Alternative Rock music reviews

Yazbek's art is bright, shiny powerpop with dabs of jazz here and there. Damascus is tighter than Tock and almost as good as his brilliant debut The Laughing Man. I love to hear a mature artist who knows how to use all the tools of great songwriting.

If you're a fan of thoughtful, intelligent music by the likes of new XTC (Mummer through Apple Venus 2), Matthew Sweet, Jason Falkner, or Sting then Damascus is for you.

Buy it.

I only write reviews for albums that everyone should know but probably never will. Buy it.

There is a genius out there by the memorable name of David Yazbek. If you haven't yet heard of him, then you should have. With a Tony nomination for writing the Broadway version of "The Full Monty" under his belt, in addition to his history of writing comedy for David Letterman, Mr. Yazbek has been busy juggling successful projects. And this new album is no exception. With "Damascus", Yazbek plays with styles of funk, jazz, swing music, and rock'n roll.

Most of the tunes are clever humor stories, including his personal misadventures in "Montgomery, Alabama" and what happened to him on a "Strange Warm Day". On close inspection of songs like these, the attitude appears sullenly morbid and sad. The same can be said for his fourth track, "Ultrasad", which reminds us, "A little bit of tragedy can give a life the spice." Oddly enough, the songs, when sung with Yazbek's cheerful and spirited singing style, exhibit elements of irony and wit throughout the recordings.

While Yazbek injects comedy into some of his stories of helpless situations, there are other tracks that sparkle with poignant symbolism. "2 Crows" is one such melody about a pair of crows waiting out the pace of life with enthusiastic observation. While it may seem an odd choice of perspective, the lyric "Blind crow bragging about the power of sight" reminds me of tall tales and the predominant use of a phony disposition. "A Million Miles" is another song rich in the use of effective metaphor. Here, Yazbek tells us, "The baby sees the road and starts the journey of a million miles." As the melody continues through the accompaniment of Yazbek's pleasant style of piano playing, we are given additional colorful imagery. A "piano with the yellow on the keys" and "a picture of a man up on the wall" add to the scenery that begin a journey of "A Million Miles".

How else can I explain this album? It's hard and I feel like I can't quite put my typing finger on what it is that makes this album so fun. You're just going to have to give it your own personal test to fully appreciate his manner of cheerful pop and moving imagery.

As a music reviewer for a magazine, it has been my distinct pleasure to meet Ben and the boys on more than one occasion. I have been to see them pretty much every time they make it to my area, and I will see them again, on Jan. 7th (in the Northern VA area). They are the most genuine group of guys you'd ever want to meet, and this is a quality that shines through in their recorded music. If you ever get the chance to see them live, walk up and chat. You'll be amazed at the warmth of character that radiates from these gents.
On to the CD:
This CD is a must-have, and worth every penny if you like country, Rockabilly, roots, Americana, or just good-guys.

I must recommend, however, that if you've never heard CSI (Cigar Store Indians), that you get the self-titled CD before you listen to this one, in order to gain more insight into CSI. My personal preference is for the more rootsy sound, which can be heard on several, but not all, of the tracks on this CD.

I saw this group as the opening act for the Squirel Nut Zippers and was I impressed. You can help but move and dance to the sound. Great lead guiter by Jim Lavender. I have all their CD's and hope to get the new one, Built of Stone this weekend. They are probably one of the hardest working bands.

About 10 years ago a friend and I went down to hilton head island to celebrate his 21st birthday. So as you can imagine...many bars were closed by us. Anyway, we stumbled into a hotel bar one night as we had heard, from the street mind you, an incredible sound coming from this place. When we walked in their was a barmaid, and one other customer in the place...practically empty. Except for this band on stage and playing away as if there was a full house. We sat down and ordered our drinks and listened to these fellas play ALL NIGHT! They were amazing! When they FINALLY put their instruments down we bought a round of drinks for them. We sat and talked about the plans for the big time. I told them if and when they put an album out I'd be first in line. But as you can guess...time slipped away and I lost track of these talented guys. But what a surprise! I've found them again AND they have two albums out!! So without even listening to the tracks...I've purchased both...so should you.

