Laika

Sounds of the Satellites (Sire)
by Bob Ham

As much as I tried to like this CD, I couldn’t. It had all the credentials: The band consists of ex-Moonshake member Margaret Fielder and excellent producer Guy Fixsen, whose credits include The Breeders, MBV, and Air Miami. There’s just something about this album that doesn’t sit right with me. The music is highly unoriginal laid-back dance grooves (leaning too much towards Portishead territory) and the lyrics have no real punch either. Hell, you know any band’s in trouble when their record company touts the fact that they will only be holding a “major support slot” on tour this winter.
(www.toopure.com)