Some similarities here to Suzanne Vega (especially the more industrial/techno sounds of "99.9F"), Poe or Alanis Morissette (though her voice doesn't annoy one nearly as much as Alanis'). Mutiny Records, P.O. Box b, New York, NY 10150-000b. E-mail: Mutinyrec@aol.com
If you missed Dead Dog's Eyeball, don't miss out on this EP. Dead Dog's Eyeball is an album of Daniel Johnston covers (he's had numerous albums, is an interesting songwriter and may or may not be entirely sane). This EP reprises two tracks from the album, includes a live version of one of the album tracks, contains 3 more non-album Johnston covers and one Glass Eye (McCarty's old band) tune. It's an engaging, slightly warped EP of Pop/Rock. If songs from an odd point of view appeal to you, then this is well worth checking out. If it grabs you, then run and find Dead Dog's Eyeball. Bar/None Records, P.O. Box 1704, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Mixture of pop and near-folk stuff. Her delivery is somewhat stand-offish, at least for the first two thirds of this CD. On a few of the latter tracks it seems like Alison finds her soul - just in time to move away from the pop sounds and get on to her rootsier side. This is one of very few instances where I feel a little brighter production could be a boon to the pop songs. Usually I feel studio glitz is way overdone, but not quite enough attention was paid to production early on this release. Still, there are some shining moments on the latter third of this disc. Hot Wings Entertainment, 429 Richmond Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222 http://www.webcom.com/webcore/onewing/radioact/rafolk.html
Versatile trio that handles several facets of rock very well. They can spin an indie-pop tune rather well, reel off some Minutemen/fIREHOSE-ish pop-punk with authority and unleash some extremely loud and brash pure-punk. While they don't sound much like the Minutemen or fIREHOSE, Butterflies are probably closest to those bands in spirit. Ng Records, 622 Broadway #4B, New York, NY 10012
Very nice indie-pop sort of album from this Halifax, NS band. There's a fair amount of hollow guitar sounds and lots of reverb on many of these tracks. This is a very catchy pop album with enough musical twists to keep it interesting. Murder Records, P.O. Box 2372 Halifax Central, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3E4 CANADA
This seems to touch on a lot of the 'alternative' stuff that's been clogging the airwaves for the last few years. It does have a bit more of a psychedelic bent. If you like what commercial alternative radio has become, then this is well worth checking out. Neros Rome, c/o Lazy Bones Productions, 1101 SW Washington, Suite 295A, Portland, OR 97205
Solid psychedelic pop that might border on bubblegum pop if it weren't for the layer or two of fuzz on top of most everything. Necessary Records, 676 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Brit-pop with a bit of a theatrical dark side. Maybe Oasis crossed with Nick Cave. I'd much rather hear Pulp than Oasis or Morrissey. Your mileage may vary.
They've got a fairly pure pop sound. Lots of middle ground here - good harmonies, decent playing, good arrangements - but nothing that will blow you away. Just a solid pop album with midwestern roots. October Records, 6401 Wayzata Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55426. E-Mail: October@designstein.com WWW: http://www.designstein.com/october
Decent lo-fi indie-pop that's a little more wispy than the Spinanes. Silver Girl Records, P.O. Box 161024, San Diego, CA 92176
Ex-Cavedog Stevens sounds like he wants to be John Lennon. There's some pretty good Beatle-esque/Lennon-esque power pop on this album. Q Division, 443 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118. E-Mail: XCavedog@aol.com WWW: http://www.qdivision.com
Leader of Arrested Development goes solo. There's a fair variety of stuff here. A little funk, a little rap, a little soul. Mama says it ain't gonna knock you out, but it's listenable.
Ambient disco? Touches of disco, funk, soul, jazz, etc. mix with an ambient-techno foundation. This works both as a serious listen and just plain sonic wallpaper.
Ex-Young Marble Giants leader does the solo thing. He sounds like a much-less-happy John Wesley Harding in spots, without quite so much of a Brit-perspective and a lot less money spent on production. Nifty stuff!
There's definitely a PJ Harvey influence, though I wouldn't consider Ruby Falls to be an imitator. Cool, fuzz-guitar-driven, all-female alternative rock. Personal Favorite, P.O. Box 841, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. E-Mail: PersFave@aol.com
Hard-driven stuff that edges into territory that Babes in Toyland, Eve's Plum and others have staked out. Yanti Arafin has a little more of a roots-rock and even blues base, but it's a base that you've got to peel away a few layers of noise to discern. Personal Favorite, P.O. Box 841, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. E-Mail: PersFave@aol.com
Mix up some Violent Femmes, Reverend Horton Heat and a dash of the Ramones. Shake, don't stir.
Vodka's full length has echoes and traces of some of the things that PJ Harvey and Liz Phair have been doing. The edges are a little rougher than on their EP from early '95. If you're into female rockers with a bit of an edge, Vodka are probably worth your attention. Oblivion Entertainment, 1660 E. Herndon Ave. Suite 135, Fresno, CA 93720
Pretty good fuzzed-up pop. Somewhat akin to the Pixies and Sonic Youth. Tooth & Nail Records, P.O. Box 12698, Seattle, WA 98111-4698. WWW: http://www.toothandnail.com/
Mix up Chris Whitley, Lyle Lovett, touches of Gospel and Blues, a pinch of Springsteen, a pinch of P-Funk and stir gently. You'll create a musical stew that has some punch, but which lingers delicately on the palate before dissipating. Yum!
Scottish group that do the lo-fi pop thing pretty well. If you're into the Folk Implosion track(s) from the Kids Soundtrack, you'd do yourself a favor by checking this out. K Records, Box 7154, Olympia, WA 98507. http://www.wln.com/~kpunk
Definitely Dylan-esque. Definitely an excellent album. Mike Scott of the Waterboys goes solo with an acoustic guitar.
With members that have spent time with Snakefinger, Splatter Trio, Clubfoot Orchestra and Tom Waits, you can expect interesting things to happen when they get together as the Potato Eaters. This CD was recorded live at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall. Their sound is equal parts aural theater and rock-jazz akin to the above-mentioned groups and Zappa or Beefheart. Cool stuff. There's a Richard Thompson cover, too - what taste! WWW: http://www.racerrecords.com/
Their sound is heavy, but it's not hard. They manage to bring pop melodies and harmonies together with a fair amount of noise - not the first to do it, certainly, but I like their results better than some. I could mention bands like the Beatles, Byrds and Husker Du as reference points, but that wouldn't do Iodine justice.
Solid stuff in a Sugar/Husker Du vein, with warm Texas roots instead of cold Minnesota roots.
Raggedy DIY punk that mixes up Babes in Toyland, L7 and even some of the overhyped grunge movement. Perhaps it's come full circle as two of the three band members here were in Seattle's legendary Dickless. Everything about this recording is deliciously raggedy. Mixed by Mr. Grunge, Jack Endino.