American Alternative music reviews

These guys just get better and better, this is a stunning album with unmatched musical and lyrical richness.

Although it isn't marked clearly, it is recorded in HDCD as was their previous album, "Lay Down and Love It, Live". The sound quality of this CD is spectacular, I use it as my reference CD when evaluating audio equipment.

These guys just get better and better, this is a stunning album with unmatched musical and lyrical richness.

Although it isn't marked clearly, it is recorded in HDCD as was their previous album, "Lay Down and Love It, Live". The sound quality of this CD is spectacular, I use it as my reference CD when evaluating audio equipment.

Well, it seems Sonia Dada has managed once again to rip out my heart while making me smile the whole time. Lines like, "Fat Jack had a heart attack, he was slumped over dead behind the wheel of his cadillac" and "She don't wanna talk about it anymore, lost the battle, baby, lost the war," make this an unforgettable ride through the strange, surreal land of Dada. And the rythym, that funky, bluesy, spiritual trademark of S.D. has never been richer than it is in "My Secret Life."

Originally published May 29, 2003
by Mike Marlett

Last year's Near and Dear might be one of the most infectious pop albums of all time.

Ho-Hum goes above and beyond the call of duty for a normal independent band. Based in Little Rock, it not only owns not only its own label - Playadel - but it's own record store - Anthro-Pop.

Founders - and brothers - Rod and Lenny Bryan controlled every aspect of this album. And their love of music and technical control shines through.

The tracks warble, pop and jingle. They pass from light-hearted bouncing on tracks such as "Ordinary People" to the earnest, keyboard-based ballad "Ladyboy." They all seem nostalgic for the big '80s yet as cutting edge as Wilco's much-acclaimed Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

It can be hard to think about. But, being independent, Ho-Hum doesn't really care what you think.

"I'm Wakin' Up" starts the album off with a sliding, hypnotic statement of independence: "I don't give a damn about your rock 'n' roll; I just want to find a key for my keyhole."

It's almost hard to describe how effective the hook of each song is. Happy and mumbled, you haven't mindlessly hummed along with songs like these since Nirvana invited us to sniff the Teen Spirit. But unlike Nirvana, there is no slashing out at the fans. Just some melancholy.

Some tracks are just playful. "Writing Country" scratches along like an old 45, clicks like a typewriter and blurs words to define itself. The official lyrics say, "Took writing/riding lessons; Intellectual Digressions." Writing/riding become one word, a trick that plays out in later lines with "There's an [axe-see-int] That must be mastered; To avoid a 'cred disaster." And that it does.

Ho-Hum/Playadel's website, www.playadel.com.

Near and Dear

Ho-Hum
(Playadel)

A little less than a year ago after the Strokes hysteria had run its course but before we were all subjected to that awful Springsteen record-the national media told readers that it had discovered the site of rock's Next Big Thing. The indie movement of the moment was occurring in, of all places on the planet, Omaha, NE. Big, glossy magazines weighed in with breathless pieces on Omaha bands like Cursive and the Faint, and Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst, he of the perfectly mussed hair, big doleful eyes and increasingly smug social consciousness, emerged as a full-blown Gen-Y cover boy.

The Cornhusker State seemed like a weird place for an alt-rock revival, but not as unlikely, perhaps, as Little Rock, AR. The taste-making rock critics have yet to descend on the city that gave us Clinton, Whitewater and all else that was right and wrong about America of the 1990s. But assuming these things are based on merit, not just p.r., those same critics will soon be trumpeting Little Rock artists like the magnificent Ho-Hum.

Near and Dear, released this month to absolutely no fanfare, is the sixth album from Ho-Hum (brothers Lenny and Rod Bryan, Samuel Heard and Brad Brown). It is a deeply catchy and layered disc, built on an amalgamation of influences, from the Pixies and Sonic Youth to Miracle Legion and XTC. The record comes at a time when the band is celebrating something of a creative renaissance and, while they're at it, enjoying their freedom from the viscous grip of major label glad-handers.

