|
|
|
||||||||
Album reviews
Reviews of albums (which is the correct, non-medium specific term).
Reviews are on a 
to 
scale
The Misfits, "Static Age" (Caroline CAR 7520-1)
Just like the blast of an old Who record, hearing this will take you back in time. Never properly released when it was recorded (some of the tracks are on the "Beware" EP and other singles), these tracks are making their first separate appearance. (The album was included as a "bonus" in the Misfits CD box set from a while back.)
"STATIC! STATIC! STATIC!" screams Glen as the classic first track "Static Age" blasts out of the speakers -- and I was taken to back to the days when punk was more than Green Day. "THIS IS A STATIC AGE WE LIVE IN!" This record cuts through the static, as blasts of punk rock wash over you -- and the clock rolls back to 1978. A great time travel machine, this is.
(Apparently, the first pressings of this record are available in three limited colors [red, yellow & purple], as well as the black version that will be in print as long as the record is.)
Red Snapper, "Prince Blimey" (WARP LP45, 2 x LP)
Clocking in at about 30 minutes per LP, this is the closest thing to totally live hip-hop that I've heard. While there are still some samples mixed in for accents, all the instrumentation is live (as far as I can tell). The rhythm section features a very sinuous double bass player (Ali Friend from the credits) and a great (almost jazzy) drummer (Richard Thair). The guitar playing (by David Ayers) is appropriately understated.
Many of the songs on the album bring images to mind. The first cut on side 2, "Get Some Sleep Tiger," reminds me of James Bond films with its horn work and energetic pace. Others (in small sections) remind me of very early (Syd Barrett era) Pink Floyd.
All in all, I think that if you like groups like Little Axe (a great On-U Sound production) and maybe even if you like Martin, Madeski & Wood, I think you'll like this record.
PS: like any normal human being, I certainly enjoy getting free stuff in the mail. Send promos, review copies, whatever you want to call it, to:
Brian Grenz 15 South 1st Sreet #1514A Minneapolis, MN 55401