The Femmes did a major turn on the course of rock and roll here. Following up the legendary (well today it is) self-titled freshman album must have not been an easy task. One obviously they were not up for, so they made a new sound. Still Femmes at heart, but now with electric guitar, jazz influence, detailed piano riffs, horns, and bipolar lyrics. The album even has parts of Gano screaming to himself in an autistic manner. It goes in 5 different directions at once and has a much less "high school dork looking for fame" feel. This is the dork that grew up, went to Nam', now is 35, living alone, and going to high school sporting events. Gano's lyrics are at top form here and more honest than ever. The tunes have become more in depth and infectious as the common cold. What can only be described as awkward moments control the album from Gano quotes such as " Listen to me baby - Can you keep a secret for me? - Make sure no one finds out - cause then the lights will go out - and I will find you out - and I will cut you up - Uh hmm, don't ask me why - because, I said, I said, I said - I'm gonna do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can." in 'Never tell' and " I led her to a hole, a deep black well - I said "make a wish, make sure and not tell - and close you're eyes dear, and count to seven - You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven" in 'Country death song'. Hallowed Ground does have calming moments such as 'I know it's true...' which is a slow paced love song where Gano mutters half the song like a love lore adult. The bands comfortableness with they're strangeness and Gano's lack of social norms make this stand out like a communist flag draped over a former U.S. presidents grave. It also gives the Femmes the quirkiness that makes them the Violent Femmes. Don't confuse them as a joke band. These femmes - they're funny guys, but they're real Bad@ss's when it comes to rock.
Music - 4 1/2 Vocals - 4 1/2 Consistency - 4

one thing that i love about violent femmes is that they come from wisconsin where i live also i love that there is such variety in their music this album for instance is a great mix of music my fave songs are "black girls" "i hear the rain" and "never tell" all 3 of these songs are great punk-rock like songs and the rest of the album is great too

I am always hearing critics say that the self-titled album from these guys is "the only album by [VF] that's worth owning". I get the feeling that either this recording fell on deaf ears, they didn't really listen to this, or something along the lines of trying to sound cool. But really this is the best possible way to follow up the timeless debut, and the music here is equally as well-aged. Originally, Brian Ritchie did not want to be involved with Gordon Gano's Christian songs, so the first album had none, and this one has it. Seen as a parody at first, but that's completely understandable. After all, how do you know it's sincere when put into the rest of the context of "Black Girls"? (Speaks in a real un-PC manner). However, I feel that it is one of the greatest tracks on "Hallowed Ground", a change in pace from others here and even the debut, with more of a jazz influence than before.

That's another great thing about this album: The guys step outside of their folk-punk shell on this album. We get a well-done country song about a murder via drowning ("Country Death Song"), some more of Ritchie's xylophone playing ("I Hear the Rain"), as well as other really great moments. The album is far matured from the debut. While that one made me feel great about my youth, "Hallowed Ground" reminds me of just life in general and the things that go on in it. Oh, it's title track is yet another masterpiece in this somewhat short album (9 tracks total, but you get all quality).

Who knew a country-jazz-Appalachian Folk-etc. type album could have balance and not seem like a gimmick! And even if you don't like it the first time, I think it will grow on you if you give it time. You do not have to be religious to appreciate the imagery in here.

