February 2002 – Page 26 – Lollipop Magazine

James Mathus – National Antiseptic – Review

February 22, 2002

This guy formed the Squirrel Nut Zippers with his wife in the ’90s. I never knew he had blues guitar roots, but here they are.

Deceased – Behind the Mourner’s Veil – Review

February 22, 2002

Three excellent originals plus a video track (for a creepy Blair Witch-style tale) and covers of Tankard, Anthrax, D.R.I., and Warfare.

Very Introspective, Actually – A Tribute to Pet Shop Boys – Review

February 22, 2002

Just shy of 70 minutes of dark, mostly good keyboard-heavy covers of great pop tunes by a band somehow able to combine honest lyrics with dance beats.

This is Solid State – Volume 2 – Review

February 22, 2002

All of the sweaty, distortion masters of metal: Stretch Arm Strong, Blindside, and Born Blind balance out the equation by providing finger-pointing material.

Woven – EPrime – Review

February 22, 2002

Woven is the combination of musician know-how and electronic studio wizardry at its finest, sounding like Massive Attack and Squarepusher writing pop songs.

Death – Live in L.A. (Death and Raw) – Review

February 22, 2002

Brings a nostalgic smile to my face and a tear to my eye, hearing classics such as “Pull the Plug” and “Suicide Machine” up to newbie “Trapped in a Corner.”

The Keepers of Jericho – A Tribute to Helloween – Review

February 22, 2002

This Spanish label’s tribute is more elfish prancing, sissy squeals, and limp-noddle wagging than anything resembling “power metal” or “melodic speed metal.”

The Centre of the Universe – Book II – Review

February 22, 2002

Now known more for putting out angular, Chicago-meets-DC styled post-hardcore/indie rock than the powerpop they produce.

Sweet Emotion – Songs of Aerosmith – Review

February 22, 2002

Aerosmith’s take on the blues always had/has plenty of rhythmn/funk/boogie woogie fun as well as the bit of the dealin’ with the devil at the crossroads part.

Requiems of Revulsion – A Tribute to Carcass – Review

February 22, 2002

On Requiems of Revulsion, an army of bands pay homage to Carcass’ earlier material, noting that at least the mark was made.