In 1996-not long after Universal Records released Ho-Hum's first album, Local-the band's four members felt they were ready to put out a followup. The label insisted on installing its own producers for the second record, and before long the band decided the situation was unworkable; they opted out of their contract with Universal and began a five-year journey that took them from a mega-major-label to the smallest of small record labels. Two years ago, after releasing a pair of discs with HTS Records, the band started its own label, Playadel; Near and Dear is the label's fifth release.

What's extraordinary about Near and Dear-and it is truly an extraordinary record-is the degree to which the band seems capable of doing almost anything. "I'm-A-Waking Up," the first song, is a swirling, triumphant riff on indifference and self-discovery, constructed around unobtrusive keyboard warbling and rhythmic drumming. It builds slowly, but by mid-song Lenny Bryan lets go with a howling coda for his apathetic youth: "Here's to hands holding you just like they want to hold me/Pray to yourselves you pirates of peace unfaithfully/Shame on myself for sleeping through the start of my life/I'm waking up to the best of peculiar life."

The second track, "Ordinary People," is as infectious as the first, but sonically quite different. Four-plus minutes of buoyant, almost bouncy pop-the guitars jangle and crunch, the synth skips right along-it does more with a simple five-word refrain than has any song in recent memory. "I came on very strong," Lenny Bryan repeats three times, emphasizing every second syllable before adding an emphatic "Indeed."

Elsewhere, the polymath quartet plays straight-ahead punk-tinged rock ("Handheld" sounds like it would've fit in on Death to the Pixies), unabashed love songs ("Corny"), winsome synth-pop ("NearandDear") and gleefully bitter breakup songs ("Land Ho!").

This is an outstanding record from an unpretentious band. There is not a Conor Oberst among them.

Volume 16, Issue 4

For those religious or non, Catholics especially will find the title song to this CD a life-long enjoyable concept. How many of us equate God as having feelings like ours? Also, when pondering this possibility, how wonderful our world would be if we knew a higher being was watching in our midst! Great theology!

After finishing this amazing album, I couldn't help but conclude that if songs like "playing with the light" or "supernova" got airplay on popular radio stations, the brindley brothers would be huge. "playing with the light" is such a nice, laid-back pop CD that's can be played over and over again. The vocals are wonderful, the music is diverse and catchy; its just fun to listen to. which is what music should be like.

so head to the brindley brothers website and download some samples, just find a way to hear it! if you're also interested, check out luke brindleys solo work, its just as good. oh and heres the track list!

1. Playing With the Light
2. Roman Candle
3. Crazy One
4. Slow Burn
5. Hudson River
6. Supernova
7. Harder, Easier, Better
8. Evergreen
9. Breakdown

The Brindley Brothers are amazingly talented! Luke Brindley has a beautiful voice, and the tracks, some co-written by Luke and Daniel Brindley are just gorgeous! Personal favourite tracks on "Playing With The Light" are "Roman Candle", "Hudson River", "Harder, Easier, Better", "Supernova" and the title track "Playing With The Light". Since buying this cd it hasn't left my stereo. If you get the chance to see them live - don't miss it!!! They rock!!!

I am crazy about this album. I listen to it over and over again -- loving it every time I hear it. These guys rock! They should win a Grammy for this album!

The Minutemen came across like the smart-alec younger siblings to their punk/hardcore/alternative labelmates at SST records in the 80s. They put out some of the best music of the decade, toured the country relentlessly in the back of a van and stood out for unpretentiously combining their community college-politics as with their jazz-meets-hardcore (without the fuzzy guitars) approach. They only missed out on the big label gravey train that several of their labelmates rode (Soundgarden, Husker Du and the Meat Puppets) due to the tragic death of guitarist D. Boon.

Though they were best known for the epic "Double Nickels on the Dime", the "Project Mersh" EP was by far my favorite. The 6 songs range from upbeat ("King of the Hill") to bittersweet ("Hey Lawdy Mama") to haunting ("Tour Spiel") to mesmerizing ("More Spiel"). They put some effort into making this their most accessible record (hence the irony of the title)by breaking out of their standard 60-90 second format and adding some backround horns. And it worked.

If you want to get a taste of the Minutemen before splurging on the exhausting "Double Nickels" there is no better place to start.

