|
The Impossible World Combustible Edison (Sub Pop) Of related interest: Esquivel, Martin Denny, Pink Martini Combustible
Edison The phrase "cocktail nation" elicits a groan I usually reserve for tiki-bar hangovers and Gap khakis commercials, but Combustible Edison rises above an overblown trend on The Impossible World. With the finesse of a skilled bartender (and some help from British dubmaster Scanner), these Bostonites blend two parts island fantasy, one part space pop and a dash of spaghetti western. Miss Lily Banquette's vocals form the nucleus of this easy-listening universe on most tracks, describing exotic locales ("Utopia") one minute and crooning wordlessly the next as if to calm the sci-fi effects ("Call of the Space Siren"). The moody "Seduction" is fitting for James Bond, and the entire album would be the perfect complement to the luxurious fabrics and sexy swagger of models on a Milanese runway (are you listening, Armani?). I still think cigars reek, I've never liked martinis, and I'll take the real F-word over "fabulous" any day, but The Impossible World is a genuine pleasure I won't deny. Liz Brown
Wide Swing Tremolo Son Volt (Warner Bros.) Of related interest: Springsteen's Nebraska, Neil Young's Rust Never Sleeps, Uncle Tupelo Son Volt,
Andrew DuPlantis After its first two albums, critics and fans had painted Son Volt into a country-rock corner. "Straightface," the opening song off Son Volt's third and latest album, suggests that the Midwestern band has ditched the hay and corn quotients and revved up the rock. But mop-topped frontman Jay Farrar couldn't hold back the twang for long. With the Lynyrd Skynyrd bug out of its system, Son Volt kicks the mud off its boots and settles into a 13-song tailspin of tunes best suited for America's scenic taverns, truck-stops and interstates. Songs like "Medicine Hat" and "Right on Through" ride a wistful strain of pure heartland music. The waltzing "Streets That Time Walks" recalls an era when WalMart was still four counties away and a Sunday morning meant waking up to the smell of buttermilk pancakes. After three solid albums, Son Volt can be dutifully relied upon to deliver robust melodies, structures and style, but when it comes right down to it, Jay Farrar's salt-of-the-earth voice carries the crown. Alyssa Isenstein
Slam: The Soundtrack Various Artists (Immortal) Of related interest: New York City hip-hop This joint is hot. Every sound that hip-hop has contributed to current music trends can be heard on the Slam soundtrack. The jiggy beats, ambience, thug tales and dome-bustin' existentialist lessons of the 5 Percent (an offshoot of the Nation of Islam) blend into a succulent flavor. Add in the spoken-word pieces from the movie, and the testament is complete. Poets Saul Williams, Jerome Goldman and Sonja Sohn vigorously speak on the issues plaguing the minds and communities of Black people. The MCs give the closing argument, demonstrating the versatility of hip-hop. Big Baby Jesus and Coolio get down on the space-aged funk of "The Park." KRS-One's mellow, tripped-out beat "Ocean Within" slowly envelops the head with Saul Williams' ill chanting. Noreaga gives up a hard verse on "Thug Poetry," while his Queens mates in Mobb Deep get real with "Feel My Gat Blow." A comprehensive hip-hop joint wouldn't be complete without contributions by both the Gods and the Earths, the men and women of the 5 Percent: Brand Nubian do the knowledge on "Time Is Running Out"; Tekitha and Cappadonna's "I Can See" issues a deadly challenge to the conservative right. Of course, soundtracks have inconsistent moments, and the Flipmode Squad, Black Rob and DJ Spooky provide them. But that still leaves 16 tracks to enjoy. H.V. Claytor Jr. - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
