The El Orbits - Holiday Album
(Freedom Records) Printed in Smash Magazine
Add some zing to your holidays with the fourth release from Texas bingo ambassadors the El Orbits. Like Santa's sack, this kid-safe, mom-approved CD is bursting with seasonal goodness. It not only includes traditional tunes like "The Christmas Song" and "Sleigh Ride," but also the spirited rock 'n' roll of Herschel Berry's "My Little Pretty Lips" and a jauntily festive cover of the Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass classic "Spanish Flea" (a.k.a. The Dating Game Theme). The Dazzling Pete Gray's fabulous honky-tonk piano on "Run, Run, Rudolph" makes the Holiday Album a must-give for tiny tots and bingo mavens alike.
- Poizen Ivy
The Lazy Cowgirls - I'm Goin' Go Out And Get Hurt Tonight
(Reservation Records)
If you're a fan of The Blasters, definitely check this out! Pat Todd has been fronting this underrated California band since 1983, and 20 years later their rollickingly raw, yet introspective barroom rock 'n' roll maintains a power that few can match. If the sound of a lonesome train whistle stirs something deep inside, and you wear your heart upon your sleeve then these well-crafted songs about broken hearts, shattered dreams, and eternal hope will hit you close to home.
- Poizen Ivy
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Spacegirl and Other Favorites
(The Committee To Keep Music Evil/Bomp Records)
There is no doubt that Brian Jonestown Massacre's Anton Newcombe is tuned into his fan network because he reissued the super rare 1993 limited edition vinyl onto CD saving loads of BJM junkies from shelling out $80 or more on Ebay for the rarity, and turning more people onto their unique garage/folk/psychedelic inspired rock and roll. Spacegirl and Other Favorites is a collection of BJM "studio trash" from the early years of the band; a so-called musical notebook of ideas featuring raw, creative works that stand as timeless pieces. The tracks That Girl Suicide and the droning, hypnotic Fire Song make it well worth shelling out your weekly, allotted musical allowance for.
****
- Tracee
The Flash Express - Introducing The Dynamite Sound Of...
(Hit It Now! Records)
The R&B-tinged, trash-boogie trio of frontman/guitarist Brian Waters, drummer Lance Porter and bass player Tommy Branch throws down scorching grooves that you just have to dance to, and they back it up with attitude galore and a sly sense of humor. I've been jamming the Demo EP version of this CD for at least a year, but even after listening to "The Beat That Kills" for what is probably the 1,000th time it still sounds just as fresh as the first time I heard it. Now that they've finally served up a full helping of rock-and-soul, my faves include the funky-twangy cover of Grandmaster Flash's "The Message," "Moving It" (featuring the MTV darling Cody Chesnutt on backing vocals) and the steamy and slithery "Sneak Around."
- Poizen Ivy
The Shakes - Self-titled
(Teenacide Records)
L.A.'s The Shakes are a sugary sweet garage pop band that have created oodles of songs that stick in your head like an over-played childhood jingle. With swirling organs, strategic vocal harmonizing, crunchy guitar riffs, and witty lyrics, their self-titled release leaves you with the giddiness of a Tilt-A-Whirl ride long after one listen. Best yet, just when you think it is over, they gift you with their guilty-pleasure-hidden-track-version of "Baby One More Time" that would even make Ms. Spears smile.
** ½
- Tracee
The Wednesdays - You Will Gasp And They Will Breathe (Reservation Records) Printed in Smash Magazine
These three brothers from the deep South sound like Modey Lemon jamming with an Appalachian church choir. "Mystery" is full of tempo changes, whereas "Sixteen Eighteen" echoes a children's hymn. Expect lots of screaming, banging drums, sizzling guitars and an occasional sprinkling of keyboards from this strangely enlightened garage-rock band.
- Poizen Ivy
Drifter - Lottery Bar
(Self-released, available through Texas Music Round-Up)
This two year-old Houston quartet has released a collection of near perfect melodic pop; introspective without being pretentious. Their fresh and understated sound shuffles smoothly back and forth between songwriters Paul Beebe (also of the El Orbits) and Craig Feazel's two different styles. "Reddish Skies" and "One More Day" slowly swirl with friendly hooks, you just have to dig the Replacements reference in the jangly rocker "Waitress" and the guitar riffs in "Going Away" are reminiscent of Ian Dury and the Blockheads' "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll."
- Poizen Ivy
BloodJunkies- Maladies
(Evil One Music) Printed in Smash Magazine
The first haunting release from the sextet featuring three members of punk band Damnation strikes a spooky cord. This ominous and unearthly spaghetti-western/goth mutation is melancholy and savagely delivered. Vocalist/acoustic guitarist Shaun Kama's passion for music is evident in his chillingly sensitive and moody songwriting style and the band has the forte to do it justice.
- Poizen Ivy
Greta Gertler - The Baby That Brought Bad Weather
(Self-released)
Greta Gertler, Australian singer/songwriter/pianist, currently living in New York, wowed the 2001 Critics Music Choice Contest as the winner of best Indie Song with the mesmerizing "Everyone Wants To Adore You." Her current endeavor, "The Baby That Brought Bad Weather," recorded over the past three years, proves that she has a knack for writing songs that mesh clever, narrative lyrics with 70s pop-pleasant melodies. This is the perfect soundtrack for Sunday afternoon drives, rainy days, or just when you feel it necessary to escape into a vivid, musical, storybook world.
***
- Tracee
Daikaiju - Self-titled
(Migoto Radiation)
Dueling guitarists Dymaxion Lee and Secret Asian Man, along with drummer Mr. Nein and bassist Brain Conflict have created a monster of a debut album. Their moody East-meets-West psychedelic instrumental surf-rock is heavy on both hooks and reverb. It's the perfect soundtrac'k for a road trip to a slightly sinister destination, or simply soaking up the desert sun like a radioactive lizard.
- Poizen Ivy
The Tyde - Twice
(Rough Trade)
Los Angeles band, The Tyde, wins my award for the best summer soundtrack of 2003 with Twice. They bottle the essence of lazy, sunny afternoons driving down the Pacific Coast Highway without a care in the world through their sparkly, jangly, and lyrically amusing tribute to Mother Ocean and Father Weed. Sounding like a cross between Tom Petty and Ian McCulloch, Darren Rademaker's vocal ramblings help bring a slice of the California surf that is sure to be missing from your life.
****
- Tracee
