Grieve by Sincerely Paul
SINCERELY PAUL
GRIEVE
1991 Blonde Vinyl Records
SlideMusicGroup.com
Review by: Matt Crosslin
This album is being re-issued soon – probably in less that a week or so after you are reading this. So let’s take a listen to the original first before we get a look at the re-issue next time.
I first heard Grieve when I was a recovering metal-head. So at that time, I gravitated towards songs like the title track, just due to their intensity. Or maybe it was just that freaky, cool sound going on in the background. Yes, there is intensity to this album that can attract fans of heavy music with an open mind. But there is so much more going on with this album.
You can tell from the opening track (appropriately titled “Open”), that the goal here is to be epic. I think they achieved that and more. This is moody, atmospheric music that will find fans among the gothic crowd as much as it will with the alternative crowd. As a bass player myself, I love how the bass guitar (and keyboards and drums for that matter) are equal in the mix with the guitars – not buried under distortion. The songs have a good amount of space in them, which creates a great dynamic atmosphere about the songs.
As was pointed out in the interview, the lyrics here are very honest. Pain and hurt are not covered up. The album is called Grieve after all – so don’t expect happy fun Jesus hippie music. But I would also agree with James and Mike that hope can be found if you care to dig in and listen. I am really looking forward to the re-issue to hear the unreleased songs from around this era – especially the popular demo tape that got them so much attention back in the day.
Lies by Bon Voyage
BON VOYAGE
LIES
2008 Tooth & Nail Records
Purchase: ToothandNail.com
Review by: Matt Crosslin
In the beginning, Bon Voyage was an entirely different monster than Starflyer 59 (except for guitarist Jason Martin, of course). Then the two sounds of both bands started to drift together. Even though they still remain slightly different, Bon Voyage (featuring Jason’s wife on vocals) and SF59 are now closer than ever. Someday, I think the only difference will be the gender of the lead vocalist. But that will be in about 10 years, as it seems to take that long for the Martins to release a couple of albums under the Bon Voyage moniker.
Jason Martin seems to be on a huge 80’s kick recently. Lies could easily have been released in 1986. I can say that with authority as a child of the 80’s. Even though we became known later by that whole odd “Gen-X” label, my generation was grooving to all those keyboard obsessed techno-rock songs of the mid-80s.
The songs on Lies are short and happy sounding. Even when she is singing about thinking she is a monster, you can almost see Julie Martin singing with a smile on her face.
Also, I have to point out that this is really not a full-length album. “Bad Dream” is really a different version (or maybe a re-mix?) of “Monster,” and “Bad Friend” and “LTD” are both instrumentals that barely stretch to over a minute. In fact, while listening to “Bad Friend,” I can’t help but singing out loud “words are so very / unnecessary / they can only do harm.” How long has it been since they last put out an album? And we only get 8 true full length songs? I think I only care because the songs are so, like, rockin’ and retro that I totally want more.
Money on the Dead
MONEY ON THE DEAD
MONEY ON THE DEAD
2009 Independent
Purchase: MySpace.com
Review by: Matt Crosslin
My first reaction to listening to this album was that this would be a group that you would probably find on Brainstorm Records, if they still existed today. It is one of those albums that combines many of the elements that also influenced those bands from the BAI roster that you love, throws in a dash of other influences that you kind of think you know (but can’t quite put your finger on), and then avoids doing anything over-done or imitative.
Money on the Dead is slightly quirky alternative music that is not too heavy or too mellow. In fact, I don’t know if I hear much crunch at all. But there is still some diversity to the sounds you get here. I would like to hear a bit more diversity from song to song here, but it’s not like they don’t have any. I would say to just add a little more here and there, with out going over board, to take the next album to the next level.
Let’s see how they describe themselves on MySpace. “Pop / Rock / Powerpop.” Hmmm… yeah, I can agree with that. Was that an organ that just started off my favorite track (“Love What’s Left”) on this disc? Yep – nice touch – a quick hit and then on to a faster paced acoustic rock song. That is followed by the slightly-Beatles-influenced song “The Honesty Song.” In fact, I think most of my favorite songs from this disc are up on their MySpace page as of now, except for the song “Shadowland.” The guitar behind the chorus is brilliant. Oh, and there is some good crunch in the last song: “I’m Beginning to See the Morning.” Overall, a solid effort – if you like what you hear on their MySpace page, you will like the whole album.