The Femmes did a major turn on the course of rock and roll here. Following up the legendary (well today it is) self-titled freshman album must have not been an easy task. One obviously they were not up for, so they made a new sound. Still Femmes at heart, but now with electric guitar, jazz influence, detailed piano riffs, horns, and bipolar lyrics. The album even has parts of Gano screaming to himself in an autistic manner. It goes in 5 different directions at once and has a much less "high school dork looking for fame" feel. This is the dork that grew up, went to Nam', now is 35, living alone, and going to high school sporting events. Gano's lyrics are at top form here and more honest than ever. The tunes have become more in depth and infectious as the common cold. What can only be described as awkward moments control the album from Gano quotes such as " Listen to me baby - Can you keep a secret for me? - Make sure no one finds out - cause then the lights will go out - and I will find you out - and I will cut you up - Uh hmm, don't ask me why - because, I said, I said, I said - I'm gonna do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can." in 'Never tell' and " I led her to a hole, a deep black well - I said "make a wish, make sure and not tell - and close you're eyes dear, and count to seven - You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven" in 'Country death song'. Hallowed Ground does have calming moments such as 'I know it's true...' which is a slow paced love song where Gano mutters half the song like a love lore adult. The bands comfortableness with they're strangeness and Gano's lack of social norms make this stand out like a communist flag draped over a former U.S. presidents grave. It also gives the Femmes the quirkiness that makes them the Violent Femmes. Don't confuse them as a joke band. These femmes - they're funny guys, but they're real Bad@ss's when it comes to rock.
Music - 4 1/2 Vocals - 4 1/2 Consistency - 4

one thing that i love about violent femmes is that they come from wisconsin where i live also i love that there is such variety in their music this album for instance is a great mix of music my fave songs are "black girls" "i hear the rain" and "never tell" all 3 of these songs are great punk-rock like songs and the rest of the album is great too

I am always hearing critics say that the self-titled album from these guys is "the only album by [VF] that's worth owning". I get the feeling that either this recording fell on deaf ears, they didn't really listen to this, or something along the lines of trying to sound cool. But really this is the best possible way to follow up the timeless debut, and the music here is equally as well-aged. Originally, Brian Ritchie did not want to be involved with Gordon Gano's Christian songs, so the first album had none, and this one has it. Seen as a parody at first, but that's completely understandable. After all, how do you know it's sincere when put into the rest of the context of "Black Girls"? (Speaks in a real un-PC manner). However, I feel that it is one of the greatest tracks on "Hallowed Ground", a change in pace from others here and even the debut, with more of a jazz influence than before.

That's another great thing about this album: The guys step outside of their folk-punk shell on this album. We get a well-done country song about a murder via drowning ("Country Death Song"), some more of Ritchie's xylophone playing ("I Hear the Rain"), as well as other really great moments. The album is far matured from the debut. While that one made me feel great about my youth, "Hallowed Ground" reminds me of just life in general and the things that go on in it. Oh, it's title track is yet another masterpiece in this somewhat short album (9 tracks total, but you get all quality).

Who knew a country-jazz-Appalachian Folk-etc. type album could have balance and not seem like a gimmick! And even if you don't like it the first time, I think it will grow on you if you give it time. You do not have to be religious to appreciate the imagery in here.

The Femmes did a major turn on the course of rock and roll here. Following up the legendary (well today it is) self-titled freshman album must have not been an easy task. One obviously they were not up for, so they made a new sound. Still Femmes at heart, but now with electric guitar, jazz influence, detailed piano riffs, horns, and bipolar lyrics. The album even has parts of Gano screaming to himself in an autistic manner. It goes in 5 different directions at once and has a much less "high school dork looking for fame" feel. This is the dork that grew up, went to Nam', now is 35, living alone, and going to high school sporting events. Gano's lyrics are at top form here and more honest than ever. The tunes have become more in depth and infectious as the common cold. What can only be described as awkward moments control the album from Gano quotes such as " Listen to me baby - Can you keep a secret for me? - Make sure no one finds out - cause then the lights will go out - and I will find you out - and I will cut you up - Uh hmm, don't ask me why - because, I said, I said, I said - I'm gonna do what I can, do what I can, do, do, do, do what I can." in 'Never tell' and " I led her to a hole, a deep black well - I said "make a wish, make sure and not tell - and close you're eyes dear, and count to seven - You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven" in 'Country death song'. Hallowed Ground does have calming moments such as 'I know it's true...' which is a slow paced love song where Gano mutters half the song like a love lore adult. The bands comfortableness with they're strangeness and Gano's lack of social norms make this stand out like a communist flag draped over a former U.S. presidents grave. It also gives the Femmes the quirkiness that makes them the Violent Femmes. Don't confuse them as a joke band. These femmes - they're funny guys, but they're real Bad@ss's when it comes to rock.
Music - 4 1/2 Vocals - 4 1/2 Consistency - 4

