Album Reviews
HILKEN MANCINI AND CHRIS COLBURN
Hilken Mancini and Chris Colburn
(Kimchee)
This pair is Boston alt.rock royalty, as Mancini fronted underrated power pop act Fuzzy and Colburn's been holding down the bottom in Buffalo Tom for almost two decades. The duo record is exactly what you'd expect from such a meeting of the minds: a set of melodic, heartfelt rockers, ballads and pop songs. Both Mancini and Colburn have many years of experience setting their feelings to music to which anyone can relate, and it shows in strong tunes like "Life is a Trick," "Wedding Cake" and "Party Town." Not just for fans of the parent bands, Hilken Mancini and Chris Colburn should bring a smile to the face of anyone with a jones for good guitar pop. Lance Looper [buy it]
RICH MCCULLEY
Far From My Angel
(Rich McCulley)
Rich McCulley is a rock guitarist with blues sensibilities. This record is even-keeled, anchored by steady beats and McCulley's relaxing vocals. The songs are personal, love gone wrong, et cetera, et cetera. But his playing is the highlight of the disc, leaving me to wonder how good his act must be live. There is also a good amount of pop in this record, catchy hooks and melodies that kept it in my player for much longer than expected. Lance Looper [buy it]
MINSK
Out of a Center which is Neither Dead nor Alive
(At a Loss)
We've all heard the phrase "But will it play in Peoria?" This skyscraper-crushing quintet answers that question, since it hails from said city. Minsk wields its huge wall of pounding, feedback-laced crungola with shocking finesse, knowing exactly when to take a break from swinging the hammer and pour a dump truck full of mud on its victim instead. Vokills range from defiant roars to painful shrieks to keening sighs to menacing mutters; the tone remains relentlessly grim and dark throughout. Is there such a thing as progressive black stoner doom? Minsk makes music for cleansing your skull with Drano. Michael Toland [buy it]
THE M'S
Future Women
(Polyvinyl)
Future Women is the second album from Midwesterners the M's. Part retro pop and part polished rock, Future Women is a pretty good showcase for the band. Each track is different, from the very melodious "Shawnee Dupree" to the very Yellow Submarine-like "Going Over It." The Chicago quartet has put together a pretty energetic record with a little bit of a garage band sound. If the British invasion sound excites you, this is a disc you should probably pick up. You likely will not be disappointed. Lance Looper
THE PETITIONERS
The Petitioners
(Rudyland)
This bi-coastal power trio seemingly worships everything 70s; dry, muffled production, big rawk riffs and deliberately rumbling metal melodies proclaim a love for Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer and a host of early 70s bands that never made it into the history books. Plus the record is available only on vinyl. But the satirical lyrics ("Sweden" skewers black metal, "Over 30 [Need Not Apply]" takes on the youth-driven music industry, "Heaven's Gate," "Toothpick" and "Whoa, Architecture" pay tribute to the titular shout-outs) and choice of covers (Roky Erickson's "Creature With the Atom Brain" and Manitoba's Wild Kingdom's "Speedball," both from the 80s) reveal a more modern mindset at work. Don't forget to check out the list of rejected titles for the album on the inside sleeve. Michael Toland
THE RADIO REELERS
The Next Best Thing
(Dead Beat)
Not quite punk, not really roots rock, sounding too influenced by the Jam and the Ramones to really be a garage rock throwback, the Radio Reelers bang out ten nuggets of timeless, trashy rock & roll on The Next Best Thing. Like the Devil Dogs with less irony or the Real Kids with more anarchy, the Reelers effortlessly entertain with high-energy, low-maintenance tracks like "Criminal Mind," "Silver Ball" and the title tune. Ties to Tucson garage punks the Fells add some extra credibility, but this band doesn't need anything to validate its worldview but its own crackling hot talent. Michael Toland
RED LIGHTNING
L.A. Crash Landing
(Red Lightning)
A trio led by Morrissey guitarist Alain Whyte, Red Lightning calls to mind the glory days of 80s underground guitar pop on its brief debut album. Whyte's catchy melodies, clean vocals and bright hooks give tunes like "Black Dog Day," "Something Out of Nothing" and "Stuck" instant appeal Best of all, this sounds little like Whyte's employer, so those concerned that Morrissey's arch solipsism bleeds into Red Lightning worry needlessly. Michael Toland
TODD RUNDGREN
Best of Todd Rundgren Live
(Sanctuary)
Sort of a follow-up to Rundgren's classic 70s live record Back to the Bars, Best of Todd Rundgren Live features performances of his best-known tunes from various tours. Most of the performances come from the early 90s, but there are a couple ("Soul Brother," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps") from his most recent jaunt, a pair ("I Saw the Light" and "Love is the Answer") from the infamous A Cappella tour in 1985 and one track ("It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference") from 1979. I'm a bit disappointed that the A Cappella cuts aren't completely instrument-free, though the piano-and-choir version of "Love is the Answer" is really nice . But otherwise, given Rundgren's typically strong performances, this is a treat for fans and a good jumping-on point for neophytes. Michael Toland [buy it]
