but I like it.
mitccc!rpk
should probably goto to net.music. Also, general discussions on groups,
genres, and all that other stuff should go to net.music.
XTC: Beeswax (Virgin) album, British import
Waxworks (Virgin) album, British import
Well, it was inevitable: XTC has collected most (but not all) of its
B-sides of singles, which are just as good as their album material, on the
Beeswax album. Notable: a punchier version of `Heaven is Paved With Broken
Glass'; the sound quality is MUCH better than the singles were (I should know
I have most of them !). Waxworks is a good sampler: it has a shorter version
of `Sgt. Rock.' If you were ever intrigued by `Making Plans for Nigel' or
`Senses Working Overtime,' this is the album for you. I bought the two
shrink-wrapped together: if Virgin/Epic in the U.S. has any sense, they will
at least release Waxworks as a single album.
Thomas Dolby: The Golden Age Of Wireless (Harvest) album
This is sophisticated, pretty, yet passsionate pop for humans. The man
has a command of synthesiser sounds that complements his rather classical
approach to arrangements and song structure. Standouts: the wistful
`Leipzig,' quirky `Urges,' and the charming, nostalgic `Europa and the Pirate
Twins.'
Bill Nelson: The Love That Whirls (Mercury) album, British import
Ex-BeBop Deluxe guitarist makes bouncy, seductive, impressionistic pop
of the post-Bowie school. His guiatar playing is delightfully sinuous (like
Phil Manzanera's); he has a good ear for sound; and the synthesised percussion
clanks funkily along on tehe upbeat tracks. The British version comes with an
interesting, experimental-sounding soundtrack for a stage production of `The
Beaty and the Beast.' TPVC (Jem) carries the record in America.
Bongos: Drums Along The Hudson (PVC) album
`Hoboken's Pride' delights the listener with quirky, folky, jpop that sounds
both familiar and new (well, kinda like an XTC blend, maybe). Their cover of
`Mambo Sun' is a killer. One complaint: the lyrics do get a bit oblique at
times. The boys should be doing some stuff for RCA in the near future.
Bauhaus: Ziggy Stardust/Third Man (Beggars Banquet) single, British import
A side is a semi-chaotic cover of the Bowie tune we all know and love,
with an eerily accurate vocal. The flip is an interesting, dense rendition of
the Eno ttune I didn't know, but will try to like. I'm no big Bauhaus expert, but
this stuff is supposed to be quite different from what they `normally' do.
That's all fer now....
Robert Krajewski UUCP: ...!mitccc!rpk
Arpa: RpK@MC