one thing that i love about violent femmes is that they come from wisconsin where i live also i love that there is such variety in their music this album for instance is a great mix of music my fave songs are "black girls" "i hear the rain" and "never tell" all 3 of these songs are great punk-rock like songs and the rest of the album is great too

I am always hearing critics say that the self-titled album from these guys is "the only album by [VF] that's worth owning". I get the feeling that either this recording fell on deaf ears, they didn't really listen to this, or something along the lines of trying to sound cool. But really this is the best possible way to follow up the timeless debut, and the music here is equally as well-aged. Originally, Brian Ritchie did not want to be involved with Gordon Gano's Christian songs, so the first album had none, and this one has it. Seen as a parody at first, but that's completely understandable. After all, how do you know it's sincere when put into the rest of the context of "Black Girls"? (Speaks in a real un-PC manner). However, I feel that it is one of the greatest tracks on "Hallowed Ground", a change in pace from others here and even the debut, with more of a jazz influence than before.

That's another great thing about this album: The guys step outside of their folk-punk shell on this album. We get a well-done country song about a murder via drowning ("Country Death Song"), some more of Ritchie's xylophone playing ("I Hear the Rain"), as well as other really great moments. The album is far matured from the debut. While that one made me feel great about my youth, "Hallowed Ground" reminds me of just life in general and the things that go on in it. Oh, it's title track is yet another masterpiece in this somewhat short album (9 tracks total, but you get all quality).

Who knew a country-jazz-Appalachian Folk-etc. type album could have balance and not seem like a gimmick! And even if you don't like it the first time, I think it will grow on you if you give it time. You do not have to be religious to appreciate the imagery in here.

This is one of my all-time favorite albums. It's perfect date music. VERY sensual. Why did Jai never release a 2nd album? Does anyone know? I'm ready.

It's been so many years ago I bought this and now stumbling on it at such a great price,well,I just can't believe it..This is a unique album and I understand why most americans don't get it.His voice is alittle to genteel for our ears.Try and have an open mind and you will be rewarded with a real gifted singer.Most of our pop singers today(not all) couldn't sing their way out of a wet paper bag.Thus is the reason they always sing over a track.This was and still is one of my faves.Give a listen.For the price how could you go wrong?

Every once in awhile an artist comes along that is unique, fresh and very talented. In 1997, this person proved to be Brittish singing sensation Jai. With his combination of boyish charm and androgenous style voice, Jai seemed on the fast road to sucess when his album first debuted. He even co-wrote one of the best tracks on the album, if not certainly one of the most catchy("I Need Love"). Jai's rendition of the classic tune "Cry Me a River" is even more beautiful and the arrangment is music to one's ears. Many people are perplexed at the notion of why this young man never released another album, and quite frankly I would love to ask him that question myself. He was everything you wanted an artist to be: polite and well mannered, good looking, good singer live( a real testament to an artist today) and even played the piano. Why do talents like this get weeded out in this industry. If anyone out there who knows Jai or is/was affiliated with his record label, I really think you had something special on your hands, but because it wasn't "Platinum" (the only color the industry cares about). They dropped him. How would we feel today if Berry Gordy of Motown didn't allow artists to grow and expand musically, but just wanted the same formula over and over again? That's not music, that's an assembly line, and that's where music is going if people like Jai aren't given the time to grow as artists

This CD starts out great, with "I'd Like To Know", a really energetic power-pop song and gets even better with "Caught By The Fuzz". It's a song about getting arrested, but instead of the usual bravado, it's a song about fear and shame, which makes it very uniquely human. I think it's an absolutely excellent song, that's way unappreciated.

