independent music reviews #12
SMI...@yvax.byu.edu
Lida Husik / Beamont Hannant
Integration (A.T.O.I. Seattle)
My Brightest Summer (zine)
"Wecome to Altamont Speedway!!" (Go-Kart compilation 7")
Why Popstars Can't Dance (Slumberland compilation)
On the whole, these are the shortest reviews I've done in imr. So, if you
have any questions about these recordings, feel free to contact me by
e-mail at: smi...@yvax.byu.edu
LIDA HUSIK / BEAMONT HANNANT: Evening at the Grange (CD-ep)
Lida Husik is known for her rock-oriented music, while Beaumont Hannant is
credited with several electronic releases on the GPR label. Coming from
different musical worlds these five songs merge Lida's ethereal voice,
e-bow, and guitar to Beamont's electronic textures. "Promenade" is the
type of song that is so lovely it could have been the only song on the
disc and it would have still been well worth the purchase price.
"Textured" is also a strong track and leans more towards the electronic
realm of Hannant's output. "Gregory Peck" is a simple vocal and keyboard
song, while "Starburst 7" is backed by a solid hip-hop beat. Based on this
ep there should be much anticipation for the full-length collaboration
betwween these two artists that will be released sometime in '95.
(ASTRALWERKS, 114 W 26TH ST., 11TH FL) <astra...@cyberden.com>
INTEGRATION (A.T.O.I. SEATTLE): Integration (12")
12 minutes of ambience and breakbeats alternate with great effect on this
self-titled 12". Integration consists of Nathan David, Michael Manahan,
and Matthew Corwin, while Martin Bond and Seofon (A.T.O.I. San Francisco)
provide a remix. Both mixes contain the same beat pattern that drives the
dancefloor into a relaxed, yet energetic mode. The original mix is
slightly more sectional, beginning and ending with definite moments of
ambient bliss. The remix allows the materials to be transformed and
unified to a greater degree. This record hopefully won't be the last we
see of Integration, who are bringing together several sounds into a
cohesive unit. (VISIBLE, 2443 FILLMORE STREET NO 336, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
94115)
MY BRIGHTEST SUMMER: Issue #2
I love this 'zine. It has a personal feel to it, yet it still contains
high quality writing. The focus of this 'zine is indie rock, and Walt has
managed to get interviews with Versus, Hem, Rocketship, and Tsunami. He
also writes about his experiences at the Merge 5th Anniversary Festival
and the Indie Rock Flea Market. For those of us who never quite make it
out east where the indie world is flourishing, reading Walt's eyewitness
accounts makes one feel a part of what's going on. There's also a section
in this issue that lists what various people listen to when they are
depressed. Last of all there are some reviews of albums and 7"s that
Walt's been listening to lately. This is a true 'zine of the highest
caliber, and the best part is that it's free. Just send Walt a note and
he'll get a copy to you. (985 PROVIDENCE SQ. #209, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
23464-4301) <wbv...@oduvm.cc.odu.edu>
"WELCOME TO ALTAMONT SPEEDWAY!!" (7")
Alright, Berserk's "My Love Is So Big" is perhaps the most addictive song
I've heard in the last year. Another case in the continuing saga
of..."you should buy this record for this song alone." Following Berserk
is The Sea Monkeys, who deliver the type of punk song that I thought they
had stopped making - fast, hyper, and around a minute in length. The
b-side continues with a decent tune from The Yahootee Mormons, called "The
Ballad of Woody and Soon Yi", which is humorous and manages to make
reference to an overplayed song from the 60's. The last song is
relatively lame, so I won't ruin your entertainment by giving away any of
the details. (GO-KART, 222 THOMPSON STREET #7, NEW YORK, NY 10012)
<greg...@panix.com)
WHY POPSTARS CAN'T DANCE: Slumberland Compilation (CD)
This is one of those compilations that should sell itself just from the
list of groups who are included on it. Most of the tracks are previously
unreleased, while others, such as Stereolabs's "John Cage Bubblegum" (one
of my favorites), were originally released on vinyl singles. In any
event, _Why Popstars Can't Dance_ is an excellent argument for indie music
as a true force that should be recognized and possibly even worshipped.
Sacramento's Rocketship come though with "Your New Boyfriend", which is a
genuine indie-pop gem. They follow this with "Like a Dream", which takes
on a moody atmosphere. Boyracer contribute the acoustic "Right Back Where
I Started" and another track that's a little noisier. Jupiter Sun, The
Ropers, HoneyBunch, and The Artisans all stand out with excellent songs
that will convert you to their indie aesthetic. Other groups/artists
included on the compilation include The Steamkings, Lorelei, Linda Smith,
glo-worm, and Jane Pow. So why can't popstars dance? After a couple of
listens, I think it will all make perfect sense. (SLUMBERLAND, PO BOX
14731, BERKELEY, CA 94712)