October 1996 – Page 5 – Lollipop Magazine

Iced Earth – The Dark Saga – Review

October 1, 1996

Iced Earth return with a strong melodic metal release, The Dark Saga, based entirely on the comic book Spawn, with cover artwork by creator Todd McFarlane.

Hope Factory – “Drinking Song” / “Imaginary” – Review

October 1, 1996

This one’s a poppy, Cure-ish distorto-jangle rock thing. Fairly decent pop rock, but not much substance.

AFI – AFI / Heckle split – Review

October 1, 1996

Heckle pays homage to the Clash like their coverboy counterparts Rancid, with gruffer vocals. The other tracks play the same with more speed and less melody.

Gouds Thumb – Review

October 1, 1996

They’re great at what they do. What they do, however, is verge on Silverchair territory. And Silverchair will always be second rate to me.

Goober Patrol – Vacation – Review

October 1, 1996

I guess we all have to face it: pop punk isn’t going away just yet. But these guys seem quite sincere and the songs are fun, so stop being such a snob!

Foreskin 500 – Starbent But Superfreaked – Review

October 1, 1996

Wondered what Al Jourgensen would sound like crooning Bowie-style through a phaser over an early Beastie Boys beat and a Purple Rain synth? Keep wondering…

Engine 88 – Engine 88 / American Sensei split – Review

October 1, 1996

This 7″ is misleading. I was thinking of electric futuristic, Kraftwerk type music, not this bland, everyday radio fodder.

Emily’s Sassy Lime – Desperate, Scared, But Social – Review

October 1, 1996

They render the riot grrrl ethic to understatement. Cutesy garage that won’t offend anyone but sound engineers was never the point.

Eels – Beautiful Freak – Review

October 1, 1996

It kicks off with a suite of five pretty impressive songs. The stop-start rhythms and kitchen-sink arrangement of “Novocaine For the Soul” are entertaining.

Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute – Review

October 1, 1996

It brings music’s royalty together for a tribute to Honor an artist we have lost, celebrate his life, and the music he served with it.