Sugar - Beaster (Retro Review 1993)

Genre- Alt Rock/Pop

I discovered Sugar a bit late. I think I bought Beaster in 1995. I heard of Sugar before this , but never paid attention because of their name. The name made me envision syrupy Grrrl pop, which was very popular at the time. Then one day, I was riding in the car with a friend and noticed he had a Sugar album. It was Sugar’s first album, Copper Blue. I asked him to play it and he happily popped it in the cd player. He went on to tell me that this is Bob Mould’s new band. He reminded me that Bob Mould was the guitarist and vocalist for Husker Du. I was excited. I liked Husker Du in the 1980’s. Their 1984 album, Zen Arcade is still relevant 21 years later. My friend told me he has a better Sugar album back at home that is much more aggressive. So if I liked Copper Blue then I would love Beaster. After listening to half of Copper Blue I knew I would own Beaster within 24 hours. I couldn’t imagine it being better than Copper Blue. The next day I picked up Beaster, and I was not disappointed. Beaster rocked from beginning to end without ever letting up. Bob Mould was delivering punishing riffs over fuzzed out melodies and tortured vocals. You could feel his very soul emanating through each song. It was a special album for me that connected on all levels. There are only about five albums that have ever done this for me and this is one of them. Beaster is still in my player today and sounds just as fresh as it did 10 years ago. Judas Cradle is almost a perfect song. It is everything I could ever ask for in a song. The guitars are thundering and distorted. His solos are drenched in feedback and the vocals come from the bottom of his lungs. Yet despite all that noise it is sweetly melodic. Kind of like Sugar. Best songs are Judas Cradle and JC Auto.

Rating- 9.5/10

Bob Mould - Body of Song (2005)

Genre- Indie Rock

Bob Mould is back. Well, sort of. His new album Body of Song is promised to be a return to guitar rock. For the most part it is a solid Bob Mould rock album. Mould's last rock album was the Last Dog and Pony Show released in 1998. Since 1998, Mould released only one full length album and that was 2002's Modulate, which was an electronic album. On Body of Song you can still hear the electronics driving the beat. It seems as though he is in a dance club with a band adding texture and layer to his beats. Fortunately, it works quite well on this album. The guitar work is typical Bob Mould fuzz with nice textures and solo work. Let's face it. Bob could play his guitar while asleep. The guy has been doing this for 25 years and he is one of the best in the business. As a major fan of his work with Sugar I do feel let down by most of his solo albums. There was something about Sugar that just grabbed you and held you with a fury. Body of Song is more depressing lyrically than most of his previous work, but the beauty of this is that it captures his mood right now. It seems as though he has fallen on some tough times regarding relationships. Body of Song is a good album compared to Bob Mould's previous solo albums. It is much better than anything he has released post-Sugar. It is very encouraging to hear Bob Mould rock again. I hope he continues this trend in the future. Sugar reunion anyone? Best songs are Underneath Days, Beating Heart the Prize.

Rating- 6/10

Wilderness - Wilderness (2005)

Genre- Indie Rock, Post-Rock

Wilderness are from the Baltimore, Maryland area. They record on the Jagjaguwar label. This is Wilderness’ debut release and it is a good one. Before I talk about how great the music is I must address the vocals on the album. James Johnson really doesn’t sing. He more or less sounds like an announcer. It reminds me of early David Byrne or even at times like Les Claypool’s sing/speak structure. Lyrically Johnson focuses on the abstract and political, which causes you to focus less on his singing and more on his words. This is a good thing because James Johnson cannot sing very well. Around the midway point of the album you are hoping Johnson will stop singing and let this be an instrumental album. Musically, the album is fantastic. It features heavy percussion, crashing cymbals, dynamic bass lines and soaring spaced out guitars. It perfectly blends harmony among the chaos they create. This album is on the heavy side of the burned out Post-Rock movement. Needless to say, this recording is far more challenging and dynamic than The Killers or Interpol, who currently dominate the genre. Perhaps this reflects a shift in the movement. Maybe the New Wave infused sounds of the other 1000 bands that sound like The Killers are shifting more toward the Rock side of the movement. I certainly hope so. If it weren’t for the distracting vocals I could probably rate this album a 9/10, but because of the vocals I must give it a 7/10. The best songs are End of Freedom and Say You Can See.

