Record Reviews

 
Previous page, Next page. First page, Final page. Go to mailorder catalog.
Reviews #377 - #382 (of 460 ), sorted by artist. Sort by date instead. Jump to review #
 
Stars
Nightsongs CD
Le Grand Magistery. HRH-019.
by Keith Mclachlan.
February 25, 2001.


See more about this title.

Out of Stock.
As the first few songs passed I wondered why Ms. Kate liked this cause it sounded a lot like the Melys and she has no time for the Melys, but myself, I was thinking at least the Melys are welsh and Stars, they're just canadian and as a former Canadian myself I know firsthand there is absolutely no allure in being Canadian. But then things got a lot more interesting. It actually sounds something like you would imagine Ian Catt's solo record sounding like (mind Ian may have already released several records I have no idea), if he had absorbed all of the influences of bands he has produced in the past ten years. There is some Saint Etienne here, some Field Mice, of course I would need to add the Smiths though their influence appears mostly to resonate only in the decision to cover the most perfect of Smiths songs 'This Charming Man' and well while that cover is interesting it is so only because while not a radical re-interpretation it only vaguely resembles the original by including a sample of the original guitar riff. It is the Smiths made less sexless though, and considering the repressed energy of the original that is a fine accomplishment. Wearing their Canadian on their sleeves, it is impeccably mannered and somewhat non-aggressive save for the few profane moments. Which, then, makes me wonder then why did not Wordsworth cuss? Cause those bad words seem out of place in moments of melancholy and graceful streams the likes of which are present in loads on this record, and their profane thoughts blunt act merely as bluntly dimming effects, at least to my ears. The music is indiepop/trip-hop and while the trip-hop genre is long past its sell date somehow they charm enough to make the disc rather outstanding actually, must be their cuteness quotient that overcomes. This, belonging to me, sort of reaction is entirely a surprise as they interview poorly and I fully expected to hate their record once I finally got around to listening. But, somehow, I don't, indeed it is all very pretty.
 
Stereo Bus
Brand New CD
EMI. 522609-2.
by Keith McLachlan.
January 23, 2000.

See more about this title.

Out of Stock.
That's a crap name for a record. It is something to celebrate though, this the second lp from the Stereo Bus, for what it truly sounds like is that quite possibly long lost fourth record from the long lost Jean Paul Sartre Experience. Stereo Bus' main man is Dave Yetton who handled the sissy factor for JPSE and who also managed to sissify an entire album by himself a few years ago when the first Stereo Bus album was crafted mostly as a home-recorded document of sky blue, melodic ache. This time around however he has wrangled himself a proper band including someone with the fabulous surname Fa'foi and apparently he has dusted off some of those old JPSE demos and decided that he is the true heir to their classically, polished ethereal pop throne. Not a bad idea seeing as how Dave Mulcahy has fallen so hard on his large face and Gary Sullivan is making the soundtrack to my personal hell in Solid Gold Hell.
   So what we have here is 11 songs that merge the dreamy guitar aesthetic of shoegazerism with the acoustic ambience of several classic kiwi-strum bands including the JPSE. The first record was spare and filled with cirrus-like arrangements and yet this new one booms from the speakers with a sound not heard since 'Bleeding Star'. The best songs are still the ones that illuminate their proudest moments with acoustic guitars and build gently to a climax that is often teased at but never achieved (sonic explosives experts need not apply) except in the strangely stimulated recesses of your beautiful cortex. It is not as sissy as they claim either, pink record covers aside, but in a world where not enough bands know how to "not rock" they are truly refreshing.
 
Stereo Bus
The Stereo Bus CD
Bodega. beats 005.
by Keith McLachlan.
December 28, 1997.

See more about this title.

Out of Stock.
Sure, Flying Nun still denies it has even happened, but the breakup of JPS Experience is starting to seem like a good idea these days, certainly much more than in the days of the wake created by their announcement. Unfairly, the JPS Experience were always considered to be B-leaguers in the Flying Nun pecking order. Never were they considered in the same breath as bands like the Clean and Chills, but they were the authors of some of the finest tunes to emanate from the rich Kiwi terrain including the all time classic 'I Like Rain.'
   And joyfully enough this record takes the listener back to that very song as ex-JPSer David Yetton (he is essentially The Stereo Bus) has essentially crafted a clutch of songs that harken back more to the early minimalist days of JPSE than those of the more technically savvy swan song era. Most of the songs are centered around his fragile voice and haunting guitar style. Especially on the most perfect 'Gods Fingers' where David aches for his love accompanied sadly by a quiet piano and only the most skeletal percussion. It is terribly swoonsome.
   Unlike the more muscular Superette (another JPSE offshoot) most of the songs here are presented in near demo form, so the vocals aren't perfect and the presentation sometimes seems a bit chalky, but really the form is spot on for nearly all of the songs. There are some shoegazing revisited songs, a lot of dreamy ballads and some more visceral moments that were always David's strongest suit in his contributions to the JPSE. And as the ultimate bonus David Pine appears on one track playing bass reminding me that he too is working on his own material these days.
   'The Stereo Bus' is probably the best walkman specialized lp of the year and certainly will appear in my top ten at the end of the year. Newsflash-coming soon the debut from Lanky, the James Laing JPSE...er sideband, hee hee, but until then this will hold you over although it is no longer available at the moment, at least not until Sony reissues it later this year.
 
