You know that saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" I wish I could apply that here, but hey, I figure I should have to give an album review of at least 40 words. Reminds me of PANTERA, which is a very bad thing, as that means it's nothing new. I pray the new millenium weeds out bands with this type of "hard" music. SEVENDUST have some stuff on this that has a DEFTONES feel so DEFTONES fans should be into it. Personally, I would rather choke on KORN than this.
GUIDED BY VOICES * DO THE COLLAPSE (TVT/UNIVERSAL)
GBV has gotten a lot of hype - I'm cool with that. From their indie lo-fi history to this, GBV's hi-fi debut. Check out the opening track TEENAGE FBI (it sounds kinda kooky). RIC OCASEK of THE CARS fame produces! This is a nice album. It's like light listening to relax and maybe even reflect to. Some songs are calm and catchy, weird eh? I'm sure their older material is way better than this stuff (never heard their previous material), but hey, this is the album that had money to put into it, right? Money means professionalism, 'cause that's the way it is. I'm sort of confused trying to review this (my mind's more on how the band was all indie lo-fi DIY - and where it's at now). It's worth buying man, so fuckin' get it and sleep easy. GBV is da shit.
BEAVER * LODGE (MAN'S RUIN)
BEAVER has some cool, groovin' acid/pot rock type music (being an Amsterdam band would be their main reason) I couldn't care for the vocals, as they seem unnecessary - they are kinda hard to make out, too. BEAVER is a band that build's a quick dam in your ear canal, and starts chewin' away any boredom you may have grown before listening to them. This is music for the pre-millenium/apocalypse (perfect timing to release this!) I hope to see a successful future for BEAVER, so long as they do something about their vocals - either get rid of them or a different singer/style, something. The music should definitely be thrown on a sci-fi or action movie score/soundtrack. BEAVER gets a tails up from me (just don't try nothin', I'm straight)
MEN OF PORN * PORN AMERICAN STYLE (MAN'S RUIN)
Track one is one big rock out. A mellowed out super jam that clocks in at almost seventeen minutes. A nice way of introducing the band. Dare I note garage/grunge? I see the JESUS LIZARD and MELVINS type of music with effects and all happenin' here - fans of those bands may want to check this out. I realize some instant moshing potential with DANCING BLACK LADIES - it has this DR. WHO (the series theme music) and like a drowned out hardcore thrash sound to it, which makes it feel all right. TEABAGGIN' reminds me a little of a BUTTHOLE SURFERS cup of tea-pee. BALLAD OF THE BULLDYKE and PYLEVEN have a PRIMUS style bass. Bad MOP, sounding like so many other bands! Oh well, they're trying right?
SONS OF OTIS * TEMPLE BALL (MAN'S RUIN)
If these are his sons, the thought of what OTIS sounds like frightens me. A thick, warm monster sound. Too large a dose of heavy, slow paced rock. The effects they use at the beginning and end of songs are a plus, it wakes you up before putting you back to sleep. There are people into this type of music, so they'll dig it really deep. Oh dear, they cover MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, and hey, it gives it a different perspective, man, that voice perverts.
BRANT BJORK * JALAMANTA (MAN'S RUIN)
Da music of da ghetto, with all it's 70's soul and nowadays want of relivin' that funkin' era. FUMANCHU/KYUSS man BRANT BJORK whips out this jivin' 12 tracker. No, it's so much more than all that, I just don't know what to write, it's a different slice of bread. Slow drivin' light funk with vocals taking a more direct, no jive turkey nonsense approach.