Rating- 7/10

Goldrush - Ozona (2005)

Genre- Indie Pop/Rock

Goldrush are from Oxford, England and signed to the Better Looking label. Ozona is their second full length release. The album is loaded with many textures of music. There are piano, horns, synths, acoustic and electric guitars all melded into a cohesive pop sound. Robin Bennett provides adequate vocals and at times sounds just about perfect for the wall of sound behind him. Overall though, his vocals are not stellar. The band’s sound reminds me a lot of Grandaddy, though certainly not as quirky. One of the problems I have with this album is how some of the interesting instrumentation gets lost. The piano and horns barely rise above a whisper compared to the guitar. I would like to hear more of those instruments adding depth to the sound. Nevertheless, this is a pretty decent album. Best songs are Counting Song and Let you down.

Rating- 5.5/10

Tullycraft - Disenchanted Hearts Unite (2005)

Genre- Indie Pop, Twee Pop

Tullycraft are based in Seattle, Washington and reside on the Magic Marker label. This is their fourth full release. Until this day I have never heard a Tullycraft song, so I cannot compare this album to their back catalog. Disenchanted Hearts Unite is a decent album. I must tell you that this is not an album I would choose to listen to ordinarily. I'm just not a big fan of Twee Pop. This album, however, is a lot of fun. As I listen, I imagine I am sitting on a beach drinking some cold beverages and absorbing the hot rays of summer. This album makes you feel good. It makes you want to party and just forget about all of life’s stresses. Disenchanted Hearts Unite is loaded with pop hooks, jangly guitars, sweet harmonies, and well, just about everything you want while laying on a warm beach catching a summertime buzz. This is fantastic bubblegum indie pop. If you are a fan of Twee then I would think this album is pretty important in the scope of the genre. Best tracks are Stowaway, Our Last Days In Kansas, The Last Song and Polaroids From Mars.

Rating- 7/10

The Most Serene Republic - Underwater Cinematographer (2005)

Genre- Indie Pop, Rock

The Most Serene Republic are based in Ontario, Canada. Underwater Cinematographer is their debut album on the Arts & Crafts label. The album features both male and female vocals, however only occasionally are they together. Adrian Jewitt tackles the male vocals with enthusiasm. Though it would be safe to say he is not the vocalist that Emma Ditchburn is. Musically, TMSR are straight ahead indie pop. However, some songs contain nice jazz piano elements as well as organ. There is also a good amount of electronic knob turning going on. This band sounds like they are relying to heavily on their influences. The album isn’t cohesive and seems kind forced. It’s almost like they made a conscious decision to sound like Stereolab on one song and like early 90’s Shoegaze on the next. With the exception of a few songs the album left me feeling kind of empty. The songs aren’t bad. They just didn’t do it for me. Not a bad first effort though. The exceptions are The Protagonist Suddenly Realizes What He Must Do In The Middle Of Downtown and also In Place, Empty Spaces.

Rating- 4/10

Longwave - There's a Fire (2005)

Genre- Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Rock

Longwave is a five piece band from upstate New York. There’s a Fire was recorded at Allaire Studios, which is actually a remote mansion in the Catskill Mountains. Perhaps the mansion is haunted because There’s a Fire has a rather haunting sound at times. There’s a Fire features lush strings arranged around soaring, spacey guitars. Vocally Steve Schlitz sounds a lot like Chris Martin of Coldplay. This is not a bad thing. His vocals meld beautifully with the bands dreamy, soaring melodies. This album is a huge progression from 2002’s The Strangest Things. On this album you hear less of their Pink Floyd and U2 influences and hear more of what Longwave is really all about. There’s a Fire is a perfect example of a band finding their voice. Top tracks are River, Heart Attack and We're Not Gonna Crack.

