Brothers Grimm – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s – Review November 1, 1994 Brothers Grimm, whose rap track, “Where the Wild Things Are,” is not indefensible musically, but stylistically, WHAAA?!?!?
Vision Thing – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 Vision Thing, on it’s voyage from Reworked Roots Rock to Goth/Ethereal, got stuck on a siding just this side of Interesting.
Brainiac – with Jawbox at The Middle East Cafe – Review November 1, 1994 They scared me, they confused me, and finally, they impressed me. Noise, innovation, and a blatant two-thumbs-up from the crowd.
St. Chimerae – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 The St. Chimerae track, “Midnight,” is a bit too self-conscious and studied for my tastes.
Bob Dylan – at the Orpheum – Review November 1, 1994 The renditions of his most popular songs were far different from the recorded originals, yet arguably just as good.
Sirensong – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 Michelle Poppleton has a beautiful Sinead O’Connor-like voice, but without the annoying condescension and with even more lyrical lilt.
Orbit – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 They’re pleasantly pop but with enough eccentricity in mood and rhythm to be pretty interesting.
Opium Den – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 I’m disappointed to be unable to say anything spectacular about Opium Den and Curious Ritual, who are two of the best bands around in the Goth/ethereal style.
One of Us – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 Although John Creeden’s vocal style doesn’t do much for me on CD, their rhythm section has an insidiousness that worked well.
Mistle Thrush – at the Soon Release Party at The Middle East Cafe and T.T. the Bear’s Place – Review November 1, 1994 Mistle Thrush’s performance at T.T.’s was not as thrilling as I’d expected, but their track, “Beyond Reach” travels a compelling path.