The Simpsons – Songs in the Key of Springfield – Review March 1, 1998 From Reverend Lovejoy’s “In-a-gadda-da-vida,” Tito Puente’s infectious salsa about “Señor Burns,” the Kwik-E-Mart epic, to the “Itchy & Scratchy” theme.
Therion – A’arab Zaraq Lucid Dreaming – Review March 1, 1998 Split between a rock album (with covers) combined with leftovers from the Theli sessions and material intended as a soundtrack to a Swedish art film.
The Posies – Success – Review March 1, 1998 They have crawled back to their childhood home (their original label) to gasp out a final course of high-quality pop songs, and then expire.
Wnico – Bon Voyage – Review December 1, 1997 Wnico hail from the Bad Brains school of rock, mixing aggro punk, hip hop, reggae, and dub all on the same disc.
White Hassle – National Chain – Review December 1, 1997 Listen as two members of Railroad Jerk (Marcellus Hall and Dave Varenka) take it to the backwoods for some blues/country skronk!
Ween – The Mollusk – Review December 1, 1997 The songs are smooth to the point of cheesy. Then slowly light dawned over Marble Head: this is Ween’s ’80s tribute record.
The Tonics – Looking For the Good Times – Review December 1, 1997 Retro-ranting from five stompin’ Canucks who bang out the big beat like it was 1966 and cover Neil Diamond and Billy Childish and do ’em both justice.
The Nixons – Review December 1, 1997 The Nixons simply continue blending deep guitar grooves with drums that pop in your mouth and echo in your throat and ears.
Television Personalities – They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles – Review December 1, 1997 A reissue of a nostalgia act, which makes it double-retro, alongside Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” video and the impending big-screen re-release of Grease.
Symposium – Review December 1, 1997 British popcore? It’s the sound of Brit-punk becoming more like American hardcore and punk, yet keeping the pop vocals and accents.