Luscious Jackson are comfortable enough in their funky, city-voiced altos to slide smooth and warm as viscous smiles down a chewing gum-funky sidewalk.
Among those involved in improving the songs are KMFDM, Critter, Chris Vrenna (ex-NIN), God Lives Underwater, and Frankie Bones. Not an essential album.
While they’re not a lot different from everyone else playing pop/punk these days, “Dork” is a song I’ll be playing and putting on mixed tapes for friends.
Minneapolis’ Likehell have their fingers in a couple pies, since “metal” has been the adjective tagged on them almost as much as “sounds kinda like Weezer.”
Layered, belted-out female vocals punctuated by a growling guy. It’s not Goth enough to be Goth, and not brutal enough to be metal. Your parents will like it.