Rating- 7.5/10

Sleater Kinney - The Woods (2005)

Genre- Indie Rock, Punk, Riot Grrrl

Sleater Kinney is an all female 3 piece band. They have spent most of their career on the awesome Kill Rock Stars label. The Woods is their first full length release on the legendary Sub Pop label. This is a definite move up in the indie rock world, but certainly not a sellout as Sub Pop has produced some of the best bands of the last 15 years. The Woods was produced by Dave Fridmann, who is known for producing spacious albums, such as Mercury Rev, Mogwai and the Flaming Lips. It is hard to believe this album was produced by Fridmann. The Woods is raw with heavy aggressive guitars, pounding drums and raw snarling vocals by Corin Tucker. However, upon closer listening you can hear the depth of the music that only Fridmann can bring. Somehow Fridmann was able to add texture to Sleater Kinney’s energetic sound. Lyrically, this album is cathartic, passionate and empowering, which sits nicely with the buzz saw guitars and propulsive beats. The song Let’s Call it Love is an eleven minute adventure that ranges from punk to 1970’s jam band. It is a bit self indulgent, but a nice departure and fun to listen to. This is Sleater Kinney’s best album to date. It seems after eleven years and seven albums they have hit their musical prime. Notable songs are The Fox, Jumpers, Let’s Call it Love

Rating- 7/10

Mercury Rev - Boces (Retro Review 1993)

Genre- Indie Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Noise Pop

To be honest I really can't review this album fairly. Mercury Rev is my favorite band and Boces is my favorite album. I discovered this album by accident in 1994. One day I asked my friend Pete to take a ride with me to the local CD shop. Unfortunately, he had to work, so he asked me to pick up a CD for him instead. He said a friend recommended that he buy the new Mercury Rev album. His friend described the album as "totally tripped out." I returned from the CD shop with Boces and a grunge album that I can't even remember. After listening to the grunge album I pondered whether to open Pete's Mercury Rev CD. You know, just to see how tripped out it really is. What the hell! Pete won't mind if I open it, right? It was around midnight when I slipped the headphones on. My head was very light for a variety of reasons and I was ready to be tripped out. The opening track "Meth of a Rockette's Kick" began to play and my first reaction was that of horrified disbelief. The singer was singing Ba-Ba, Ba-Ba, Ba-Ba and then there was some other un-conventional, un-rock instruments playing. I was just about to hit the stop button when the guitar began to rise. After twelve minutes of this dizzying song I was launched into outer space. I was definitely tripped out. To this day I have remained tripped out by this song and album. Boces represents a musical awakening for me. It wrung the last drops of metal from my soul and an indie rock fan was born. Boces changed my whole perspective on music and in the process made music my passion. I can't explain why it had this effect. I suppose Boces connects with me on a deeper level than any album before or after.

I have exceeded my self imposed review length and I have barely described the album. To make it short, Boces is the greatest album ever. It is noisy, loud and soft, quirky, intelligent, beautiful and well to sum it up, TRIPPED OUT! By the way, Pete never did get this album from me. I kept it and told him to buy his own. Pete eventually forgave me for my selfishness and now 11 years later we can still listen to Boces and feel the same as we did in the summer of 94.

Rating- 10/10

My Education - Italian (2005)

Genre- Post Rock, Indie Rock, Ambient

I guess I am just a sucker for overindulgent, pretentious Post-Rock. My Education is a perfect example of what I like about this genre. On Italian they master the art of building a plodding, lumbering instrumental into an explosion of chaotic noise. Here is an example of a typical song. The song begins with a slow and slightly out of tune piano. Add a gentle guitar and then backfill that with a melancholy violin. Slowly the pace begins to quicken. The percussion rises in volume and becomes more urgent. The piano darkens and becomes louder. The first crackles of feedback are beginning to be heard. The feedback grows in intensity, and distortion starts to tweak all the instruments. The feedback is now at a fever pitch and the guitars explode into a whirlwind of noise that envelopes you. A powerful wall of destruction plows through you like a hurricane…..The chaos subsides back into a gentle piano and the last dying gasps of feedback recede. Now you can relax. Or is it merely the eye of the storm? Wait until the next track and see. Great stuff! Italian is a great album. Notable songs are Snake in the Grass and Green Arrow.