Stereo Total
Jukebox Alarm CD
Bobsled. Bob 09 CD.
by Keith McLachlan.
September 28, 1999.


See more about this title.

Out of Stock.
What better time to review this album than on the verge of the release of its successor? The group is terribly pan-European but recently I have discovered exactly why there is no representation from Denmark in their exciting blend of sass, raunch and cosmicality and that is because the Danish government sees fit to charge a 218% tax on all automobile purchases. This tax supplies 33% of government revenue and effectively prohibits Danes from owning their own modes of transportaion thus denying entry to nearly all of the continent's grooviest bands (public transport hours are far too pedestrian for rokk'n'rollers of this caliber). For short of Lars Ulrich the Danish vein of pop music has hardly produced a shimmer of light, therefore it could be possible that the next Noel Gallagher is residing in Denmark at this very moment and luckily for us we will never know about it.
   Anyhow, Stereo Total used to have French, Germans and Italians but I noticed some new names on this album so maybe the mix has changed but all in all other than being far more experimental than the two albums previous, this record continues their penchant for fast love, fast cars, fast kitsch and cramming as much life into one track as possible. Forget 'carpe diem' and yell 'Jukebox Alarm' instead for if you are able to live you life in such a fashion as to keep up with the highlights commented on in this group of songs then you are truly living life to the fullest, full on just like those bratty kids in Surge commercials.
 
Stereo Total
Musique Automatique CD
Bobsled. Bob-24.
by Keith Mclachlan.
November 10, 2001.


See more about this title.

Out of Stock.
Though I have yet to hear a note it appears Britney Spears is officially all grown up on her new record. Is it because she has decided to put some clothes on and sing about things like not being able to make the mortgage payment or the absurdity of Syria being elected the the United Nations Security Council? Nope. It is because now instead of teasing all the horny 40 year old beer-guts and Bob Dole's dog she is now coming out all explicit like. Woo-hoo, three cheers for being a grown-up! Stereo Total are grown-ups, the haggard sort actually, I've seen them and wonder if they likely attended the same Key Parties as Kevin Kline and Ripley as shown in Ice Storm and came out looking like death warmed over. But their music swings! And they needn't any press concerning their maturation they've always been overtly sexual, but ooo ah they turn sly here and do it in languages other than English this time. Never monolinguists they still always managed to tittilate English-speaking tongues with ditties in the most important language on earth but not this time. I see some French, some German, some uh...well no English but it doesn't matter because the music swings! It sounds much better produced this time, fewer guitars more synths and loops and samples and more vocal effects, I guess I do miss the broken English but the whole package is more enjoyale. Thre is a flow from song to song and a modernity, I am usually not keen to discussing production (leave that to the dorks on I Love Music) but the sci-fi futurism captured on a few tracks might be nice to apply to some of the tinnier, ramshackle tunes of the past. It's on Momus' label and he probably knows of the perversion they sing about but this time I have not a clue and am forced to enjoy the music on the merits of its sound and I do so quite without effort. Oh and English does make a return on the hidden tracks which turn out to be cheeky covers of Nancy Sinatra and Lionel Richie.
 
Stereo Total
Stereo Total CD
Bobsled. Bob-3.
by Keith McLachlan.
February 13, 1999.


See more about this title.

Out of Stock.
One French gal, surely to supply the sauce, two Italian guys, probably to supply the lust and one German, and well I suppose he is in charge of the cool shades or something. Add them all together and you get a record for all of your moods. There is some kitsch, some trash, some maudlin, some merriness, some weirdness and some stupidity. This is a compilation of the best tracks (as picked by Bobsled) from their first two or three records and it is full on groovy! It will make you feel like you are at the wheel of a '68 Chevy Nova cruising at speeds exceeding the posted limit with your best girly on the vinyl bench seat next to you making rude noises at people who stand at the side of the road wearing pastel blouses and fitted trousers in time to the cheesy programmed beats, mod organs and dervish guitars. They have the euro-cool too which usually is not so cool but somehow they pull it off without being laughable and that is something to make them even more beguiling. There is even a cover of Salt'n'Pepa's 'Push it" included for the kids next to the more sophisticated fare of Gainsbourg who, I am sorta tired of people covering just to look more euro-cool but like I said Stereo Total already possess that cool in spades so they are allowed. Any hour of your life would surely be happier were this the soundtrack to it.
 
Previous page, Next page. First page, Final page. Go to mailorder catalog.
Reviews #377 - #382 (of 460 ), sorted by artist. Sort by date instead. Jump to review #