The Orange Alabaster Mushroom – Space and Time: A Compendium Of – Review March 1, 2002 For those of you obsessed with Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and the Nuggets boxes on Rhino, boy have I got something for you.
The Witch Hazel Sound – This World, Then the Fireworks – Review March 1, 2002 Orchestral in its sweep, this brings to mind the lush, string-driven pop of Burt Bacharach and ’70s AM pop songs like Todd Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me.”
The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Bravery Repetition and Noise – Review March 1, 2002 TBJM are quite set on emulating their ’60s rock heroes, and they’re not above blatantly stealing a riff or two to do it.
The Botswanas – Fade and You’re Gone – Review March 1, 2002 Their bio writer thinks they sound tough. The average Botswanan would probably not think so. I say: “Sounds like The Pretenders with lousy lyrics.”
Thee Michelle Gun Elephant – Collection – Review March 1, 2002 They’re not copyists like lotsa other Japanese bands, so they come out smellin’ nasty like a packed club and they’re tight enough to pull off rockin’ frenzy.
Owen – Review March 1, 2002 Owen is Mike Kinsella’s first solo record, finding the multi-instrumentalist handling all songwriting and performance duties by himself.
Ellis Paul – Sweet Mistakes – Review March 1, 2002 10 “sleepers” Ellis used to drag out only for concerts, plus a remix of the catchy “3,000 Miles” and the gleaming “Sweet Mistakes.”
Cry Baby Cry – Jesus Loves Stacey – Review March 1, 2002 Cry Baby Cry sound like rock’n’roll’s glorious past and still are original.
Silver Tongued Devil – Red-Eyed and Tongue-Tied – Review February 22, 2002 Pretty okay stuff in that Motörhead to Zeke to Nashville Pussy stripbar strip-mined vein. Supersonic whoop-ass is what these guys are all about.
Bis – Music for a Stranger World – Review February 22, 2002 Bis presents a techno-pop universe of huggable electronic harmonies laced with socio-political messages buzzing neon between the notes.