|
| REVIEWS |
Theresa
Anderson
Shine
(Basin
Street)
Jimmy Chamberlin Complex
Life Begins Again
(Sanctuary)
Laurent Garnier
The Cloud Making Machine
(Mute)
Joselyn & Wild Roots
Shapeshifting
(Roots
Woman)
Kelli Ali
Psychic Cat
(One
Little Indian)
Today I sit here at my PC, sporting a 3-day beard and smoking
a skinny cigar just like the ones Clint used to chomp on in
Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. I have laid out all
the CDs in my comfy den end-to-end, to see if I can go from
here to my neighbor’s home across the street. This methodology
allows me to sort through and randomly compile the most interesting
music for your listening pleasure. Clayton, my soft coated Wheaton
terrier assists me in this process. I have trained him to dump
CDs he doesn’t like in the wicker waste basket; however,
every now and then, he does bring one over to my desk. If I
like what I hear, then I reward him with a Beggin Strip.
Theresa Anderson - Shine
I feel particularly guilty about taking so long to review a
CD by Basin Street Records, who sent me an array of music several
months ago. They are an independent label concentrating on jazz,
blues and rock artists hailing from the Big Easy. From their
stable of local New Orleans talent, I took a liking to Theresa
Anderson, who has recorded a collection of well written, power
pop music. As a slight point of comparison, her style is somewhat
reminiscent of Sheryl Crow but with a bit more grit. Ms. Anderson
and her tight band employ a repertoire of jazz and country ingredients
to high energy rockers like “Connected” and “Lie
To Me.” Additional color is added by Theresa’s ability
to wield a mean electric violin, which for my money is an under
used instrument in popular music. For my musical palette, “Good
Girl” is the best track on the CD and sounds like what
might happen if Alanis Morrisette drank several shots of Jack
Daniels and stopped being pretentious for five minutes.
Jimmy Chamberlin Complex - Life Begins Again
Jimmy Chamberlin is the former drummer of the Smashing Pumpkins,
possessing mega chops the likes of which could make him the
love child of Jack Dejohnette or Simon Phillips. Upon watching
the video of the making of his new record, I sat in awe of his
incredibly adept drumming that is powerful and beyond normal
precision. The opening track is a four minute jam featuring
the musical talents of his brilliant band The Complex. The music
offers a jazz fusion influence without being dated and could
be compared to Australian progressive rock band Gong. The title
track “Life Begins Again” sounds likes cross between
Chris Cornell and Alan Holdsworth and features proficient guitar
work by Sean Woolstenhulme and first rate vocals by Rob Dickinson
of Catherine Wheel fame. Former SP band mate Billy Corgan takes
a turn providing his distinctive vocal sound on “Loki
Cat,” a pleasant tune with a decidedly alternative flavor.
This is a musically adventurous record that allows the well
schooled musicians a chance to stretch out while skillfully
combining elements of alternative, jazz fusion and progressive
rock.
Laurent Garnier - The Cloud Making Machine
Frenchman Laurent Garnier is one of the preeminent DJs in the
world of techno music. I admit with the greatest prejudice that
his brand of instrumental music is not my cup of tea and quite
frankly I am surprised that Clayton is fond of this record.
However, I cannot give him a doggie biscuit for his impetuous
selection. The liner notes of the CD state that “The
Cloud Making Machine is surely Laurent Garnier’s
most personal album to date. Garnier expresses a broader range
of musical styles on his fourth album, revealing more intimate,
emotional and mature material than ever before.” This
sounds like a lot of dribble written by a publicist who has
a strange notion of emotional and intimate. Unfortunately, my
assessment of this record is much less flattering. For me, there
is nothing personal about this meandering, soulless, electronic
wanking and it elicited no emotional response other than my
relief after the last song was over.
Joselyn & Wild Roots - Shapeshifting
Yippee, Clayton the Wheaton has picked out a CD from a local
LA ensemble named Joselyn and Wild Roots, who hail from the
Bohemian community of Venice California, where I experienced
several years of my misspent youth. Talented Lead vocalist Joselyn
Wilkinson sounds like a cross between Annie Lennox and Alica
Keys and her band of Wild Roots offer able support playing soulful
dance, Afro-Cuban and pseudo hip hop grooves. The addition of
tasteful trumpet and flute parts add jazz and salsa flavors
to the material. This 10-song disc opens with the Latin, hip-hop
flavored “Break it Down,” which offers a radio friendly
sound without sacrificing the quality of cool. From there, the
albums flows smoothly and well crafted lyrics and melodies kept
my interest. Clayton gives the disc two paws up and I have to
agree with my perceptive pooch with ears of gold, there ain’t
no dog tracks on this record.
Kelli Ali - Psychic Cat
Kelli Ali, formerly of The Sneaker Pimps recently released a
solo album about her clairvoyant kitty and this sparked Clayton’s
interest immediately, since he was fascinated by both the music
and telepathic possibilities of reviewing this record. After
giving this one a spin, I would classify the sound as techno
pop with twinges of R & B. However, there are some occasional
harder edged bits that remind me of Garbage vocalist Shirley
Manson. Psychic Cat opens with “Hot Lips,”
which is a catchy little number that I would describe as what
might happen if Joan Jett and Abba morphed together and recorded
a rocking, disco ditty. The other material, written mostly by
singer Ali and producer McCracken is consistently good, though
the clarion sound of synthesizer horn parts wear a bit thin
towards the end of the record.
Clayton’s two cents:
My soft coated Wheaton terrier speaks to me telepathically.
Though less than a year old, his taste in music is evolving
quickly and I believe that with ultra sensitive K-9 ears, he
is becoming what is known in the business as an A & R pooch.
Since Clayton picked all five of the CDs I have reviewed for
this edition of my variety pack, I will let him provide the
following final thoughts:
- My master buys me crappy toys that taste like rubber …
hey, come to think of it, they are.
- My master serves me crappy food that tastes like dirt pellets
… hey, come to think of it, they are.
- My master frowns on me savoring the delights of the cat litter
box.
- My master yells at me frequently, yet his command of my language
is profoundly dismal.
- I do not care what my master says, Laurent Garnier’s
record is intimate, emotional and mature … and it rocks!
- Would I be overstating my case if I said Laurent Garnier’s
The Cloud Making Machine touches my soul?
Reviewed by
Phillip E. Hardy
February 11th, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