The Skin of Whippets by Charity Empressa
CHARITY EMPRESSA
THE SKIN OF WHIPPETS
2002 Velvet Blue Music
Purchase: VelvetBlueMusic.com
Review by: Steve Ruff
I’ll be honest… I bought this CD without knowing anything at all about it. I didn’t know who was in the band or what style of music this was. Not usually the way I buy music, but I bought this because Gerard did the cover artwork and I wanted to add this to my collection of Gerard related items. The Skin Of Whippets is a collaborative effort put on by Frank Lenz and Eric Campuzano. These two guys have an obvious long history in the music scene. Lenz has played with everyone under the son, including Cush, SF59, Daniel Amos and Mortal just to name a few, as well as putting out several solo records. Campuzano was a member in The Prayer Chain & Cush, heads up Northern Records and plays in The Lassie Foundation. This disc has 7 tracks and clocks in at just under 40 minutes. This is ambient, shoe gazing at it’s finest… the kind where you just sit back and let the music play – it drones, whines, cries and carries you far away into the place that you often find somewhere back between your dreams and the static in your mind. This record kind of encompasses all – sometimes it is minimal and other times it’s dense. Sonically lush and never in a hurry to get somewhere you don’t want to go, it is well worth the purchase.
Live at Eddies by Vigilantes of Love
VIGILANTES OF LOVE
LIVE AT EDDIES
2009 Independent
Purchase: BillMallonee.net
Review by: Steve Ruff
This download is the deal of the month for sure. This show was recorded at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA on January 23, 2009. This is straight from the soundboard to tickle your little ears. This one has 14 songs in total and is only $4.50 – seriously, only $4.50! Longtime fans of VoL will be happy with several of the oldies being played here including “Welcome To Struggleville”, “Blister Soul”, and “Skin”. There are newer tunes here such as “String Of Pearls” that are given the full band treatment, and then there are favorites like “Flowers” and brit-pop classics such as “Solar System” that are covered as well. This was a great show, buy this download and help support the best Americana band that is out there! Also, check out our review of this show in the “Live Report” section.
The Spooky Loop by Paloma
PALOMA
THE SPOOKY LOOP
1999 Devaness Records
Purchase: Amazon.com
Review by: Steve Ruff
This is one of the best discs that you probably have never heard of. I came across this disc about 10 years ago in a Christian bookstore and bought it because the back cover has a picture of a billboard with John Lennon and Yoko Ono on it. I thought the photos were so cool that I bought the CD. This quickly became a favorite of mine, and I was pleasantly surprised that Gene Eugene was a guest vocalist on here. This is yet another record that was recorded at the Green Room. This band was put together by Chad Anderson, and I cover it here because I just recently found him on MySpace still making music under the name Roger Moon. Paloma came and went with no attention and I have never seen them covered anywhere else. You can find this disc on eBay or Amazon for cheap if it strikes your interest. The music can best be described as indie rock that borders on shoe gaze but never hits that heavy wall of distortion and sound. I think this record is amazing! The lyrics are deep, poetic and they seem to tell a story that always borders on the somewhat sad and melancholy. Anderson’s voice is the perfect vehicle for this music as well. Check out what he is doing now on MySpace, and spend the coins on eBay or Amazon to get this gem that was unfortunately overlooked.
Breakups and Fur Coats by Hidden From Blackout
HIDDEN FROM BLACKOUT
BREAKUPS AND FUR COATS
2009 Hill Deg Maria Records
HiddenFromBlackout.com
Review by: Steve Ruff
Rick McDonough has finally released Hidden From Blackout’s first album entitled Breakups and Fur Coats. I have been waiting on this for disc for a long time and I was excited when I dropped by the post this morning and found the disc there waiting. The anticipation has been growing, and let me say that even on just the first listen, I LOVE this album. The first song is ‘As Noon’ and it captured me right away… from the soft strumming of the acoustic guitar over the melancholy of the keyboards creating an atmosphere of gentleness and repose – the vocals are ethereal and haunting, but beautiful and sad in a desperate sort of way. This music evokes emotion, from the lump in my throat to the awakening of my heart… this is true beauty. Another stand out track that got me off first listen was ‘Fade’. I can best describe it as beautiful, soothing and timeless, as if space were turned inside out. Each song here is like a journey, with free flowing forms and sonic backdrops that are full of melody and movement. Hidden From Blackout is an intangible journey from beginning to end. This disc is tenacious while still being delicate and is pleasure to the ears and the mind.
All of the words and music here is from Rick/Hidden From Blackout, but there are contributions from a couple other fine musicians. Christopher Bright from the bands A Movement Upwards and Paravell (where he also plays with Rick) contributes drums on 3 tracks. Michael Knott plays guitar on the song ’Space’ as well as recording, mixing and producing along with Rick. This is a must buy record!
