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25 August 2005

Scrabbel, 1909 (Three Ring) Rating: 8
Scrabbel attempt to answer the age-old question: can an indie pop band write an album in which the title is based on the actions of Ahn Joong-Gun, a Korean patriot who was executed in 1910 after assassinating Japanese governor-general of Korea, Ito Hirobumi, on October 26, 1909? The answer is a resounding abso-freaking-lutely. The album 1909 brims with creativity. One-man-band Dan Lee enjoys the frequent company of some cello- and violin-playing friends to give the album some texture. It runs from the unabashed sunshine pop of "Last Train" to acoustic finger picking backed by synth drums on the title track. Also check out the exquisite dissonant notes ringing throughout "Save the Green Planet" and "Out of Time". "All the Things We Have" would even please the Syd Barrett enthusiasts. The biggest misstep might be a cover of the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset". It's a good song performed faithfully, but with the already strong mix of originals (even including a few instrumental interludes), who needs the Kinks?
      — David Bernard

Clit 45, Self-Hate Crimes, (Better Youth Organization) Rating: 5
To paraphrase (of all things) Baseketball, it certainly seems to be raining shit on the guys in Clit 45. First of all, they've got a band name you can't say in front of your mom, but more pressing proof comes in the form of the Long Beach, CA-area 20-somethings' grimy street punk debut Self-Hate Crimes. Unlike the whiny, girls-don't-talk-to-me mallpunk clogging the airwaves these days, Clit 45 has real problems: "There's nothing left to believe in!" lead singer Dave howls on the grinding "What's Left?" He's also got a "heart full of hate" ("Just Who The...") and is sure that his hometown "will be the death of me" ("Dead Ends and Debauchery"); like I said real problems. Their outlook is bleak, but Clit 45's got at least one thing going for them: they can actually play their instruments; no guitar bludgeoners here. Sure, tunes like "Killed By Life" and "Gimme Death" are heavyheavyheavy but actual guitar hooks and melodies abound throughout Self-Hate Crimes. Admittedly, the band's worldview is best taken in small doses, and a "sameness factor" starts to creep in about halfway through the disc, but fortunately every song is sub-3:00 and Clit 45's pain and anguish is genuine and cathartic. [Amazon]
      — Stephen Haag

Count Zero, Little Minds (SineAppleSap) Rating: 6
Boston's Count Zero might have the right idea when it comes to synth-pop. Rather than emphasizing the synthetic sound, Count Zero uses the synthesizer as a neutral base for a variety of electric and acoustic instruments. Although featuring a wide range of instruments, Little Minds never seems overstuffed, the band knows that interesting sounds are only useful if used sparingly, hence the brief two-note trumpet blast that acts as the hook on the opening "Bite Off the Roses", which sets the tone for the entire album. The band has a little problem with keeping songs to their appropriate lengths, the 12 songs on the album take up nearly an hour of listening time, but the band adds enough interesting sonic wrinkles to compensate for the over-extended songs. The album has the feel of a near-concept album with lyrics that seem to revolve around the loss of innocence, the liner notes are presented as a coloring book, as singer Peter Moore admits in the robotic reggae of "Hello Somebody": "Maybe I'm going through a phase/ Lately I'm hung on younger days." Little Minds is not one of those big pop albums that will capture listeners with big hooks and crunchy riffs, but it contains enough subtle pleasures to engage listeners willing to give it a few spins. [Amazon]
      — Hunter Felt

Various Artists, One Scene to Another: Plumline Record's Tribute to Canadian Indie Rock (Plumline) Rating: 4
Back in the early 1990s while Seattle was blowing up, another, much quieter revolution was going on across the continent. Led by the (at the time) goofy, slackerish pop of Sloan, Canada's East coast exploded with a wealth of indie rock talent including Eric's Trip, the Super Friendz, and Thrush Hermit. The buzz grew to be quite loud and was nearly deafening when longtime indie mainstays Sloan and Eric's Trip both signed big deal record contracts with Geffen and Sub Pop, respectively. If One Scene to Another is any indication, Canadian indie rock has proven to be as important as Pavement or Sonic Youth to young bands. Spanning a generous 16 tracks, the Plumline Records' roster has paid a loving tribute to the music from the Great White North that has inspired them. As one might expect, the tributes here range wildly in quality. Though Mood Elevator's lounge take on Sloan's latter period "Money City Maniacs" works as novelty, it doesn't hold up as entire song. Likewise, the Hard Lesson's slower run through the Super Friendz's "Karate Man" lacks the latter's pop punch. On the other end of the spectrum, Spy Island's topsy-turvy rendition of Jale's "Ali" is refreshing, while Anthony Rochon's straightforward crack at Joel Plaskett's "The News of Your Son" retains the track's levity while the addition of piano gives it a texture Plaskett's studio version never had. Overall, One Scene to Another is a curiosity at best and proof of the longevity and reach of early Canadian indie rock. This disc is hardly essential if you already have the source material in your collection.
      — Kevin Jagernauth

Skyline Rodeo, Long Drive to Iceland (Mightyming) Rating: 7
You want to enjoy some records because they have an odd album title or there is something in the name that you think means greater promise or fine musicianship. Skyline Rodeo has all of this and a kettle of fish! The trio, led by guitarists Morgan Chen and Steve Bumgarner weave in and out of each other on the gorgeous instrumental "Peppermint Patty", never sounding clichéd or old, instill extremely fresh. "George Bailey Complex" is a jerky indie pop tune in the vein of Violent Femmes finding their niche or cult status. They also are able to turn the mood of the album back and forth between hard moments and softer, reflective pieces such as "Trim The Fat" as well as a challenging but engaging "The Advent of Indie Yuppie" and They Might Be Giants-esque "Cliches Work". The last third of the record starts with another winding, creeping cult-ish tune entitled "Fire in the Hole" (no, not a Tragically Hip cover). And the sleeper pick is easily "My Commercial".
      — Jason MacNeil

.: posted by Editor 6:52 AM