Take the Press Quotes and Run #1
Lars Gotrich

I receive a massive amount of music between Tangzine and WUOG, and I simply do not have time to review it all in a lengthly manner. Taking my cue from Bandoppler, and Stomp and Stammer, a section devoted to short and to-the-point reviews seems long overdue. Thus, the creation of "Take the Press Quotes and Run." Why the title? It gives the PR companies the rare chance to get their one-liner.

Andrew WK- The Wolf
Island Records
Release Date: September 9, 2003

Big, stupid jock metal that makes me laugh, but in a good way. The Wolf is much more ballad-based and lacks in the high energy songs of I Get Wet, but still has fun. I can't vouch for WK's musical merit, but he loves rock n roll more than anyone I've ever seen live.

The Black-Eyed Snakes- Rise Up!
Chairkickers Music
Release Date: August 19, 2003

This is gloriously distorted, down and dirty blues-rock prime for foot-stompin'. The sophomore effort proves Alan Sparhawk (Low) really takes this band seriously with his uncharacteristic snarl-n-scream cowling through 12 tracks of unbridled blues. Maybe the contrast is cheap, but it's better than the Black Keys.

The Colemans- 5, 6, 7, 8 Dance
Velvet Blue Music
Release Date: August 2003

Here's a nice batch of punk-ish new-wave/trash-rock songs for the dance floor. Steph Coleman's vocal range is quite limited and sometimes can't quite hit the notes, but it works anyway. The best moments come when the guitar just balls-out rocks like on the title track and "The Path of Peace." "Hold On" would've fit perfectly on '80s pop/rock radio. The songs are very simple and while Steph's voice can sound a little held back, but I'm sure The Colemans could give you a shiner.

East West- Here in Anguish
Floodgate Records
Release Date: June 10, 2003

Are bands still playing nu-metal/post-grunge?

Grandaddy- Sumday
V2 Music
Release Date: May 13, 2003

You know, I like this, but it sounds so very much like The Flaming Lips playing Gram Parsons songs. It's true. Despite this minor setback, Grandaddy pulls out some fun pop songs ("El Caminos in the West" is on the money, yo).

Killing Joke- s/t
Zuma Recordings
Release Date: August 5, 2003

Wait, isn't that "Blood On Your Hands" guitar riff a straight rip-off of Foo Fighters' "All My Life"? Didn't the Killing Joke accuse Nirvana of stealing their songs? And isn't that David Grohl rocking the drums? Weird how it all comes full circle.

The Mars Volta- De-loused in the Comatorium
Universal Records
Release Date: June 24, 2003

You simply cannot deny the instrumental proficiency on De-loused. Every musician here is a virtuoso of his trade. The guitar lines echo the prog of Rush and the solo style of Carlos Santana in what is the natural progression of At the Drive-In. At moments I still hear ATDI rocking in the background ("Inertiatic ESP" comes to mind), but the band trails off into a free-jazz psychedelia with Cedric Bixler's incredible vocal range soaring overhead ("Roulette Dares (The Haunt of)"). The Mars Volta's jam-band tendencies, however, do get in the way on some tracks prolonging tired chord progressions ("Cicatriz ESP" is just too long at 12:29 minutes). But I have to give Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) a thumbs up on the production because the sonics are stellar.

Number One Gun- Celebrate Mistakes
Floodgate Records
Release Date: July 2003

Everything that needs to be said about this band can be summed up in its own words: "Right now I know that it never would've hurt to be here/ Right now I invest in you and me/ And it never would've hurt to be here." Jimmy Eat World harmonies and twinkling guitars full of saccharin.

Pernice Brothers- Yours, Mine, & Ours
Ashmont Records
Release Date: May 20, 2003

Yours, Mine, & Ours is extremely consistent. All the songs are very well-written, and I don't expect any less of Joe Pernice. However, I've always liked flaws because it gives character. I suppose the flaw here is that Y,M, & O is just a little too consistent. But you simply can't beat that lead-off track. I could play that sucka on repeat for hours.

The Raveonettes- Chain Gang of Love
Columbia Records
Release Date: August 25, 2003

Okay, so I gave Whip It On a second chance and it's a decent Jesus and the Mary Chain homage, but this... *snore* The music doesn't go anywhere and their voices feel so lifeless. But I'll admit that "Dirty Eyes (Sex Don't Sell)" mixes the '80s post-punk of JAMC and '50s pop quite well.

The Thrills- So Much for the City
Virgin Records
Release Date: May 27, 2003

The most pretentious recording I've heard all year... and I don't remotely like it.

posted 11.08.03

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Lars is a viking. He is also the music editor for Tangzine. E-mail him kisses at lars59@uga.edu

2003 White Elephant Productions