Old Reviews
GREG GRANT (Bisbe Street)

Jon says: If you are a fan of the Night Court TV theme, than this is for you! There are instrumentals galore, inspired mainly by Greg's tenure as a street musician in Barcelona, Spain. With titles like "Mountains, Rain, Poverty" and "Tears for marseille" one has to thank Greg for not adding lyrics. The playing is top-notch, and the Cd has a professional sound. I am not a jazz fan. I am not an instrumental fan. I really don't like any emphasis being put on a saxophone. So Greg didn't really stand a chance with me. If those ingredients interest you, check it out...

Bobbie and Olivia not available.

Contact Band at:
See original Greg Grant review for band details

MUSTH

Jon says: This is the third offering Greg Grant has sent me. I have to give this guy major credit for allowing me to review more of his music. That said, "musth" is my favorite of the Cd's he has sent me. The music is like a soundtrack to an old Bombay action movie. Titles like "Nightfall for India" "Midnight Caravan" and "Walking the Dunes" should give you an idea of what these guys were up to. The Cd notes tell us that MUSTH is sanskrit for "hilarity" "rapture" "excitement" "sexual enjoyment" "lust" and "inspiration". I prefer to imagine a cheaply made black and white action movie from Bombay. The Cd notes also let us know that this album was completely improvised, which leads into Bobbie's comments....

Bobbie says: "They made this up on the spot?"

Olivia says: "Do you like it?" (in response to my question "Do you like this?")

Contact MUSTH at:
PO box 191, Fortline, MT 59918

May 2002

ORANGE BEAUTIES (Relax with...)

Jon says: This CD starts out promisingly with a song called 'Horsey'. It's a trippy wall of guitars pop song that I have actually listened to a few times (generally I don't put these cd's back in for a repeated listening). The next four songs are mostly competent, slightly boring filler. The Cd rebounds on the last track, a country flavored song entitled 'Cemetery White'. This song took me by surprise. Its harmonica solo and thoughtful lyrics seem out of place, but in a good way.

Bobbie says: I like the country song.

Olivia is nearly 2 and a half years old. She has entered a "I don't want to listen to Daddy's music phase".

Contact Band at:
www.washroomrecordings.com or
washroom@earthlink.net


EXPLODING HEAD (Into the Ether)

Jon Says: Another CD from the group at Washroom Recordings. Since they all came in the same batch, I can't help but compare the three Cd's they sent me (Orange Beauties, Exploding Head and Electramone). This Cd is pretty solid from start to finish. It is a huge improvement on the Electramone Cd, which features some of the same players. The melodies are mostly hummable, the playing is extremely capable. "Gigantic Time" recalls the Pixies in sound and title. The other tracks tread similar sonic territory. This is a good cd, I'd put it in for another listen.

Bobbie says: not available.

Contact Band at:
www.washroomrecordings.com

ELECTRAMONE (Proud)

Jon says: Lets start with the positive..."Drawn to lightning" features interesting lyrics..."I've been drawn to the lightning, I've been warned by the back of your hand" The tune itself is solid, but the production is spotty, the guitars don't sound quite right. Actually, that was one problem I had with the whole Cd, the guitar sound is annoying (which may just be a personal thing, listen to it yourself). The rest of the songs do not have a lot to offer. The songs are forgettable, some of the singing is suspect, and the production is poor. I wouldn't judge if I wasnt perfect myself. Some of the same players are involved with 'Exploding Head' That's the album I would suggest checking out.

Contact Band at:
www.washroomrecordings.com


APRIL 2002 REVIEWS

NEW BETHEL (songs about them)

Jon says:
Tuneful lo-fi pop music. Better than 90% of what I have received in the mail previously. new bethel sound like early pavement mixed with a subdued X. "songs about them" moves along nicely. The subtle organ is a nice touch.

Bobbie says:
I like it. I have no idea what they are singing about. I like the harmony.

Olivia:
Olivia stopped playing with her doll house and danced to the music. (honestly).

Contact Band at:
dirigeable records
3719 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
PMB 231
Portland, OR 97214

BEN (WOOL)

Jon says:
Perhaps I'll have to change my site name. I have to admit I enjoyed this cd. The title track, "wool", is the catchiest. The first time I listened to it I thought it was clever. By the third time I listened I was humming the damn thing all day long. Ween alums Dean Ween and Andrew Weiss both guest on a couple tunes. I guess the best way to describe BEN's music is a cross between Ween and classic Kinks (with an emphasis on piano). If you like either of those artists you will probably enjoy this. I did.

Bobbie says:
This is really good. Very catchy. It makes you want to listen to the lyrics.

Olivia says:
Olivia was very interested in the cd cover. She responded "no" when I asked her if she would like to hear another song.

Contact Ben at:
benbenben@excite.com


BLAKE THOMAS
GONE

Jon says:
Ok, so here is something I am not particularly fond of. There is nothing really wrong with this disc. The first song, "Oh, Georgia" starts off nicely. Fans of alt-country may enjoy this. I myself am a big fan, but this just didn't do it for me. It is hard to pin point what is missing. The songs are well produced, well sung, etc. The lyrics feel like a twenty-something singer songwriter trying to write with the wisdom of merle haggard....which is not an easy task. Perhaps Blake Thomas will find his voice, I would be interested in hearing his next offering. There is definetly an emerging talent working here.

Bobbie was not available for comment.

Olivia refused to listen.

Contact Blake Thomas at:
Apotheosis Records
geocities.com/apotheosisrecs


BYRON THE BULB
THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE EP

Jon says:
Here is an interesting album. There are hooks and melodies on this disc that are really quite inventive. The first thing that came to mind was, Guided by Voices. The similarities are undeniable. I then read the bands bio. There they list Voices as one of their influences. After my first listen I thought this disc could be really good with a little production. Maybe its my problem that I can't get past some of the poor sound quality, percussion errors, and sometimes borderline singing. There are moments on this disc when it all comes together in an almost falling apart sort of manner. There are some really good songs on this EP. "The Baron in the trees" is one of the most polished, but the singing is slightly annoying. An english accent comes and goes throughout the disc, which is sort of endearing. My favorite track was "Protocol of the elders of the ancient and accepted society" This could have come off any early 90's Guided by Voices disc, and that is a compliment. I hope I get another disc by these guys, and maybe that speaks more than my review.

Bobbie says:
What is with that singing. (It should be noted that Bobbie is not a fan of "lo-fi" production)

Olivia was not available for comment.

Contact Byron the bulb at:
geocities.com/apotheosisrecs
or byronthebulb@hotmail.com

GREG GRANT
AFTER THE CRASH

This is a disc I would never listen to again. That may be because of my own shortcomings. Fans of Dave Matthews (which I am not) may enjoy this. It is a mostly acoustic album featuring Greg and his musings on love, loving and being lonely (because of love). Greg is an excellent guitar player, and the production on this disc is superb. The best thing about it for me is the picture on the back of the case. Apparently this album was recorded in an off the grid, solar-powered studio built with straw bales. One can only imagine Ed Begley Jr. slumped over the mixing board. Part of me feels that Greg is getting an unfair review, because I'm not sure what he could do to improve this disc. It's just not the sort of thing I would listen to.....

Bobbie and Olivia were not around.

Contact Greg at:
alteredstaterecords.com