Record Reviews

 
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Reviews #383 - #388 (of 460 ), sorted by date. Sort by artist instead. Jump to review #
 
Kleenex Girl Wonder
Sexual Harassment CD
Full Court Press.
by Keith McLachlan.
December 10, 1996.

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A 24 song 74 minute exercise in pop experimentation that hits the button most times and only strays when their attempts at creating the buzz ala snapper goes a little too monotonous. Apparently someone in this band is only 17 years old, there are 11 members listed on the sleeve so i don't know if that is a benchmark age for the collective or not? The sound is akin to an amalgam of Guided By Voices, The Swirlies and for lazy ears Chris Knox but his requisite madness is not to be found on this album. Instead you get a slew of songs about suburban life, Chicago in particular, that sounds completely invigorating. Highlight tracks include both versions of the title selection, the instrumental "Cuba," "Monsters of the Midway" and the bizarre "Chief Day-glo Bear." Fun.
 
Meek
Lemonade 7" vinyl
Anorak.
by Aurore Bacmann.
December 1, 1996.

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A reward for long years' patience: Meek's single is finally out. A posthumous work since the group sadly split up quite a long time ago already. Before the vinyl consecration, Meek had had an honest career on compilation cassettes and in fanzines, a steady progression, an appearance on the Munch video cassette, supported famous popstars in concert and ended up as a key group of the international pop scene. They had developed their own style of jangly pop, with their quiet ballads and Rickenbacker guitar as a flag. The ep illustrates this perfectly: the guitars and drums are light as a summer breeze and the voice captures the words and melody with infinite sweetness and fluidity. Of course it is too late to regret the split of the group - but it's still time to enjoy 4 excellent songs, one of which being none the less than their hit "Arradon."
 
the Secret Stars
The Secret Stars CD
Shrimper. SHR-80.
by Keith McLachlan.
December 1, 1996.

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The debut full length from the sad boy/girl duo of Geoff and Jodi, following their lovely Shrimper cassette and Simple Machines 7 inch. Essentially a two guitar outfit, this album contains some of the saddest songs you are ever likely to hear. And better to be sad than miserable, the heartbreak is best born out on tracks like "Whisper: Eye" (one of the three songs sung by Jodi) and "Aufheben" and "Untitled #2" where Geoff wrenches his way through tales of love's misadventure. If your idea of beauty is Mazzy Star and their aesthetic and emotionally empty dreamscapes then maybe the stars are not for you, but if you appreciate an honest song over smooth production then here is your treat for many days to come.
 
Ashtray Boy
The Everyman's Fourth Dimension CD
Ajax. 057.
by Keith McLachlan.
December 1, 1996.

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The fifth album from the most prolific Australian around finds him in familiar form. Quiet acoustic strummers dominate the melancholy landscape found here, with only a few more upbeat numbers. Features efforts from both the American and Australian incarnations of Ashtray Boy and with special assistance from Mary Wyer (formerly of Even As We Speak) on the songs "Saying No to Romper Room' and "A Universal Occult," two songs which are among the highlights of this fine disc. Fans of his previous albums will find this album from Mr. Randall Lee to rank among his best, not quite as good as the last Cannanes album, but still pretty swell.
 
Hood
Silent '88 CD
Slumberland. SLR-59.
by Keith McLachlan.
December 1, 1996.


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The second album from these english dreampoppers comes off as a strange hybrid, for all at once it brings to mind Flying Saucer Attack and Boyracer, and when you think about it that is an interesting combination. Flying Saucer Attack because most of the production is murky and the somewhat pastoral songs are fuzz tinged and Boyracer because several of the songs are more scraps than full courses. There are 23 songs most of which buzz by in a wash, but those that hang around for a while are really pretty nice and make you wish they might, in the future, expand their attention span. A fine find on Slumberland records.
 
the Clean
Unknown Country CD
Flying Nun. 346.
by Keith McLachlan.
December 1, 1996.

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Only the third proper lp in the Clean's 15 year career, this lp has the feel of a musical sketchbook, where sometimes disparate ideas are combined to form songs that are usually on balance clever and always interesting. Unknown Country differs from its predecessor, 1994's Modern Rock in that the sound is less dominated by drummer Hamisch Kilgour, so the casual, dark groove of Modern Rock has been replaced with a more artistic, experimental mode. The vocals are spread out equally among the three members and David Kilgour's guitar if not dominant, comes back into play on several songs. The opening instrumental track "Wipe me, I'm lucky" is just the sort of song only the Clean can muster, with a simple guitar line, acentuated by harmonizing vocals and a resonant cymbal starting the album on a diverse trail. Only on "Twist Top" and "Chumpy" are ghosts of the past reflected, and still if perhaps they are filled with less spark than gems from the past, they make it clear that the Clean have indeed cornered the market on charm.
 
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Reviews #383 - #388 (of 460 ), sorted by date. Sort by artist instead. Jump to review #