Sloan
One Chord To Another CD
Murder.
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 2, 1997.
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As this record is about to be released domestically I figure it
appropriate to wonder why everyone finds so much to like about it?
Sure the first song is as great a tune as these four Canadians have
ever penned, and there is something to like about "The Lines You
Amend" and "Junior Panthers" but it sounds like aor rock most of the
time. Obviously this is more of a home record than their superior
second album Twice Removed. The multi-segmentation presented there
is gone in favor of a more straightforward approach that sounds too
little like the Big Star it longs to be. So I guess this is just
another piece to add to the Canadian national self-esteem crisis,
highly praised mediocrity indeed.
Sportsguitar
Married, 3 Kids CD
Matador. Ole 243.
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 2, 1997.
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This is a Swiss duo, and while they don't really measure up with other
Swiss exports like Swatch, Nestle, Cheese, yada yada yada... they are
a likeable lot. The album longs to be the equivalent of a home tapers
manifest, only that it is recorded in a studio with (Gasp!) a real
producer. You know the usual signposts when reviewing records like
this: Guided By Voices, Chris Knox, Shrimper records. This record hits
most of those forks in the road. Actually, I hear a lot of Lou Barlow
solo action in these songs? Really this disc doesn't offer much new.
Still the voices are nice, the guitar is pretty simple, and the music
gently undisturbing, might be nice to listen to when your mom is over
visiting, I bet my mom would have loved "Chords." However if it is a
choice between a Rolex and this album as a sample of Swiss precision,
and you find it a difficult decision, let me assist you, go for the
former.
Pencil Tin
A Gentle Hand To Guide You Along CD
Bus Stop. Bus1010.
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 2, 1997.
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The pedigree is probably impressive to some, there are Sugargliders,
Steinbeckers and Cat's Miaowers here and lots of their requisite
charms to prove it. I know this is akin to heresy, but one of my
faults with Cat's Miaow has always been the sometimes grating vocals,
and funny enough the remedy is to let someone else other than Kerrie
Miaow sing. I guess it is Bart on the mic here and his voice is
similar to Randall Lee's only far more engaging and pleasant, and the
music is understated in that awkwardly charming Australian pop sort of
way. Highlights are the friendly opener "Friday," the clinky "Smile"
and the lovely "Once in a While." Very nice.
Various Artists
B'ehl/Clag split 7" vinyl
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 2, 1997.
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Warning: this will rot your teeth. But don't worry I believe I have
enough Polygrip coupons for everyone, so go on indulge in this lovely
chunk of sweetness from the glimmering Aussie's Clag and the loverly
Canucks B'ehl. Prove how hard you are by being man or woman enough to
admit to liking this.
the Yummy Fur
Night Club CD
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 2, 1997.
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There are two schools of thought on approaching a record like this.
You could take the Rolling Stone stick up your butt hack-like
approach and proclaim this drivel for all of it's tiny, tinny, regrettable
similarities to the Fall and Gang of Four, and slag it as a parody of
itself rather than a parody of anything of content. You could hear
"Theme From Ultraba" and say, well that has only been done better by
only 3000 other bands, and you could laugh at the singer's attempt at
crossing Mark E. Smith with Damon from Blur, and christ you could dis
the pink cover art and get away with it. But then the second approach
could be applied, armed with the knowledge that the Fall haven't
released a decent piece of "music" since the famously brilliant
Extricate and you can sorta picture how this reminds some of the
first Gordons ep (a stretch for sure) and you can think that with titles
like "Plastic Cowboy" and "I Am Cosmetic Man" that these guys are hardly
serious, and parody just may be their advantage. Well, it matters
little which approach you take, cause the final result is that this is
catchy, innocent almost to the point of diffidence and a heck of a lot
of fun. Apparently Bis loves them, not that that should influence
you, but there is lots to love here.
Eggplant
Anorak Twat CD
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 2, 1997.
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Out of Stock.
I could be coy and complain that this disc smacks of Talulah Gosh
wannabeism, but then of course that would be like admitting there are
not enough bands that sound like Pearl Jam. Yes, Eggplant take their
cues from the mighty Gosh and a few pointers from other faves like the
Primitives and Strawberry Story but then could you name any more
perfect ledger of bands to bob your musical influences from? Didn't
think so, therefore you should mop up all the delights with your
floppy fringe and cardigan, every song on this singles compilation is
a winner and you'd be silly to think you could live without it.