For the rest of the CD, well, the band has plenty of energy and enthusiasm, but unfortunately, that isn't enough to make the rest of the songs all that worthwhile. The band has a few more moments, but I found this to be basically a two song CD.

The first two songs are 5+ star songs. The whole CD merits 3 1/2 stars, so in the generous Amazon rating system, it gets 4 stars from me.

Went to a concert here recently and it was the best one of my life. This cd is a little punkier with faster beats then other ones, still completely awesome.

Lot's of fun yet again, then at the end winds down to cool things off for the next supergrass cd which is "In It For The Money"






I Love Supergrass, Never Change

Seven years touring with John Mellencamp, playing second fiddle, left Lisa Germano with a lot to write about and a disaffection for the mainstream. Two solo albums down the line she joined forces with Ivo Watts-Russell at 4AD, who remixed tracks from her Happiness album for the EP Inconsiderate Bitch, and provided the platform for her next album in 1994, Geek The Girl, a skilful and uncompromising semi-autobiographical exploration of sexual conflict and abuse.�

... A Psychopath was inspired by her personal experiences with a stalker, and samples a 911 call made while confronting an intruder.

"this is the story of geek the girl," she writes, "a girl who is confused about how to be sexual and cool in the world but finds out she isn't cool and gets constantly taken advantage of sexually, gets kind of sick and enjoys giving up but at the end still tries to believe in something beautiful and dreams of still loving a man in hopes that he can save her from her s*** life........ha ha ha what a geek!"

Renowned for her superb session work as a violinist, Lisa Germano, during the 1990s, made a number of solo albums fo the 4AD label. These albums are by all accounts very challenging because of the dissonant guitar lines and the lack of an ordinary rhythm section, which gives them a very sparse tone.

"Geek The Girl" is typical of this, and from the beginning it is a difficult album which anybody is bound to hate on first listen.

The opener "My Secret Reason" begins with a melodic organ lick before we see the truly dark hue of this album in the first guitar chords. Germano's warm but sparingly mixed vocals give her lyrics of despair a very distinctive feel. "Trouble" and the title tune move in a slow, moody manner but the harmonium-like sound that dominates has a very haunting, brooding character. "Cry Wolf" shows Lisa making some quiet guitar moise (never as obvious or loud as David Roback) over a very simple organ line.

Only on two tracks, "Sexy Little Girl Princess" and the closer "Stars", does the tone change (in both cases moving towards a more upbeat rhythm thus these two tracks are the least inaccessible in the album). The former, however, does possess a very incomprehensible but emotional vocal (hear the feeling in Germano's shrieks of "little girl"). The beautiful strings of "Phantom Love" have the same intoxicating effect.

The whole concept of the album is romantic despair, and it shows in a song like "Cancer Of Everything". This makes "Geek The Girl" so chesive as to be really a concept album, and its haunting tones should grow on a listener after repeated listens. Don't buy this album unless you love hard work understanding music.

If you do though, it is strongly recommnded.

Some records are just destined to be overlooked by the masses in their own time -- Aimee Mann's Whatever, The Velvet Underground's debut, Shannon Wright's Maps of Tacit -- and Lisa Germano's Geek the Girl is one of them. Everyone in the rock community who did hear this record immediately acknowledged its importance (four stars in Rolling Stone); this is one album that definitely gets under your skin and carves its own unique place in the world during its first few seconds.

Germano, best known for her wonderful violin and mandolin work with John Mellencamp (best showcased on the excellent, rootsy Human Wheels album), is all over the map on her own records, playing most of the instruments and penning all the songs. She has a great ear for unnatural, disturbing musical beauty: Her own voice is a fragile, broken and sometimes sarcastic croon, kind of like Neil Young's in its often offkey pitch, but still a seductive one, and not entirely pessimistic. Germano's self-deprecating delivery is enormously affecting, but also very unnerving, as she always reveals pieces of you here and there. "My Secret Reason" opens the album heavily with an almost psychotic whirr of distorted sounds. Guitar? Keyboard? With Germano, it's always hard to tell instruments apart. "Trouble"'s lilting melody and light-fingered instrumentation evoke a phantasmic carousel ride, kind of like Lauren Hoffman with a massive dose of psychosis thrown into the mix; the title track is downright frightening in its suicidally depressed lyrics, ghostly vocal arrangement (Germano's multi-layered vocals are simply brilliant here), and slivers of chiming, funereal electric guitars. "...A Psychopath" best sums up the album...a journey into the mind of Germano's main character, a repressed, depressed, and self-aware woman whose demons appear to be coming alive by virtue of suffocating presence.

