SEE Magazine
Copyright © 1998. All Rights Reserved.
HMV SPINS CD REVIEWS
BY SEE STAFFFrank Zappa Mystery Disc (Rykodisc)
A pile of Zappa ephemera originally released as a fan club thingy from Zappa's mail-order company, Mystery Disc gathers work that spans the '60s. And it seems like anything captured on tape was deemed suitable for release - from live, orchestral freak-outs with the original Mothers circa 1968 to a snippet of the campus radio show Uncle Frankie hosted for a week in 1962. Fun for Zappa history buffs and some nifty music, but mostly a novelty item for obsessive types who want to hear every snork the man ever put to tape.
- Scott Lingley
DJ Spooky (That Subliminal Kid) Riddim Warfare (Asphodel/Outpost/Universal)
DJ Spooky, that subliminal kid, has just dropped his latest blend. This one takes you on another adventure through 21 stunning tracks. Some friends, such as members from Organized Konfusion, Kool Keith, Killah Priest and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore come along for the ride.
The album is a melting pot of sounds and experimentation, with supreme production and sample sequencing skills. Riddim Warfare will be easily approved by a wide audience of hip-hop and electronic music listeners. After just one listen, you'll be addicted.
- Darryl Rodway
Trio Poursuite mais pourquoi? (Lucid Subjazz)
Excellent effort from French sax-bass-drums combo that knows how to play like a band. Quirky original material lets player stretch the limits of the merely expected. Reedman Diego Marion leads the trio marvelously, blowing fierce melodic tenor à la Sam Rivers on the title track, evoking a strong Steve Lacy vibe with his soprano playing on Zwanze. Superb support from the rhythm team, which changes things up without missing the point. And bassist Popol Lavanchy's bowing sings like a second horn on La grande rocque. Buy it and pick your own favorite part.
- Scott Lingley
dada dada (Universal)
The only thing remotely surreal about this fourth album from the California threesome is that I keep hearing different bands in each and every song - and it's not entirely a bad thing. dada slots itself firmly into the pop in guitar pop, with hints of everything from Beach Boys harmonies to Weezer-like riffs to vocals that remind this proud Canadian lad of his much younger days and (gasp!) The Northern Pikes. The album is, on the whole, very sound musically, with the requisite catchy melodies and an attractive depth of sound. Still, the songs tend to stray into an earnestness that rings hollow - dada gets very little mileage out of, at various moments, angsty, lovelorn or pop culturally-aware lyrics. Guitar pop doesn't have to stretch my intellectual boundaries, but it does have to be edgy enough or sugary enough or quirky enough for me to forgive its failings. If I don't listen too carefully, this album almost warrants my forgiveness - though I'd probably follow those surreal threads to my record collection.
- Jason Cobb
United Empire Loyalists Notes From The Underground (Independent)
Remember the Hovel or Zorba's? How about that way far-out be-in at Borden Park. Or that gig with Ten Years After and Santana at Clark Stadium? If you need a soundtrack to reminisce with, this might be it. A collection of long-lost tapes from television and radio shows and gigs at venues such as Edmonton's Zorba's, this thing ain't half bad if you're head's in the right place.
The reason this band had nothing in the archives might have some relevance to some in the current crop of acts claiming to be alternative and indie. The UEL considered themselves part of the underground and they never considered it hip to attach themselves to the establishment controlling the record industry. Though that's an admirable stance to take, it's still a shame. Listening to these tracks, it's clear this Vancouver band certainly doesn't sound out of place next to the big American and British outfits of the '60s.
- Warren Footz
Robyn Taylor amethyst (Independent)
Beautiful. That must have been among the first words in mind when people first heard artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennitt or Ann Mortifee. And St. Albert's Robyn Taylor fits well within that company. With sparse arrangements and a piano and the occasional bass for accompaniment on this disc, there's nothing to hide a voice that's firm, confident and sweet enough to crumble any music fan's heart.
While some more classic sounds might turn a few pop fans away, other elements will attract many more. Taylor has been proving as much at a few recent sets at the Whyte Avenue Chapters, much like when folks first heard Kate Bush sing Wuthering Heights or McLachlan perform Ben's Song. The voice that engulfs the eight songs on this CD leaves the listener anticipating what's yet to come.
- Warren Footz
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