Reviews of new releases from Habib Koité, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Corrina Repp.   Corrina Repp The Other Side is Mud (Hush) Of related interest: The State Flowers, Will Oldham, Beth Orton's acoustic side Portland songstress Corrina Repp titled her last release A Boat Called Hope; now, she's on to The Other Side is Mud. Though she hasn't traded in optimism for absolute darkness, there is a distinct shift toward the bleak, as Mud's seven songs detail the age-old theme of relationships ending. To this well-worn ground, Repp brings her own knack, marrying subtle contradictions in purely natural ways. In fact, the salient quality of Repp's work is her shy confidence. On many of the songs, the narrator is in a lonely place but ultimately finds solace within, seeing she is stronger than the failed love. "We found out you didn't need me, and I didn't need you/It was just too perfect to trust," she asserts in "April Fool." Repp's deep, textured voice rings with honesty as she stretches her style to find fresh nuance and emotion. Organs and harmonicas join the soft acoustic guitars, and Repp has traded some of the folk elements for a quiet country sound. With this assured effort, Repp proves herself an artist who has only just begun to explore life's varied, rugged shores. Jamie S. Rich   Echo and the Bunnymen What Are You Going to Do with Your Life? (WEA/Sire) Of related interest: Ian McCulloch's solo work, Will Sergeant, Balcony Dogs With What Are You Going to Do with Your Life? Echo and the Bunnymen prove that the sum of a 20-year career, breakups, death, drug habits and memorable arrogance can be more than just another episode of Behind the Music. Instead of resting on their solid musical laurels, the Bunnymen unveil a brief, evocative record fit to delight the faithful and dismay the critics. Waltzing between wistful resignation and arms-wide-open optimism, vocalist and mastermind Ian McCulloch answers the provocative question posed in the title track with an uncompromising "I'm gonna be me." He keeps his word, pouring his soul into pensive, imagistic lyrics and resting the whole package on the strength of his remarkable voice. Whether backed by lively brass or a lone piano, McCulloch's low, mellow voice is the aural equivalent of a good brandy, slightly warmed by a roaring fire. In fact, What Are You Going to Do...? would go well with a drink and possibly a pack of cheap cigarettes. This is an album to love, to hum to yourself in the dark--the perfect soundtrack for staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out what it all means. Cila Warncke   Habib Koité & Bamada Muso Ko (Alula Records) Of related interest: Ali Farka Touré, Mama Sissoko, Alpha Yaya Diallo With its dazzling variety of musical styles and traditions, West Africa has rightfully become one of the biggest contributors to that curious category known as "world music." Mali, in particular, has given much to the West, including best-known import Ali Farka Touré and the extraordinarily talented Habib Koité. Fans will undoubtedly be pleased by Putumayo's recent release of Koité's second album, Ma Ya, but they will surely be even more grateful to the small North Carolina label Alula for putting out Muso Ko, his first. Muso Ko clearly exemplifies the skills of Koité, whose classical training pushed him to eschew traditional African thumb-and-forefinger picking and use every finger of his right hand. While this innovation adds texture to his songs, Koité remains firmly bound to the profound history of Malian music. Along with his band, Bamada ("Mouth of the Crocodile"), he combines drums and bass with balafon, djembe and other West African instruments to produce songs dealing with subjects such as prostitution, the need to preserve a cohesive national identity and the dangers of cigarettes. These topical, compelling songs are a powerful reminder that an African artist can sell to the West without selling out. Jonathan Morrow - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Willamette Week | originally published August 11, 1999