Eclectic Vibes - September 2008
CD/DVD Micro Reviews by Andrew Frey
DRINKING FOR CHARITY
On 8/20 at High Noon Saloon was “Rockin’ for the Red Cross,” an event with proceeds going to Wisconsin flood relief via Red Cross. www.redcrossgig.com
The drink special of the evening was a Scotch Ale who’s sale benefitted the relief cause. Needless to say, we were happy to oblige the fund and quench our tastes in one fell swoop. “Another beer for charity!” was the call of the evening.
The show lineup was great, with Bu.R.P. (ex-Run Side Down) sporting their groovy techno funk jams, followed by a much improved; now quite formidable Elf Lettuce and their solid traditional jam sauce. Baghdad Scuba Review was hot on their tails with each member donning white shirts with red crosses on them and blasting through their impressive jam rock offerings.
Well worth the night out and about.
Drown Out The Daylights
Record Label: Crustacean Records
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 8
Highlighting the cream of their musical crop, Crustacean Records (Wisconsin’s most prolific and longest lasting punk/indie label) provides us with a double DVD visual vanguard for 10 of their most amazing performers. Over 2 ½ hours long with tons of extras.
Reader Votes: 0
Free Falls Burning
Frenzy Of The AbsoluteRecord Label: Conspiracy Records
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 7
This incessantly slow grind and churn outfit pulls out achingly somber yet meditative sonic soliloquies that would leave few standing. Time warping trance etheric tonalities.
Reader Votes: 0
Zach Hill
Astrological StraitsRecord Label: Ipecac Recordings
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 9
This tumultuous solo project by “Hella” drummer provides a blizzard of percussion and inventive sideline groove activities that are turbo-charged up by an eclectic selection of guest musicians, including Les Claypool, Jonathon Hicshke and Steve Borth. Zowie!
Reader Votes: 0
HR (of Bad Brains)
Hey WellaRecord Label: DC Underground
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 6
This legendary and highly influential Bad Brains vocalist and front man extends his lengthy career (starting in 1978!) with another solo offering, utilizing their time tested signature juxtaposition of hardcore punk and reggae, with hip hop inflections. A slick and well produced release, yet I am under-whelmed.
Reader Votes: 0
Infernofonic
Spark It UpRecord Label: Godlyke Distribution
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 7
Empowered female vocals from Elaine Tuttle lead the charge for this hard rockin, metal outfit. The big rock riffs and punchy drums blast out some decent grooves, but they shine when flirting their edgier, experimental facets.
Reader Votes: 1
Emory Joseph
Fennario - Songs By Jerry Garcia and Robert HunterRecord Label: Iris Records
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 8
Dead fan or not (and I’m not) these 12 cherry-picked tunes culled from Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter’s considerable repertoire form a charming selection of what these legendary song writers and performers are all about. Well produced, good sounding and chock full of guest musicians.
Reader Votes: 0
Legendary Pink Dots
Plutonium BlondeRecord Label: ROIR
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 8
Disquieting platitudes from the sardonic seedy underbelly of pop music adoration. Edward Ka-Spel and crew spin tales of gothic disturbances that uproot and empower unknown musical pathways to your brain.
Reader Votes: 0
Willem Maker
Stars Fell OnRecord Label: Fat Possum Records
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 8
Bluesy rock torn from Turkey Heaven Mountain. Written, recorded and mixed entirely by the artist, this balls-out musical journey refuses to be neat and tidy, but shows off powerful reflexive expanses with the structure available.
Reader Votes: 0
Teddy Presberg
Blueprint of SoulRecord Label: Ropeadope Records
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 9
A flowing improvisational funk-jam experience created as a musical impression of Portland; all done in one take. Quite an impressive excursion into the instrumental psychedelic jam rock realm
Reader Votes: 0
Putumayo Presents
Acoustic ArabiaRecord Label: Putumayo World Music
Review published: September 2008
Rating: 7
Sandstorm powered acoustic grooves delight the senses and take us on subtle, laid back journeys through distant lands with a variety of Middle Eastern and North African artists including Les Orientales, Jamal Porto, and Zein Al-Jundi.
Reader Votes: 0
