Clubland

(Java/Capitol)
by Scott Hefflon

Seeing as it’s the soundtrack to a movie about what it takes for bands to “make it” in the L.A. music scene, it’s not surprising that this CD is good, diverse, and listenable from end-to-end, even if you don’t really like the style of a particular band. There’s not really a “see, this is the suck-ass band that exists in every city and goes the distance cuz they have the connections, not the talent” track, though some skate pretty close for those of us not into radio rock in the first place. From alternarock (many examples) to chick-fronted trip-hop to swirly pop to rappy shit to the kinda singer/songwriter indulgence that usually makes me wanna barf, it’s all here, in small, easily-digestible caplets.

Magic moments include the stripped-down pop/rap “Bi-Sexual Chick,” the Lilith Fair-y “Good Advice” (a song that rings true lyrically, but probably a whole album would ruin the quirky charm of its refreshing novelty), and the always welcome “I Used to Manage PM Dawn” by Block, but the cake goes to near-unknown Supple with their soothingly dark adaptation of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.” Supple should’ve been dark alterna-radio heroes years ago with “Dead Television” and “Cindy Crawford Can’t Cook,” but such is the way of the world. Check out this tune.