Don't Spoil Your Meeting By Reading KB's June Reviews

Music Club
June 2006

Lacuna Coil- Karmacode
While the female vocal is a nice touch, it’s not enough to completely win me over. I found Karamacode to sound like a modern horror movie soundtrack (picture a woman running through the woods in the dark of course as a madman chases her). This is not to say that the disc is totally awful. I found that the songs individually were better than all at once because the songs blend together with heavily mixed guitars, non-existent bass and same tempo. There were moments I liked, such as “Fragments” heavier sound the poppy opening of “Closer” and the cover “Enjoy the Silence”. Wouldn’t turn off for one song, but after 3 in a row maybe.(2)

Professor Longhair- Rock and Roll Gumbo
Decent happy New Orleans music. Perfect for picnics or Cajun outings. Not necessarily something to listen to on a regular basis. The musicians are top shelf and create a solid Louisiana groove. I have always had an affinity for old time musicians who play with conviction, and Longhair fits the bill. (3)

Bad Religion- Stranger than Fiction
First- yes I like the Ramones, Social Distortion and the Thermals. Yes their music has a tendency to sound quite similar. Stranger than Fiction sounds like one continual BOOM BOOM BOOM, with little melodic variance and non-fluid lyrics. I didn’t like the album when it came out but I gave it another spin. Maybe it’s the over fast tempo (except for the single) with no perceptive groove or the fact that the lyrics just don’t work. This album got good reviews when it came out but not from me. (1)

Sufjan Stevens-Illinoise
File this in the “Use Wacky Instruments in Rock with a Big Concept” file. I listened to this back when the raves were being printed. Accept for “Gacy” I found this disc as dull as a plain rice cake. Sure it’s daunting trying to write an album for each of the 50 states. It would be more interesting if he adopted the prevalent style of music of the state – like Chicago blues maybe… Titles the lengths of novellas, kooky instruments, effeminate over-sensitive vocals- bleech (.5 for a sad song about a serial killer)

Medeski Martin and Wood Ghits
I chose this group for their completely unique style and funk laden sound. Some of their music is waaaaaay out there sometimes but when they decided to work with a riff they are pretty entertaining. Saw them open for Morphine many years back and they definitely rock and grooved. Most of their albums are 60-40, the 40 being “what the…?!?” End of the World Party is my favorite by them for what it is worth. I left the real bizarre stuff off. Hopefully you all got a little bit from this.


Emotions
I brought up this question to see what songs really affect/effect each of us. We are all different, but I was curious if there was a similar chord between us. The following songs, for me, can consistently evoke emotions- though some may be dated. I'm sure there are others.

Tears;
Hurt- Johnny Cash
One- U2
Blue- Lucinda Williams
Am I Pretty Enough- Kasey Chambers (have to have a daughter for this one)
Keep Me in Your Heart- Warren Zevon

Anger;
Dear God- XTC
The Ballad of the Kingsmen- Todd Snider
Black Boys on Mopeds- Sinead O’ Connor
Amerika 6.0- Steve Earle

Cheer;
Family Picture- Donna the Buffalo
Be Good- Hot House Fowers
Move With Me Sister- Del Fuegos
I Found Love- Lone Justice
One Time, Two Time Devastated- Dom Mariani
Living with a Dreaming Body- Poi Dog Pondering
Any Southern on the Culture tune

Describes Me;
I Am the Ocean- Neil Young
Tree House- Buffalo Tom
Teen Angst- Cracker
Slow Turnin’- John Hiatt
Gimme Shelter- Rolling Stones
Burn in Hell- Two Cow Garage
Want Get Dead- Tsar
Blankest Year- Nada Surf