Kevin Mathews:
April,
2005

First quarter over, already?

Yikes!

Only nine months to do all the things I've planned for 2005. Attain financial freedom, get a few albums out, compose a couple of soundtracks, and write my book and so on…guess I better get this column done, huh?

Blurb-O-Rama: Disarmed & Fatuous

Relient K MMHMM (Gotee)
Sharp and edgy punk pop is the order of the day with Relient K and being a band of Christians, there is an uplifting element in its music that fits perfectly. A song like "Be My Escape" with its hyperactive, freewheeling vibe is simply irresistible and par for the course on *MMHMM*. And when the poignant "When I Go Down" comes on with its message of hope and encouragement, one understands the power of pop to make a difference & an impact in the lives of its listeners. Great stuff. www.gotee.com

Magnus Sleepwalker (Nefarious)
A unique sound and approach distinguishes Magnus. Sure, it's at it's most basic, indie rock (and dynamic at that too) but listen carefully to the chorus of "Drinking With Baron," and discern a Bacharachesque couplet or two (and the trumpet never hurts!). Or what about the jazz and folk inflections of "Inside Out"? Amidst the many twists and turns that Magnus takes over the course of this excellent album, a desire for artistic brilliance remains consistent even as the playfulness of tracks like "Behind the Eyes" belie this. Simply wonderful. www.magnusmusic.net

Sparkwood Jalopy Pop (Self released)
Bart Padar's Sparkwood has been compared with the late great Jellyfish. Which is a compliment but I suppose it is safe to say that Sparkwood is anything but derivative. Grounded in classic 60s/70s pop-rock styles, you will find easy references to the usual suspects of influences. Melodic, keyboard-driven rock, filled with vocal harmonies, punchy rhythms and a special vibe that perhaps only power pop fans can fully appreciate. www.sparkwood.com

Doves Some Cities (EMI)
The missing link between dance and rock? Electronica and indie? Perhaps. On their third album, Doves spread their wings somewhat to include northern soul ("Black and White Town"), cosmic shoegazing Americana ("Snowden") and haunting gospel ("Ambition"). The driving electronic rock remains intact of course but with Some Cities Doves demonstrate range and then some. Enthralling and thrilling. www.doves.net

Ripped Bloodshot (Sextant)
Every single day is an opportunity to discover exciting new bands with music and a sound that gives one that sparkle in the eyes, that spring in the step. Ripped's "Candi Divine" is pure girl-pop-punk delight ala Blondie/Go-Gos that will thrill anyone who is fortunate enough to listen to it. Throughout *Bloodshot*, Ripped straddles a range of styles that every earnest lover of pop-rock will well and truly dig. www.rippedmusic.com

The Fall The Real New Fall LP (Formerly Country on the Click) (Narnack)
Mark E. Smith circa 2005 is really no different from Mark E. Smith circa 1979. Well, maybe the lyrics are a tad more audible. Other than that, the curmudgeon of post-punk and the Fall remain true to his persona 26 years on. Which means, balls-to-the-wall punk rock & spew-fulls of vitriol as Smith lets loose on society, as usual. Brilliant. www.narnackrecords.com

Fire Apes Central Park Carousel (Kool Kat Musik)
You might say that Fire Apes is the quintessential power pop band and would be hailed as the next coming of the Beatles by the pop underground. And indeed, Fire Apes does a great job at evoking the heyday of the British Invasion. And whilst the band dabbles in new wave ska on "Five Inside" as a slight diversion, the rest of Central Park Carousel lacks a distinct identity Fire Apes can call its own. Don't get me wrong, it's a fairly competent power pop album, but these days, I believe more is required. www.fireapes.com

The Thornbirds All the Same (Warrior)
So it took me forever to get to the Thornbirds. And I'm sorry about that. Because there is something definitely going on here. It's edgy, it's witty and it rocks. I mean, any band that manages to bring together elements of XTC, the Police, Nirvana and Cheap Trick must be doing something right. www.thornbirds.net

Primitive Painters EP33 (Keeper)
This took me by surprise. A six-track EP that displays such excellent quality control that virtually every song is pegged at the highest level. Ranging from sludgy rock to sensitive acoustic ballads, the Primitive Painters demonstrates versatility, talent and a keen ear for what makes a song work. Let's hear more…

No Turn On Red Pieces of the Big Picture (Nu-Gold)
As strange as it may seem, the 80s New Romantic revival may have began right here right now with No Turn On Red. You've gotta admire the earnest bluster that the band invests in these songs. Not a tinge of irony in tracks like "Late Show Romeo" and "Angels in Heaven" as synthesizers sizzle and vocal histrionics reign supreme.

Babylon Mystery Orchestra On Earth As It Is In Heaven (Self released)
Not quite sure what to make of this but apparently On Earth is a heavy metal concept album based on the premise that rock music existed in the days of Noah! Yes, you read that right! Whatever you might think of the concept, I have to say that the music is hard to listen to. The music is sub-par and Johnson… well, just does not hold a tune. So my point is this, if the music can't hold my attention, why should I bother with the message? Sad but true.

Various Artists This Is Indie Rock: Volume Two (Deep Elm)
All right, one look at the CD sleeve and I assumed: emo-punk! Whatever that means, nowadays. Instead, Deep Elm has collected an assortment of bands and sounds that perhaps goes a long way to encapsulate the term "indie rock." Me? I personally liked it folky and/or soft (even slightly electro) and thus Sedona, Meredith Bragg and Bernard did the job for me. Still, overall a solid sampler.

That's it for now, folks, as I groove out to Graham Coxon's mighty "Freakin/out," which is the best Blur song in years! See you in thirty and keep those CDs coming!

_____________________________________________________________

To reach any other page contained in this month's update on Fufkin.com, read the home page for the appropriate link and click on it. You can also search the site from any page using the search box located at the top of each page. Merely type in the word, phrase, name of the band, recording, name of the Fufkin writer that you are looking for or Whatever in the search box, and then click on "Search". If you would like to e-mail us, go to the About Us page for a list of e-mail addresses.

Go back to the home page by clicking here

________________________________________________________________