No Line On The Horizon by U2
U2
NO LINE ON THE HORIZON
2009 Interscope
Purchase: U2.com
Review by: Matt Crosslin
So you can hear this album on their MySpace page. The whole thing. And you’ve probably already decided whether to buy this album or not based solely on one factor – your opinion of Bono. Or maybe based on the hype surrounding the album in general. Let’s face it – the hype is good, and Bono is often misunderstood. So does this album live up to its hype?
My opinion: a huge resounding yes. Some people have been disappointed that this album is not as experimental as they would like. Sorry, U2 didn’t get as popular as they are by being Radiohead. They did it by being U2 – which means some change and experimentation with each album, along with some familiar elements. That is always what I have appreciated about them. There are some slight Middle Eastern influences on some songs. Not so much that you think you are listening to a Rai album, but some subtle ones here and there. But then a song like “Magnificent” comes ringing through with that familiar U2 sound and a big smile hits my face.
Even though I am one of those that get and appreciate Bono, I have to say there some occasional vocal moments that I would have changed if it were up to me. And as much as I like “Get On Your Boots,” I have to admit that it sounds a bit too much like they are trying to make it sound like it is not “Vertigo.”
Some have also said this is U2’s most “Christian” album. I think you would have to have a pretty narrow view of what being a Christian means to say that. U2 has either been really bold in their beliefs, or really bold in mocking American culture (see Pop or Zooropa) – which I think is two things any Christian worth their salt would also be doing anyways. That has never changed since their first album – it’s just a little more blatant here.
DTL Live Report: Vigilantes of Love
VIGILANTES OF LOVE
EDDIES ATTIC
DECATUR, GA
1-23-2009
I was anticipating this show for weeks! Vigilantes of Love is absolutely my favorite Americana band, I have grown up listening to Bill Mallonee and company in whatever line up was playing at the time. Bill retired the Vigilantes in 2002 after well over a decade of non-stop touring and a list of critically acclaimed records with very little commercial success. Those of you that are fans know the story well. Bill has released at least 8 (depending on how you count them) solo records since disbanding the Vigilantes, and released more demos then you can count for several years under the now defunct BillTunes service. I would argue that Bill’s output is unparalleled and that there is no one out there that puts out the amount of music that he does, and definitely no one that puts out stuff this rich and well done.
So, on to the show… The Vigilantes had several different line ups during their career, and this is not a return to any past line up, this is a new, fresh crew with the only returning member besides Bill being Kevin Heuer on drums. The band is rounded out by Jon Guthrie on bass, A.J. Adams on pedal steel guitar, and Bill’s wife Muriah Rose on vocal harmonies. This was only the 3rd show that these guys have played and it was spot on the entire night. The played a solid 14 song set with new tunes (String Of Pearls), old tunes (Welcome To Struggleville, Blister Soul) and tunes from Bill’s solo catalog (Solar System, Flowers).
I have seen Bill numerous times through the years and it was great to see him backed here by the band and playing to a sold out crowd at Eddie’s. Bill has somewhere close to 30 records to his name, and not a one of them disappoint. This band is the real deal – there is nothing else like them! Check out Bill’s website where you can purchase this show as a download for only $4.50, we cover it in the reviews section of the magazine as well. Bill also has most of his entire catalog up on his website for download. The prices are more than fair and the music doesn’t get any better. He has his solo work, full band and his more recent WPA Volumes up and available. This is honest independent music, support it and enjoy!
www.billmallonee.net
www.myspace.com/billmallonee
www.myspace.com/worksprogressadministration
Live at Cornerstone by Adam Again
ADAM AGAIN
LIVE AT CORNERSTONE
2000 M8 Music
2001 Galaxy 21 Music
Review by: Matt Crosslin
There are two versions of this live tribute show floating around out there – both pretty much out of print. The original version was released by M8 records as a three disc set. It included live sets from 1995 and 1997 as well as the 2000 Cornerstone tribute show. The 2001 Galaxy 21 re-issue (pictured on the left) doesn’t have the live shows from the 90s, but it does have a new track from Riki Michele and a bonus disc from Greg Lawless – his first solo album. The re-issue is much easier to find. Both have the live tribute concert that featured a who’s who of Alternative music singing Gene’s parts of classic Adam Again tunes. I was at this concert when it happened. It was a powerful night. There is really just no way to capture what was experienced in person that night. Emotions were high, understandably. Cornerstone was it’s usual hot, humid, muddy self… and this concert was late at night. But none of that stopped anyone from enjoying a great concert. This quality of the CD is really good, seeing that they had planned to record the show from the beginning. If you can hunt down the original M8 version, I would highly recommend it – that version contains some touching stories at the end from different friends of Gene. However, the re-issue is the better deal in my opinion, due to the new material it contains from Riki Michele and Greg Lawless. All of the new songs are totally different style-wise from than anything Adam Again ever did, but still solid music compositions all around.