Rating- 9/10

Lapush - Somplace Closer to Here (2005)

Genre- Indie Pop/Rock

Lapush hails from St. Louis, Missouri. This is their debut album on the 456 Entertainment label. Lapush crafts nice Indie Pop songs with a distinctive British feel. It is pretty obvious that the band counts Radiohead as one of its primary influences. Also are hints of influence from the Stone Roses and perhaps Blur. Vocalist Thomas Donovan often sounds like Thom York from Radiohead, which for me is a distraction to the melodic pop they craft. It sounds as though Donovan is trying too hard to copy his influences rather than use his own voice. The album features melodic pop guitar hooks and relatively uplifting beats to move the album forward quickly and perhaps too cleanly. In the end, I find this album to be a tribute to Lapush's musical heroes rather than a distinct new sound from a new band. This album is very respectable and Lapush's potential can be seen in their skill to craft nice hook laden tunes. I would like to see them explore their own music on the next album and capture their very own collective sound. Notable tracks are Sticking Around, Say Something and Tout le Monde.

Rating- 5/10

Red Sparowes - At the Soundless Dawn (2005)

Genre- Instrumental Rock, Experimental, Post Rock

Red Sparowes is composed of members of the bands Isis and Neurosis. The bands bio states that the core group will continue to work with these and other musicians for each recording, allowing subtle and textural progressions in the music, while still keeping the heart of the sound intact. The core sound of Red Sparowes is a slow building guitar epic that breaks over you like a giant ocean wave. It leaves you swirling in a froth of guitar and textures before it releases you and retreats away leaving calm beauty. Vocals are not found on this instrumental album, although human voice is used as an instrument in some songs. After repeated listens you finally understand how the layers of sound build intricate song structures. This is a fascinating band. I can’t recommend any particular song because they all stand out as unique and powerful. I would suggest that if you are a fan of Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor or perhaps My Bloody Valentine then Red Sparowes would probably be exactly what you are looking for.

Rating- 9/10

Coldplay - X & Y (2005)

Genre- Rock, Adult Alternative, Brit Pop

This is a fantastic album. It is nearly perfect and it is certainly a great follow up to A Rush of Blood to the Head. This is also X & Y’s weakness. Lyrically and musically there is very little difference between A Rush of Blood to the Head and X & Y. Chris Martin’s lyrics are vague, which makes it easy for the listener to identify with. Musically, they are clean, seemingly crafting songs easily, but also without challenge for the listener. It took three years for this new album to be released, but it seems as though nothing has changed. On the one hand this is good because A Rush of Blood to the Head is an excellent album. However, it is a bad thing that Coldplay didn’t grow musically in those three years. It makes me wonder if Coldplay just hit the pinnacle of their career. If they dare to change in the future will their fans accept it? I don’t know the answer, but I do know this is a fantastic record. Coldplay has solidified itself as one of the biggest rock bands in the world and they deserve it. The standout tracks are Square One, Talk, Speed of Sound and Low.

Rating- 8/10

Mercury Rev - The Secret Migration (2005)

Genre- Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Dream Pop

This is Mercury Rev's sixth album. Sadly, it is their worst album to date. The Secret Migration continues Mercury Rev's move away from rock music. It is important for a band to evolve musically and nobody can ever accuse Mercury Rev of not evolving. Their earlier work with David Baker on vocals was incredibly noisy and spontaneous. The post David Baker era produced an incredibly powerful ethereal sound that climaxed on Deserter's Songs. The Secret Migration is a flat album. It has very few high peaks and valleys that you come to expect from Mercury Rev. Just when you feel tension building in a song, it seems to end. Gone is the 8 minute epic, replaced with a 3 minute pop song. There are a few good songs on this album. Secret for a Song, Vermillion, In a Funny Way and Arise are stand outs. The rest unfortunately are pretty bland.

Rating- 5/10