:: GussetBLOG ::

:: Saturday, April 07, 2007 ::

Reviewathon

I found two envelopes full of CDs for review in the post when I got back from Spain. I've finally worked my way through them and bring you my thoughts, for what they're worth.

Herman Dune - Giant (Source etc)

Amusing comedy singer/songwriter Herman Dune has got some good songs on here. It's not really sunk in very well yet, I'll be keeping this and playing it again. As far as comedy music goes it's not as witty as Jake Thackery or as absurd as Vivian Stanshall but sits comfortably in between. I particularly liked Bristol, not out of geographical bias but because it tells an intriguing story yet always holds off critical details and keeps the listener hanging on for more. This is contrasted by more reflective moments like When the Water gets Cold and Freezes on the Lake to produce a well rounded album full of good hooks.

Giant is out now on Source etc

The Mules – We're Good People (Organ Grinder Records)

This very '80s ska / Ian Dury sounding song gets two makeovers here. The CSS remix removes all of the subtlety of the cello and theremin that gave the radio edit the slightly disjointed sound of European bands like dEUS and instead bludgeons it with a funky bassline and bongos. Bongos! That's inexcusable! The Lights Odd People remix seems to thrive of Max/MSP glitchiness, pulls out the synth part nicely, and adds some great droning bass stabs. I really like this one and uncharceteristically played it again straight away. Going back to the original the lyrics don't really strike any chord with me and I'd rather hear something with a bit more social commentary. The Russian folk music / kozak aping b-side Problems With Exits invokes memories of seeing Leningrad Cowboys, which can only be a good thing. All good fun.

We're Good People is out now on Organ Grinder Records

Various – Ed Rec Vol.2 (Ed Banger Records)

This label sampler of electro, big beat and hip-hop influenced dance music contains its fair share of skippable tunes but also a couple of gems. One highlight is Busy P's Rainbow Man, which is a funky electro-techno floor filler that builds perfectly. It also uses delayed basslines to great effect. The other highlight, and this is sad in a way, is Mr Oizo's INTRA, which is the one-minute long opening guitar groove with vocoded voice samples that is the introduction to the rest of the contents. I was also surprised that nu-rave name droppers the Klaxtons come across well thanks to So Me's old-school sampling remix. In all I can't help but feel this would have been a better marketing tool if they had mixed it and given it away free online, letting the music speak for itself, rather than posting CDs to bloggers so they can write bollocks about it.

Both of the mentioned highlight tracks are on the Ed Bangers myspace

Ed Rec Vol.2 is out now on Ed Banger Records

Robyn – Robyn (Konichiwa Records)

Jesus, what the fuck is this? Yes, it's the '90s Swedish pop sensation, Robyn! I don't like the irritating slightly too girlish rapping voice used on the early tracks on this album, but as it progresses into more singing it gets even worse. There is some reasonable production that could perhaps stand-up on its own if allowed to progress and flourish a little more but that's only evidenced on a handful of tracks. The rap lyrics that don't suck are generally references / borrowed from elsewhere, and the rest of the song writing and imagery try desperately to follow Pink and Gwen Stefani without success. Having said all of that I quite like Cobrastyle for some reason, but I feel kind of dirty admitting it.

Robyn is out now on Konichiwa Records

Ash – You Can't Have it all (Infectious Records)

Sounds like Ash. The same old lame power-pop. The photography on the sleeve shows their characteristic rocking-out-to-tunes-that-don't-warrant-it poses, so no change there. Can you tell I don't like Ash?

There's a best of album too, Then & Now, just to remind you there were always this uninspiring. I'm sure all of these songs were written as cynical festival crowd pleasers. Girl From Mars in the only song here I can imagine leaving any lasting legacy, but they'll be laughing all the way to the bank none-the-less.

You Can't Have it all is release 16th April on Infectious Records
No confirmed release for Then & Now

Stateless – Exit (K7 records)

Massivly over orchestrated indie dirge that will probably end up over the closing credits of some disposable summer blockbuster movie later in the year. I suppose you might like it if you were into Air but felt they could do with a bigger sound, but if you're more of a Spiritualized person it'll be best avoided. Although you're going to hear it anyway.

Exit is released 23rd April on K7

Dragonette – I Get Around (Mercury Records)

Fairly standard club material here, I'd expect it to be a vinyl only release. I can imagine some big-mouth Radio 1 DJ getting unnecessarily excited about it. The Arthur Baker remix adds a much needed harder edge to it but then ruins it by falling into the trap of endlessly repeating a meaningless, slight smutty sounding, vocal snippet, in this case "here I come," in the way that people who listen to this sort of shit presumably like. Whenever I hear anything like this now my mind just overlays it with Cassette Boy's parody explaining how to "Suck the Corporate Cock." I found some of the other mixes could be made more interesting by tapping out a different rhythm on the search button so you could at least hear some variation in the now skittering beats.

I Get Around is released 23rd April on Mercury Records.

I'll be keeping the Herman Dune disk but if you'd like any of the others first to drop me a mail can have them.

Labels: Review

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