There is no other sonic experience quite like this album. Not the heavy soundscapes of My Dying Bride, not the pots-and-pans experimentation of Miranda Sex Garden, and not the equally worthy and eccentric Shannon Wright. Geek the Girl is worth owning just for its unique personality.

It had been several years between this album and Evan and Jaron's last self titled cd. Needless to say some fans got a little antsy wondering where these guys were. I myself was one of these fans. It was quite to my surprise when I learned that they had left their record label and were taking on the music world alone. After eagerly awaiting the new album which would later become "Half Dozen" finally the day came when I got my ears wrapped around the hip sounds.

Overall the experience was very enjoyable. Six brand new songs, that all pretty much revolved around relationships made up the cd, with three fillers from three older albums. All the new tracks really make you wish that Evan and Jaron would have shown their faces on the music scene a little sooner. Also, the small number of new songs really leaves you wanting more. If you are new to Evan and Jaron this should be no problem considering that there are the three bonus tracks. However if you are a longtime fan then they are just the same old songs that you know and love. Favorites of mine include Through the Blue, and All That I Wanted. Also, anyone who hasn't witnessed the bonus track, Couldn't Care Less About is in for a treat.

By all means, the album or ep, whatever you want to call is worth the purchase. I call it an ep and the price resembles a cd of that size. Whether you heard them a couple years back or are looking for some good pop rock to sink your teeth into this is the way to go!

I love this whole cd. My absolute favorite is the Another Mistake. Its a great up tempo song you can really dance too. Same for What She Likes. On the slow side they have Through the Blue.
Six new tracks and three tracks from prior cds. A Great bargain for a great album.
If you liked, Crazy for This Girl or From My Head to My Heart, you'll love this one too.

There are some good tracks on this CD. The music should get a 5 . Killer playing, but the singing ruined this band. That's all there is too it. Over produced vocals from a singer that tried WAY too hard. this is the result of what over production does to musicians that are based in underground music. it just doesn't work. If Walter Schreifels or Page Hamilton was singing on this album , and the production was cut down, this would have flattened anything at the time. The mid 90's were confused with the start of the rap/metal nonsense and the end of the "grunge" movement. Tom Capone is a brilliant guitar player and Peter Mengede was from Helmet, what more needs to be said. it's too bad they chose the slick production and vocalist. I do like some tracks ( swimming,Ride Down) and he's not too bad on some tracks but overall, it just didn't work.

In my opinion, whenever Tom Capone is involved it's always good. Bold, Quicksand and Instruction showcase his brilliant guitar playing. Handsome is no exception, this is a really a good album all the way through. But Capone is not alone on this one N.Y. Hardcore veterans Peter Mengede(Helmet) and Pete Hines(Murphy's Law, Cro-Mags) are in the fold and together they write compelling, well structured anthems that bands today only wish they can write. What more can you ask for. The only bad thing about Handsome is, this is their only release.

Characteristically void of any blatent guitar solos but making up for it with time changes, interesting lyrics, and a tight sound, Handsome just blew me away when I first listened. This was the type of music that I had been longing for and finally found. It's true that the musicianship by itself isn't all that great but with riffs this phat nothing more is needed! The songs rock with so much intensity that even the not so catchy ones begin to grow on you quickly and when the slower songs come along, the heavy guitars remain intact and just add to all the crunch and impact.

Hard and Heavy!

Highly recommended