I'm not a huge fan of the minutemen. I recently heard of them when I was talking to a friend down at the record store. He told me they were really good. I was intrigued so I ticked up this EP. I am a fan of all music with a big collection of CDs and I'm always trying to find something new. The minutemen are all genres of music in one. They go from hardcore/punk to folk to freestyle jazz at a blinding speed. The songs are short but sweet. But thats what makes them so unique and fun to hear. The best song on the CD is "the cheerleaders". It is a classic that is hard to describe. The minutemen may may not be for everybody but since I'm a collector I plan on buying everything they released. But if you like NOFX, Dead Milkmen, CamperVanBeethoven, Husker Du, Jane's Addiction, Bob Dylan, Bens Folds Five, Steve Miller or The Clash you should check these guys out. I can't guarentee you'll love it but these guys have some naturall talent and some guitar solos that will just make your jaw drop. Besides its a nice change of pace. Highly recommended.

Look, its a great deal: (price)or so for 3 albums by a great band. You can't go wrong.

For me, it was nostalgic; I have the albums on casette, but don't seem to play them anymore. But I have two memories of what I listened to while working on my thesis nearly 20 years ago: my casette recording of my neighbor's Speaking in Tongues and Remain in Light, and NPR radio, which on Sundays used to play some guy telling stories about a lake in Minnesota, along with a show playing folk music. (One day after months of listening to this in the background, I was concentrating on my writing less than usual, and noticed that the two shows were one and the same.)

Some of the Talking Heads material seems topical all over again, both before Sept 11 ("Our president's crazy / Did you hear what he said?") and after ("the sound of gunfire off in the distance", "what is happening to my skin?") Some of it is inspiring ("I knew my heart was in the right place / I knew I'd be able to do these things") or makes you think ("By keeping an ideal facial structure fixed in his mind or somewhere in the back of his mind / He thought that he might, by force of will, cause his face to approach those of his ideal ... This is why first impressions are often correct") and some of it just makes you think "what were they thinking?" ("Look over there / Dry ice factory / Good place to get some thinking done").

If you loved them then, you will again; if you missed them then (or weren't born then) try them now.

This is an unbelievable offer. Talking Heads is one of my favourite bands of alltime. Three of their best albums are in this pack (Another great album "More songs about buildins and food" is not in the pack). The price is unbelievable if you remember that the CDs are imported. Talking heads, one of the groundbreaking acts in late seventies and eighties with their best recording in this price is like getting a free gift. My favourite songs like "Once in a lifetime", "Burning down the house", "I zimra" are in this 3 CD pack. It is simply a treat for punk flavoured world music lovers. This should be the buy of your life.

there are several things that make american steel special and unique, but the thing about them that strikes me the most is their honesty. their music just seems so honest and from the heart. sadly, punk rock these days seems to be a style of music or a fashion.....luckily, there are bands around like american steel who have punk attitude to go along with punk music. the have an honesty in their sound that i haven't heard in many other bands. however, don't think that the honesty is the only reason that rouge's march is the best punk rock record i've heard in years. american steel has a raw sound that has a pop sensibility without sounding over-practiced, over-polished, and cheesy. also, their sound has evolved nicely since their last record (which is available from new disorder records). if you like op ivy, leatherface, the clash, or hot water music you will love this album. buy it!

this record is awesome! if you like fifteen, rancid, hot water music or avail this is the album for you. it has the perfect combination of harmony, style, and agression that will keep your fists pumping for weeks! this album is a must buy for anyone that is into underground music.

Firstly, I am not the above reviewer, just another huge fan from Oakland. This is an unbelievabley good album. Kramer has created some of the most vital and innovative rock ever recorded, and with Jad Fair of Half-Japanese fame working along side him, this is up there with the greatest of all Kramer's projects. It is humorous,sad, chaotic and always entertaining. Roll Out The Barrel is one of those albums that you can't wait to get home and listen to at the end of the day. Fantastic.

A fantastic album by two musical enigmas. Every song on this album is worth the price alone. Particular favorites are `California', a haunting tune sung by none other than Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller fame. Their cover of `Help' is truly inspirational, along with such tunes as `Cheerleader's Wild Weekend', a tribute to high school. Buy this right now. Really. Didn't you hear me? Go buy it.

