Reviews

A cool, unique band on the Creativeman Disc label, The Walkabouts combine elements of pop, country and western, and americana style rock to produce a landscape of sound. The band uses everything from steel guitar flavorings to violins in diverse, thick swirlings of sound. What strikes me most about the band is the level of songwriting apparent in their craft. The melodies are strong, the hooks unpretentious, and the bottom end rocks continuously. For instrumentation, a standout would have to be Bruce Wirth, who handles the violins, lap steel and mandolin, very much the defining character in the band. Terri Moeller's drumming is tight, heavy and strong. Carla Torgerson is a great vocalist as well is guitar master Chris Eckman, together they make one of the best trade-off teams currently out there. Michael Well's bass playing is the bottom line of the band, steady, with articulation to carry the strong song structures and lyrics. The outer edge of the band would have to be Glenn Slater kicking in piano, organ and assorted noises; his touch creates the classic rock flavorings of the band. This entire record is good, not a loose tune anywhere. Primecuts are Jack Candy, Sundowner (" I'm drunk as a racehorse" is classic), Break It Down, and Snake Mountain Blues (a buddy of mine thought this was the new John Hyatt I was jammin), and Findlay's Motel is definitely a tripper...either the country, pop or rock modes, The Walkabouts have a jewel in New West Motel. Contact: Creativeman Disc, 1875 Century Park East #1165, Los Angeles, CA, 90067. Order products fromCyberdisc.

World Domination Sampler: Latimer (Live From Sour City lp)/ Sugar Plant (After After Hours LP) / Lizard Music (Dear Champ lp)/ Kristeen Young (Meet Miss Young Her All Boy Band)

World Domination Records have steadily been making a name for themselves in the independent market by continuously producing a variety of excellent bands and products. If this handy dandy sampler that floated through my mailbox is any indication, they are getting better all the time. Take the band Latimer, they rock! If commercial radio weren't so bought out and lame, the Latimer crew would be all over it. Tunes represented here include Citizen Jive (kickin') and a fabulous single-material ditty called Bloated in Detroit, which has hit written all over it. The hell with fat-cat radio, a strong push to college will make a name for this song, and this band. You can bet Trip 248 will spin this number. Next band on the disc, Sugar Plant, is like a good joint after a weekend drunk, kinda mellows you and gets the mind back in top shape for work on Monday. Their two songs, Here Rain Comes and Synapse bring vision of forrest, beach, and sunshine...whatta smooth way to enjoy the evening! SP's music has a lot of introspect, with flowing guitars and cranberrish stature. I have no idea what the band Lizard Music looks like, but if they aren't cool, they outta be. This too is a band that commercial radio should give a fair shot to, their tunes aspire to youth, and the music is groovin' too, nice hooks with slinging high hats and retrofitted organs, bass in the cracks kinda thing, you know, like the Monkees meets Foghat without the wah-wahs. My Zebra could even make contemporary status. Biggest surprise on the disc is Kristeen Young, she's got the funk, the skunk, and the brass monkey. KY and her band (I guess they are all guys) can switch gears between hip-hop sass, progressive riff, and diva power stomp flawlessly. Tori Amos never had these kinda balls, and Kristeen is just as good, and definitely has more variety. The Sweetest Freedom is a great way to end this excellent compilation, with Kristeen's voice souring above majestic piano, drums and guitar. World Domination, they live up to their name on this one. Contact: domination@netvoyage.net, 1-800-818-6377. Order products from Cyberdisc.

Negative Format: Pathologic Syndrome

Let me say this about Alex Matheu, the brains behind Negative Format, I got his tape a few years ago and thought it was pretty cool, I got Pathologic Syndrome about a month ago and it hasn't left my disc changer yet. It's just a tad short of brilliant, and I mean a tad. Negative Format combines darkwave, industrial and electronica to make a stabbing, biting, brooding sort of darkness you can relax and get lost in. Alex makes out like a sick, twisted freak, aspiring to seduce, maim, and kill with his weapon of choice, music. Some of this stuff is incredible! He starts the disc out with What Were You Thinking, it completely throws you off. When Moral Void Kicks in, you feel the pangs of insanity starting to creep upward, when Prey For the Dead follows, you have no choice but to obey. My favorite track on the disc is Base Rate Area, a pounding, sinister mass of roving destruction. Much of this disc has a very strong european feel. On the psycological side it reeks of madness, tension and death, the CD's title is a perfect fit. White Walls Turn Red is the obvious title track to one hell of a horro flick. Alex gets on religion's ass in Barriers Rise, using the dynamics in the music mix to full effect. I would seem Negative Format has a lovely dark future, as long as Alex remembers to take his prozac!! Contact: http://www.tbi.net/~hypnosis

Sham 69: Kings & Kings

Sham 69 has been around forever, their raw energy punk never goes out of style. A Sham 69 album is one you put on, and you rock. It's great for driving, drinking, and wankin'. Please don't try them all at once though! Kings and Queens stretches from old style (I Don't Wanna) garage (Ulster Boy) to NY underground (They Don't Understand) to anthem (Hurry Up Harry). It's all here, and it ain't no sham, it's fuckin' jam! Contact: Creativeman Disc

Balistik Kick: Warhead

Balistik Kick harkens to the true form of original metal, before speed and death defined a new genre. Heavy, with killer guitar licks, dead march triumph, and ripping, screaming vocals. Lead off title cut has it all. This one will draw blood in the pits. Joe Adrignola is a strong throat, not too showy, with a good range and clean rasp. He's got underlying power in dem dar pipes. There is plenty to get in a rough about here: abuse, insanity, killing and mayhem. Sounds like the heavy metal last supper. It's good to hear a guitarist hammering again, I had began to think it was all machine gun hands these days. Mike Paradine absolutely wails on his kit, he's got the pounding slash down to a perfected thrash, know what I mean. He's rolling inside of Vinnie Valdes strike force bass and Mike Marino's metal demon trail of six string destruction. I need another 12 pack for this boys! Balistik Kick remembers the days-gone-by gods of heavy metal, their lineage retains strength is homage to everything that makes heavy metal the music that will never die. Just when you think the band is getting normal, they slide that cross member in upside the head. The cut Train Of Pain says it all, vintage era stuff, for a second I though I heard Trouble, no wait, it's Hetfield! Hell no, it's Balistik Kick!!! "March Of Crimes" is really cool...get this disc!

Sea Creature: Sea Creature

SC are an ecclectic throw containing celtic, Kate Bush, and some other unknown cosmos floating around in the mix. The title cut, at number 2 on the disc, sets the surreal scene for inversion. Cameron Ember's voice carries above and floats away. The whole disc is like a early morning walk through fog entrenched hedgerows. It's smooth psychedelic patter is mastered by a sea (no pun intended) of talented performers. Including Eric Walker handling piano, hammond organ, synthesizers and a whole slew of other instruments. Jeremy Bloch adds a special touch of guitars; and on various numbers, to good effect, go another 11 or so performers. The whole disc is like a ballet version of Dracula meets the Wolfman. Somewhere in here lies a silver bullet and pointed stake. Cuts Bullet and Serotonin showing the band's reference to sans 1st round Jefferson Airplane. It's pretty trippy. #5, Serotonin, creates vision on it's saddening, almost spiritual vibe, in a far out way. Someone is going insane here! I really like the disc's end at 14 cuts, with Happy Ending, it's like angels...Cool.... Contact: Cameron@sea-creature.com, or buy it soon on UNDERGROUND