Brigitte Demeyer's sophomore disc "Nothing Comes for Free" is a luxurious banquet. The appetizer is the stunning opening track "Another You" about processing a romantic breakup that she didn't see coming, "I can see a day when time stood still, I can feel the wind from yonder hill, I can hear the sound of bells ring true, but I cannot seem to find another you." The main course contains "Roll the Wheels" with its addictive backbeat & Brigitte's Bonnie Raitt-like vocal, "Whoever said that it would go down easy, what got you thinking you could slide on by?" "Big Boss Man" is a great acoustic blues. The title track "Nothing Comes Free" is addictive with Chris Rossbach's electric lead guitar blazing and Brady Blade pounding out that amazing beat, "Was it better for you baby, when I was down? Were you higher up there with me on the ground? I climb my own mountain & I make my own crown." For dessert, Brigitte sings two sterling covers. Lowell George of Little Feat's "Roll 'Em Easy" is an ambling acoustic treat that allows the lovely melody to float through Brigitte's lovely alto. The disc ends with an unaccredited hidden track of the Lennon & McCartney Beatles' song "Oh Darling" that Brigitte sings playfully with her acoustic guitar. "Nothing Comes Free" is a captivating set that transports us to an era where Bonnie Raitt & Little Feat were cutting edge. It is well worth seeking out. Enjoy!

Brigitte is the original thing. She writes and sings these songs like they are memories and calls to connect. They ring like bells. Songs like Sheryl Crowe or Bonnie Rait might do, but seem even better here. Give it a listen.

Brigitte DeMeyer's Nothing Comes Free is a wonderful album and she and her band are terrific. On this CD, Brigitte's voice and singing style are spectacular....she does things with her voice that I don't think I've heard another artist do. Most of the album is straight ahead rock/blues, with great guitar and keyboard work by several different artists, most notably Chris Rossbach, Ivan Neville and Mike Emerson. I don't usually notice drums and bass much, but on this album they seem to stand out too. Favorite tracks are Roll The Wheels, My Everything (this one has great organ accompaniment), By Yer Side, Big Boss Man, Nothing Comes Free and Ain't The One, but every song is good.

If you like rock/blues, do yourself a favor and buy this CD. I bought it having heard only one full song, My Everything, and it has been even better than I had hoped. And, if you're like me, you'll want to buy Brigitte's first CD, Another Thousand Miles, too, which I think is equally good.

This artist is new to me and one I think we'll be hearing a lot more of. I really love the band and her songs, and her singing just knocks me out!

Bought this on spec after reading the reviews and NOT disappointed. Gotta agree with another reviewer - a bit of Motorhead, a bit of Nugent, but a bit of Nashville Pussy and Foghat too. This is good stuff, straight in your face power bass rock and roll with a sense of humour ... turn it up loud - real loud and there's not a lot more you can ask for!

This is one kiss-ass American Red White and Blue Rock and Roll,From Track 1 on Fasten your Seat belt and enjoy. It's good to Hear some plain old american rock. American Dog Rocks..

First, this is straight ahead American, Power Trio, Red-Neck, Marshall's On 11, Rock 'N' F'n Roll. Having said that, I need to contradict myself and invoke the power of early, Fast Eddie on guitar, Motorhead (being from the UK and all). Here's the recipe for the American Dog:

1. Take 2 cups "Overkill" era Motorhead, 1 cup "Cat Scratch Fever" era Ted, 1 cup Brownsville
Station (Cub Koda's sense of humor is a must) and 1/2 cup of any other classic American Power Trio (Grand Funk, Mountain, ZZ Top, James Gang) you have on hand.

2. Carefully place the ingredients in your Cuisinart food processor or blender.

3. Set the machine on "maximum grind" and then run..., 'cause [it] is gonna explode real good! Got it?

This recipe is not for the faint of heart or eardrum. Don't buy this if you can't play it loud or if you prefer a fine wine to a cold brew. In the day of crystal clear, squeaky clean, bottled water corporate rock...the Dog is a ice cold bottle (or six) of your favorite local beer.
The Dictators asked "Who will save rock 'n' roll?" The answer is the American Dog. Amen